Renewing My GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA) Certification

I recently began the quest to renew my GCFA certification. GIAC recently changed the way it handles renewals. The association now allows for maintaining credentials through certification maintenance units (CMUs). This follows closely ISC²‘s technique for maintenance of it’s certification programs such as the CISSP. Unlike ISC² however the options for obtaining CMUs are a bit more challenging under the GIAC program. Those options are:

1. Retaking the standard certification exam
2. Attend or teach ISO 17024 related information assurance training courses, such as SANS training courses or post graduate level information assurance courses.
3. Submit a published technical research paper, such as a GIAC Gold Paper

I won’t go into ISC²‘s program here, but suffice it to say that there are a lot more options to earn continuing professional education (CPE) credits. Since my time is limited, I chose option one above as my avenue for renewal. I received my study materials just last week and I’ll admit it will be a major effort to study for this test. I’m pretty excited though as I’ve been away from the forensics world for a few years and this is just what I need to brush up my skills.