GCWN is currently in abeyance and no longer available for purchase. GCWN certifications can be renewed by CPEs only.
Areas Covered
- Securing PowerShell
- Zero Trust multifactor authentication
- Windows endpoint protection
- Operating system and application hardening
- PKI management
- Restricting administrative compromise
Who is GCWN for?
- Individuals responsible for installing, configuring, & securing Microsoft Windows clients & servers
- Windows endpoint and server administrators
- Practitioners who want to validate PowerShell automation skills
- Practitioners implementing the CIS Critical Security Controls
- USA military and government cyber defenders
- Blue teamers
Exam Format
- 1 proctored exam
- 75 questions
- 2 hours
- Minimum passing score of 66%
Note: GIAC reserves the right to change the specifications for each certification without notice. Based on a scientific passing point study, the passing point for the GCWN exam has been determined to be 66% for all candidates receiving access to their certification attempts on or after October 26th, 2012. To verify the format and passing point of your specific certification attempt, read the Certification Information found in your account at https://exams.giac.org/pages/attempts.
Delivery
NOTE: All GIAC Certification exams are web-based and required to be proctored. There are two proctoring options: remote proctoring through ProctorU, and onsite proctoring through PearsonVUE. Click here for more information.
GIAC certification attempts will be activated in your GIAC account after your application has been approved and according to the terms of your purchase. Details on delivery will be provided along with your registration confirmation upon payment. You will receive an email notification when your certification attempt has been activated in your account. You will have 120 days from the date of activation to complete your certification attempt.
Exam Certification Objectives & Outcome Statements
- Active Directory and WMI Scripting The candidate will be able to use PowerShell and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to query and manage Active Directory, Group Policy Objects, Local Users and Groups, and Active Directory permissions.
- Endpoint and PowerShell Security The candidate will be able to secure PowerShell and Windows endpoints against ransomware and other malware using PowerShell hardening, AppLocker, Credential Guard, Group Policy preferences, Windows privileges, and PowerShell logging.
- Hardening Services and Features The candidate will be able to use PowerShell to harden and manage Windows roles and features, Windows Firewall rules, IPsec zero trust policies, audit policies, and event logging.
- PowerShell Fundamentals The candidate will demonstrate familiarity with PowerShell's use of objects, properties, methods, arrays, flow control, and how to write basic PowerShell functions and scripts.
- PowerShell Remote Command Execution The candidate will be able to securely configure and use PowerShell Remoting, OpenSSH for WIndows, Just Enough Admin (JEA), Group Policy, and the Task Scheduler for remote command execution.
- Windows Certificate Services The candidate will be able to implement a Windows Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and manage certificates used for multi-factor authentication, smart cards/tokens, data encryption, and digital signatures.