GCLDGIAC Cloud Security Essentials
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What is GCLD?
The GCLD certifies the ability to implement preventive, detective, and reactionary techniques to defend cloud-based workloads. The exam covers assessing the similarities, differences, and challenges of different cloud service providers, planning, deploying, hardening, and securing single and multi-cloud environments, and basic cloud resource auditing, security assessment, and incident response. According to GIAC it addresses security engineers, analysts, managers and auditors, system administrators, risk managers, and anyone responsible for securing cloud environments.
Quick facts
Cost, prerequisites, exam & renewal
Cost over 5 years
Prerequisites
No formal prerequisites. Associated SANS course strongly recommended.
Exam format
Renewal & maintenance
Valid for 4 years. Renewal via 36 CPE credits or renewal exam (499 USD). Each GIAC cert separate.
CertMap score and matching roles
Rating
Matching NICE roles
More certifications
From GIAC
GAIPSGIAC AI Platform SecurityGAIPTGIAC AI Penetration TesterGASAEGIAC AI Security Automation EngineerGASFGIAC Advanced Smartphone ForensicsGAWNGIAC Assessing Wireless NetworksGBFAGIAC Battlefield Forensics and AcquisitionIn Cloud Security
CCSP(ISC)2 Certified Cloud Security ProfessionalCSA CCSKCloud Security Alliance Certificate of Cloud Security KnowledgeGCSAGIAC Cloud Security AutomationGCTDGIAC Cloud Threat DetectionGPCSGIAC Public Cloud SecurityPECB Lead Cloud Security ManagerPECB Certified Lead Cloud Security Manager
Personal consulting
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Personal strategy instead of weeks of self-research. Vendor-independent, with auditable recommendations and transparent sources.
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