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Exam Information
Official specifications published by GIAC
Exam Format
120 min
75
70%
Practitioner
Registration
$999 USD
ProctorU (remote), PearsonVUE (onsite), or online proctoring
English
Validity
4 years
Earn 36 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits; Pass another GIAC certification exam; Complete approved professional development activities
GDAT Exam Topics and Domains
GDAT is organized into 10 weighted domains. Expect to work with Active Directory, Sysmon, Domain Controllers, Email gateways, and more.
1
Active Directory and Domains
12%
Authentication Fundamentals
Authentication BasicsKerberos Protocol
- Understand authentication mechanisms in enterprise environments
- Explain Kerberos authentication protocol and its security implications
- Identify weaknesses in authentication implementations
Domain Attacks and Detection
Common Domain AttacksDetecting Domain Attacks
- Identify common attack techniques targeting Active Directory
- Implement detection mechanisms for domain-based attacks
- Analyze authentication logs for indicators of compromise
2
Administrative Access and Privilege Escalation
10%
Privilege Escalation Impacts
Privilege Escalation TechniquesImpact Assessment
- Understand various privilege escalation techniques
- Assess the impact of successful privilege escalation
- Identify vulnerable configurations that enable escalation
Least Privilege Methodologies
Principle of Least PrivilegeAdministrative Controls
- Apply least privilege principles in enterprise environments
- Implement administrative controls to prevent escalation
- Design secure administrative access frameworks
3
Adversary Emulation
11%
Adversary Emulation Concepts
Purple Team FundamentalsCyber Kill Chain
- Understand purple team concepts and methodologies
- Map adversary techniques to the Cyber Kill Chain
- Apply MITRE ATT&CK framework for threat modeling
Adversary Emulation Tools and Controls
Common Emulation ToolsTechnical Controls
- Utilize adversary emulation tools for security testing
- Validate technical security controls through emulation
- Assess detection and prevention capabilities
4
Application Exploitation
9%
Software Development Lifecycle Security
Secure SDLCThreat Modeling
- Integrate security into the software development lifecycle
- Conduct effective threat modeling exercises
- Identify and prioritize application security risks
Patch Management and Exploit Mitigation
Patch Management StrategiesExploit Mitigation Techniques
- Implement effective patch management programs
- Deploy exploit mitigation technologies
- Reduce application attack surface
5
Data Exfiltration
8%
Exfiltration Strategies and Detection
Common Exfiltration MethodsNetFlow and Packet Capture
- Identify common data exfiltration techniques
- Analyze network traffic for exfiltration indicators
- Compare NetFlow and full packet capture approaches
C2 Detection and Deception
Command and Control DetectionDeception Techniques
- Detect command and control communications
- Implement deception techniques for threat detection
- Analyze C2 infrastructure and behaviors
6
Installation and Persistence
9%
Persistence Mechanisms
Common Persistence TechniquesDetecting Persistence
- Identify common persistence mechanisms used by adversaries
- Detect unauthorized persistence on systems
- Implement controls to prevent persistence establishment
Organizational Protections
Preventing Malicious InstallationSystem Hardening
- Implement application control to prevent unauthorized installations
- Apply security baselines and hardening measures
- Reduce attack surface for persistence establishment
7
Lateral Movement
11%
Lateral Movement Strategies
Common Lateral Movement TechniquesAttack Path Analysis
- Understand lateral movement techniques used by adversaries
- Analyze attack paths using tools like BloodHound
- Identify high-risk lateral movement vectors
Preventing and Detecting Lateral Movement
Network SegmentationDetection Mechanisms
- Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement
- Deploy detection mechanisms for lateral movement activities
- Monitor and analyze lateral movement indicators
8
Payload Delivery
10%
Delivery Mechanisms
Phishing and Social EngineeringOther Delivery Methods
- Identify common payload delivery mechanisms
- Assess risks associated with various delivery methods
- Implement controls to prevent payload delivery
Prevention and Detection Controls
Email Security ControlsNetwork and Endpoint Controls
- Deploy email security controls to prevent phishing
- Implement network and endpoint protections
- Create layered defenses against payload delivery
9
Payload Execution
10%
Execution Strategies
Common Execution TechniquesObfuscation and Evasion
- Understand common payload execution techniques
- Identify fileless and living-off-the-land attacks
- Detect obfuscated and evasive payloads
Detection and Prevention Controls
Execution PreventionExecution Detection
- Implement execution prevention controls
- Enable comprehensive logging for execution detection
- Detect malicious script and binary execution
10
Reconnaissance, Threat Hunting, and Incident Response
10%
Reconnaissance and Threat Hunting
Reconnaissance TechniquesProactive Threat Hunting
- Understand reconnaissance techniques used by adversaries
- Conduct proactive threat hunting operations
- Integrate threat intelligence into hunting activities
Incident Response Process
Incident Response LifecycleForensic Analysis and Evidence Collection
- Execute incident response procedures effectively
- Conduct forensic analysis of compromised systems
- Preserve and analyze digital evidence
How do I earn this certification?
Passing GDAT earns the GIAC Defending Advanced Threats certification. It sits in the Cyber Defense / Purple Team Operations track.
Current Level Exams
- GCDA - GIAC Certified Detection Analyst Complementary detection-focused certification
- GCED - GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender Broader enterprise defense perspective
- GCIH - GIAC Certified Incident HandlerComplements incident response aspects of GDAT
Next Level Options
- GPEN - GIAC Penetration TesterAdvance offensive security skills (red team side)
- GREM - GIAC Reverse Engineering MalwareDeep dive into malware analysis and reverse engineering
- GCFA - GIAC Certified Forensic AnalystAdvanced forensic analysis capabilities
- GXPN - GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration TesterExpert-level offensive security and exploit development
- GSE - GIAC Security Expert Ultimate GIAC expert-level certification requiring multiple practitioner certs
Alternative Paths
- GCTD - GIAC Cloud Threat Detection Apply purple team concepts to cloud environments
- GCTI - GIAC Cyber Threat IntelligenceDeepen threat intelligence capabilities for hunting
- GMON - GIAC Continuous Monitoring CertificationFocus on continuous monitoring and detection
- GRID - GIAC Response and Industrial Defense Apply defensive techniques to industrial control systems
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 GDAT is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Blue team personnel and Red team personnel.
- Windows and Linux command-line experience (including PowerShell)
- Active Directory familiarity
- Baseline cybersecurity understanding
- TCP/IP and networking knowledge
- Experience with security operations or system administration