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Exam Information
Official specifications published by GIAC
Exam Format
120 min
75
70%
Practitioner
Registration
$999 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
Validity
4 years
Earn 36 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits over 4 years; Pass another GIAC certification exam; Complete SANS training courses
GCPN Exam Topics and Domains
GCPN is organized into 12 weighted domains. Expect to work with Azure Functions, AWS IAM, AWS Lambda, API Gateway, and more.
1
Cloud Penetration Testing Fundamentals
12%
Cloud Architecture and Environment Fundamentals
Public Cloud Infrastructure Structure and ConfigurationCloud Penetration Testing Methodology
- Demonstrate understanding of penetration testing fundamentals applied to cloud applications
- Understand the structure and configurations of public cloud infrastructures
- Identify differences between cloud-native and on-premises architectures
2
AWS Authentication and Cloud Services
18%
AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
IAM Structure, Policies, and IdentitiesAWS Privilege Escalation Techniques
- Demonstrate understanding of AWS authentication methods and IAM structure
- Identify privilege escalation opportunities in AWS environments
- Understand IAM policies and identity-based security controls
AWS Services and Exploitation
Amazon KMS and Encryption ServicesAWS Lambda Functions and ServerlessAWS EC2 and Compute Services
- Demonstrate understanding of Amazon KMS and Lambda functions
- Understand fundamental use of exploitation tools for AWS
- Identify and exploit AWS service-specific vulnerabilities
3
Microsoft Azure Cloud Services and Attacks
16%
Azure Identity and Authentication
Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) and Authentication StandardsMicrosoft Graph and API Exploitation
- Show understanding of Microsoft Azure cloud services
- Demonstrate knowledge of web identity management and authentication standards
- Understand attacks against Azure users and services
Azure Services and Functions
Azure Functions and Serverless ExploitationAzure Virtual Machines and ComputeWindows Containers in Azure
- Demonstrate understanding of Azure Functions capability
- Understand differences between Azure Functions and AWS Lambda
- Understand code execution in Azure environment including Windows Containers
4
Cloud CLI and Application Mapping
10%
AWS and Azure CLI Tools
AWS CLI Structure and UsageAzure CLI and PowerShell
- Demonstrate understanding of AWS and Azure CLI structure
- Understand application mapping through APIs and HTTP requests
- Master CLI tools for cloud enumeration and exploitation
API Enumeration and Mapping
Cloud API Discovery and Mapping
- Understand application mapping through APIs and HTTP requests
- Identify exposed APIs and their security implications
- Enumerate cloud services through API calls
5
Discovering Cloud Services and Data
12%
Cloud Resource Discovery
Exposed Ports and ServicesDatabase and Storage ExposureSecrets and Developer Tools
- Discover and identify sources of exposure in cloud environments
- Identify exposed ports, services, databases, and secrets
- Understand developer tools and repositories as attack vectors
6
Cloud Native Applications and CI/CD Pipelines
10%
Cloud Native Application Security
Cloud Native Application Architecture
- Demonstrate understanding of cloud native applications
- Identify examples of cloud native applications and their characteristics
- Understand security implications of cloud-first architectures
CI/CD Pipeline Attacks
CI/CD Pipeline VulnerabilitiesInfrastructure as Code (IaC) Security
- Demonstrate understanding of CI/CD pipelines
- Find vulnerabilities in deployment pipelines
- Understand Infrastructure as Code security risks
7
Containers and Kubernetes Structure
12%
Container Security
Docker and Container FundamentalsContainer Registry and Image Security
- Demonstrate understanding of application deployment in containers
- Understand container structure and security mechanisms
- Identify and exploit container vulnerabilities
Kubernetes Security
Kubernetes Architecture and ConfigurationKubernetes Attack TechniquesService Mesh Security
- Demonstrate understanding of Kubernetes structure and configuration
- Understand service mesh architecture and security
- Identify Kubernetes-specific attack vectors
8
Web Application Attacks
8%
Cloud-Specific Web Application Vulnerabilities
Web Attacks Against Cloud Native ApplicationsServerless-Specific Attack Vectors
- Demonstrate understanding of common web application attacks
- Understand how web attacks impact cloud native applications
- Identify serverless function-specific vulnerabilities
9
Password Attacks on Cloud Environments
6%
Cloud Identity Attacks
Username Harvesting and EnumerationPassword Attack Methodologies
- Demonstrate understanding of username harvesting techniques
- Understand password attack methodologies against cloud identities
- Master tools for cloud password attacks
10
Red Team Penetration Testing of Cloud Environments
8%
Cloud Red Team Operations
Exploitation and Payload DevelopmentRed Team Tooling
- Demonstrate understanding of red team penetration testing processes
- Understand exploitation and payload development for cloud
- Master tools associated with cloud red team operations
11
Redirection and Attack Obfuscation
6%
Cloud Attack Obfuscation
Domain Fronting and Traffic ObfuscationPivoting and Proxying
- Demonstrate understanding of obfuscation through domain fronting
- Understand pivoting using proxies and other methods
- Master attack structure obfuscation in cloud environments
12
Azure Functions and Windows Containers
4%
Advanced Azure Exploitation
Azure Functions Deep DiveWindows Containers and Microsoft Graph
- Demonstrate understanding of Azure Functions capability
- Understand differences between Azure Functions and AWS Lambda
- Understand Windows Containers and Microsoft Graph tool
How do I earn this certification?
Passing GCPN earns the GIAC Cloud Penetration Tester (GCPN) certification. It sits in the Cloud Security / Penetration Testing track.
Next Level Options
- GXPN - GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester (GXPN)Advanced penetration testing and exploit development
- SANS Graduate Certificate - Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking GCPN can count toward graduate certificate
Alternative Paths
- GPEN - GIAC Penetration TesterBroader pentesting foundation, less cloud-specific
- GWAPT - GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester Specialized in web app pentesting including cloud apps
- GCSA - GIAC Cloud Security Automation Cloud security from automation and DevSecOps perspective
- OSCP - Offensive Security Certified Professional Industry-standard pentesting cert with hands-on focus
- AWS-SAA - AWS Certified Solutions Architect - AssociateDeep AWS architecture knowledge beneficial for cloud pentesting
- AZ-500 - Microsoft Azure Security Engineer AssociateAzure security knowledge from defensive perspective
- CKS - Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist Specialized Kubernetes security knowledge
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for GCPN is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Penetration testers and Vulnerability analysts.
- Familiarity with Linux bash command line
- Basic familiarity with Azure and AWS CLI tools
- Base understanding of networking and TCP/IP
- Rudimentary understanding of Metasploit CLI console
- Understanding of how network pivots work
- Prior penetration testing experience
- Experience with cloud platforms (AWS and/or Azure)