🛡️ SANS SEC450 / GCLD

🧠 1. Certification Name and Issuing Body

• Full certification name: GIAC Certified Leader of Cyber Defense (GCLD)

• Issuing organization: GIAC – Global Information Assurance Certification (SANS Institute)

• Official website: https://www.giac.org/certifications/cyber-defense-leader-gcld/

🧩 2. Certification Level and Type

• Level: Introductory to Intermediate

• Type: Technical (defensive operations)

📜 3. Purpose and Goals

• What skills does it certify?
  Core blue team concepts: threat detection, network monitoring, Windows/Linux defense, SIEM triage, cloud monitoring, and endpoint security

• Target roles or profiles:
  SOC Analyst (Tier I), Blue Team Intern, IT Security Technician, Junior Threat Analyst

• Practical applications:
  Monitoring endpoints and networks, identifying suspicious activity, investigating alerts, using detection tools effectively

🎓 4. Prerequisites

• Recommended prior certifications:
  None strictly required; ideal after Security+ or GSEC

• Suggested experience:
  0–2 years in IT support, helpdesk, or junior SOC role

• Required technical knowledge:
  Basic TCP/IP, operating systems, logs, and alert triage fundamentals

📚 5. Content and Curriculum

• Key domains/modules:

  1. Network Security Monitoring

  2. Log Analysis and SIEM Triage

  3. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

  4. Windows and Linux System Logging

  5. Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

  6. Threat Intelligence Basics

  7. Cyber Defense Process & Workflow

• Technologies/tools:
  Security Onion, Sysmon, Splunk, Velociraptor, Wireshark, ELK stack, EDR tools (e.g., Carbon Black, Defender)

• Framework mapping:
  MITRE ATT&CK (Defense focus), NIST CSF (DE and RS), NICE Framework (PR, DE, and RS categories)

🧪 6. Learning Approach

• Style: Theoretical + hands-on labs

• Labs/environments: Provided in SEC450 via browser-based virtual labs

• Materials: SEC450 printed books, GCLD practice exams, cheat sheets, lab manuals

• Recommended platforms: SANS OnDemand, BlueTeamLabs, TryHackMe (“SOC Level 1”), CyberDefenders

📝 7. Exam Format and Details

• Mode: Online proctored (ProctorU)

• Duration: 2 hours

• Questions: 50–75 multiple choice

• Languages: English

• Retake policy: Available for fee; waiting period applies

• Certification validity: 4 years

💰 8. Estimated Cost

• Exam-only fee: $949 USD

• SEC450 course + exam bundle: ~$7,000–$8,000 USD

• Renewal cost: $479 USD or 36 CPEs

🌍 9. Industry Recognition

• Demand/popularity: Increasing due to SANS brand; seen as ideal starting point for formal Blue Team training

• Organizations that value it: U.S. DoD, SOCs, MSSPs, financial/retail SOC teams, critical infrastructure providers

• Comparison:

  • More structured and industry-aligned than Security+

  • More beginner-focused than CySA+ or GCIA

  • A good stepping stone before SC-200 or GCIH

💼 10. Career Opportunities

• Job roles:
  SOC Analyst I, Cybersecurity Technician, Detection Analyst (Junior), Blue Team Apprentice

• Suggested paths:
  → GCLD → GCIA / GCIH / SC-200
  → GCLD + CySA+ = SOC Tier I → II development plan

💵 11. Average Salary

• USA: $60,000–$85,000/year

• Europe: €40,000–€60,000/year

• Salary impact: High for entry-level; helps move into SOC roles rapidly

• (Sources: SANS Blue Team Summit 2023, GIAC feedback, LinkedIn job postings)

📅 12. Renewal and Maintenance

• Validity: 4 years

• Renewal options:

  • Submit 36 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits

  • Pay $479 renewal fee

  • Retake the GCLD exam

🧭 13. Final Recommendations

• Ideal for:
  New defenders, career changers into cybersecurity, or IT staff transitioning to SOC roles

• When to pursue:
  As a first GIAC cert or after CySA+/Security+; ideal for structured SOC onboarding

• Tips:
  Build a solid index for the exam. Learn how to triage real alerts. Practice interpreting logs from multiple sources (EDR + network + system).