3 Ways to get SANS GIAC certified CHEAPER

Summary

This video offers cost-effective strategies for obtaining popular certifications like SANS GIAC and GCFA, which typically cost around $8,800 USD or 13,000 AUD. The presenter suggests challenging the exam for $950 USD, negotiating with employers to cover training costs, and utilizing the SANS Work Study Program for a significantly reduced fee of approximately $2,500 USD. The Work Study Program allows participants to attend in-person or online training, assisting with setup and feedback collection, offering valuable networking opportunities and high-quality instruction.

Takeaways

• 💼 SANS certifications like GCIH and GCFA are highly valued but can be costly, with training and certification fees reaching up to $8,800 USD or approximately 13,000 AUD.
• 📚 One way to obtain SANS certification is by challenging the exam, which is less expensive at $950 USD or around 1,400 AUD, but requires self-study without official training materials.
• 🎓 The exam route can be difficult as the SANS GI-AC exam is closely tied to the material provided in their training courses, which are not legally available without payment.
• 🤝 A second strategy is to ask your employer to cover the cost of SANS training, which many companies are willing to do, especially for employees who have proven their value.
• 💼 Employers may see the value in SANS certifications and offer to pay for them as a benefit or as part of a salary negotiation for senior roles.
• 📈 The third and most favored method by the speaker is the SANS Work Study Program, which significantly reduces the cost of training and certification to about $2,500 USD or 3,700 AUD.
• 🏫 The Work Study Program allows participants to attend training in person or online, with responsibilities such as setting up the training room and collecting feedback forms.
• 👥 Participation in the Work Study Program offers networking opportunities with SANS instructors and team, which can be a valuable experience.
• 🔍 Selection for the Work Study Program is selective and not guaranteed, with preferences given to those who have not participated in previous years or who work for companies that typically do not cover training costs.
• 🚀 The speaker highly recommends the SANS training and certification due to its high quality and the benefits it brings to one's professional development.
• 💡 Proactivity is key when seeking to obtain SANS certifications, whether through challenging exams, employer sponsorship, or the Work Study Program.

Q & A

What are the most popular SANS certifications mentioned in the transcript?

The most popular SANS certifications mentioned are SANS GCIH and SANS GCFA.

Why are the costs of SANS certifications considered high?

The costs are considered high because each training and certification can cost about 8,800 USD, which is equivalent to approximately 13,000 Australian dollars.

What is the first method suggested to obtain SANS certifications at a lower cost?

The first method suggested is to challenge the exam, which allows you to get the certification without doing the SANS training by paying for the exam fee of about 950 USD.

What is the challenge associated with challenging the SANS exam?

The challenge is that the SANS exam is closely tied to the material provided in the training, and there is no legal way to obtain the training material without paying for it.

What is the second method to obtain SANS certifications affordably?

The second method is to ask your employer to pay for the training, especially if you have been performing well and delivering value to the company.

How can employees negotiate with their employers for SANS training?

Employees can negotiate by showing how obtaining the certification will improve their day-to-day job and add value to their role within the company.

What is the third and most favored method mentioned for obtaining SANS certifications?

The third method is the SANS Work Study Program, which allows participants to do the training and certification for about 2,500 USD.

What does the SANS Work Study Program involve?

The Work Study Program involves helping with the setup and organization of the training sessions, either in person or online, and attending the training to learn from the instructors.

What are the benefits of participating in the SANS Work Study Program?

The benefits include the opportunity to attend high-quality training, learn from experienced instructors, and network with the SANS team and other participants.

How selective is the SANS Work Study Program in choosing participants?

The program is selective and does not choose the same person for two or three years in a row to give others a chance. They also tend not to select individuals from large companies that usually pay for the training.