This blog was originally published on August 19, 2021 and updated on March 19, 2025.
The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, with new threats emerging daily. To stay ahead, professionals need more than just theoretical knowledge—they need real-world skills that can be applied immediately in critical situations. That’s where hands-on, performance-based testing comes in.
Moving Beyond Multiple-Choice Testing
Many traditional certification exams rely solely on multiple-choice questions that assess memorization rather than practical skills. However, Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) exams have always gone beyond that, incorporating higher-order cognitive assessments using artifacts and exhibits to evaluate theory, skills, and analysis. This approach has earned GIAC a long-standing reputation for relevance and rigor in the cybersecurity industry.
Over the years, we have continually enhanced our most technical certifications with CyberLive, a hands-on testing component. Today, GIAC stands at the forefront of performance-based testing. With CyberLive, we assess and validate advanced, real-world, multi-step skills, problem-solving abilities, and technical expertise at an unprecedented depth. By blending the best elements of multiple-choice and hands-on assessment, GIAC exams ensure a comprehensive and effective measure of cybersecurity competency.
What is CyberLive?
CyberLive is a hands-on, real-world assessment that immerses candidates in scenarios mirroring the challenges faced by cybersecurity professionals. Unlike simulated environments, CyberLive exams provide direct interaction with live systems, tools, and networks. This approach allows individuals to demonstrate their ability to detect threats, analyze vulnerabilities, and respond to incidents as they would in an actual cybersecurity role.
“CyberLive is a game changer in the certification world. The virtualized environment emulates the real world, forcing the candidate to demonstrate hands-on practical knowledge that can't be faked.”
- Matt Swenson, SVP and Deputy General Manager of Operations and Security Services @ Center for Internet Security, Holder of 13 Active GIAC Certifications
GIAC's Hands-On Cybersecurity Exams
GIAC exams ensure that cybersecurity professionals demonstrate real-world skills, not just theoretical knowledge. To achieve this, GIAC offers two types of hands-on testing through CyberLive:
- GIAC Practitioner Exams – These exams combine traditional multiple-choice questions with CyberLive-based challenges, requiring candidates to apply their knowledge in practical scenarios.
- GIAC Applied Knowledge Exams – Designed for top-tier cybersecurity specialists, these 100% hands-on, CyberLive-based exams set a new standard in performance-based certification. Inspired by GIAC’s prestigious GSE certification, Applied Knowledge Exams push candidates beyond our Practitioner Series, requiring them to solve complex real-world security challenges in live environments.
A key advantage of GIAC’s hands-on exams is that they allow for creative problem-solving, with multiple ways to approach and resolve challenges—just like in real-world cybersecurity operations. Both exam types provide a rigorous, skills-driven evaluation, ensuring professionals are truly prepared for today’s cybersecurity threats.
Why Hands-On Testing Matters
- Proves Real-World Competency – Hands-on assessments validate not only what a candidate knows but also how they apply that knowledge in practical situations. This ensures that certified professionals are truly job-ready.
- Bridges the Skills Gap – Organizations are struggling to find skilled cybersecurity professionals. Performance-based testing ensures that certified individuals possess the hands-on experience necessary to succeed in the field.
- Enhances Employer Confidence – Employers can trust that a candidate with a hands-on certification has demonstrated real-world problem-solving skills, reducing the need for extensive on-the-job training.
- Reflects Modern Cyber Challenges – Cyber threats are constantly changing. Practical testing ensures that candidates are tested against realistic attack scenarios, making them more effective in responding to emerging threats.
Preparing for a Hands-On Certification Exam
Because hands-on, real-world testing goes beyond memorization, preparing for these exams requires a different approach than traditional multiple-choice tests. Here’s how to get ready:
- Gain Practical Experience – Work with real tools, systems, and security scenarios. If you took a course, utilize the labs provided to reinforce key concepts in a structured environment. If you're self-studying, set up a home lab or use cloud-based environments to practice security tasks and simulate real-world challenges.
- Take a Practice Test – One of the best ways to prepare is to take a practice test. Most GIAC certification candidates receive two practice tests with their purchase, or they have the option to buy an additional one separately. These practice tests simulate the real exam experience, allowing candidates to assess their readiness, identify knowledge gaps, and get comfortable with the CyberLive environment before taking the actual exam.
- Review Exam Objectives Carefully – Understand the skills being tested and ensure you have hands-on experience with relevant tools and techniques.
- Practice Under Exam Conditions – Timed practice in a hands-on environment can help candidates get comfortable with problem-solving under pressure.
The Future of Cybersecurity Certifications
As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the industry must adapt. Certifications that incorporate hands-on, real-world testing like CyberLive set a higher standard of validation, ensuring that certified professionals are truly prepared for the challenges they will face. Whether you’re an employer seeking qualified talent or a professional looking to advance in cybersecurity, hands-on certification is a game-changer.
By prioritizing performance-based testing, the cybersecurity community can cultivate a workforce that is not only knowledgeable but also truly capable.
Learn more about GIAC CyberLive and prove you’ve got what it takes.