Ways to Earn CPEs to Renew Your Certs

Private sector companies as well as three-letter federal agencies are constantly looking for talent to add to their teams as they face incredibly technical and advanced adversaries. For them, being ahead in technology means keeping up with trends, choosing the best training, and hiring professionals that can make their teams strong. To demonstrate ongoing competency in the InfoSec field, cyber professionals rely on certifications to show not only their knowledge but also provide a way to compete, differentiate themselves, and land their dream job.

At SANS Institute, we understand how important these certifications are for a professional’s career. We have several activities and programs that can help you earn the CPEs you need to stay certified. Not only does your participation help you meet the criteria to renew your certifications, but you’ll also be taking advantage of free learning opportunities that help you stay ahead of the curve and contribute to a safer community. 

SANS Live Online or OnDemand Training

CPEs: Maximum of 36 per SANS course
Can be applied to up to 3 GIAC Certs

SANS Live Online features live-streamed, scheduled sessions with our exceptional faculty of instructors. This is a convenient and engaging online training option, as it provides four months of online access to the MP3 archive of your course lecture. Learn more about SANS Live Online here: https://www.sans.org/live-online

SANS OnDemand features recorded course materials taught by the course authors and is designed to give you time and access to revisit content and effectively retain your course material. Students who use OnDemand learn from the best in the business and study at their own pace. Learn more about SANS OnDemand here: https://www.sans.org/ondemand/

Write a GIAC Gold Paper

CPEs: Maximum of 36
Can be applied to up to 3 certs

Writing a GIAC Gold paper gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your technical knowledge, show your writing proficiency, and contribute to the field. The GIAC website provides several resources such as a Gold paper checklist, templates, schedule, and YouTube videos! Get started on your GIAC Gold paper here: https://www.giac.org/certifications/gold

Listen to a SANS Webcast

CPE’s: 1 CPE per hour
Can be applied to 1 cert

SANS conducts several webcasts per month which allows an InfoSec professional to earn CPEs through community participation while keeping up to date on developments in the field. Check out the latest webcasts at https://www.sans.org/webcasts/

Challenge a New GIAC Cert (Without SANS Training)

CPEs: Maximum of 36
Can be applied to up to 3 certs

GIAC exams are taken online in a proctored environment through GIAC’s state-of-the-art exam engine. Features include job-specific, specialized exam questions to validate real-world knowledge, a post-exam performance evaluation by certification objective, and a custom post-exam candidate feedback interface to help us further improve the testing experience. Visit https://www.giac.org/certifications/get-certified/steps to find tips for success with the GIAC certification program!

Graduate Coursework (Accredited)

CPEs: Max of 36 CPEs (12 per course, max of 3 courses)
Can be applied to up to 2 certs

Relevant graduate-level (Master’s or Doctorate/PhD-level) courses from an accredited institution can be used to demonstrate ongoing competency in the information security field related to the certification(s) being renewed. Additionally, teaching a graduate-level course at an accredited institution qualifies for CPEs within this category. Learn more here: https://www.giac.org/certifications/renewal/post-graduate

Publishing a Book or Paper

CPEs: Maximum of 36
Can be applied to up to 2 certs

A published paper or book on a relevant information assurance topic can be used to demonstrate ongoing competency in the information security field related to the certification(s) being renewed. See what qualifies and how publishing can help you maintain your GIAC certification here: https://www.giac.org/certifications/renewal/published-work

Take Accredited, Non-SANS Training

CPEs: Maximum of 18
Can be applied to 1 cert

There are relevant activities that can be completed through an InfoSec related ISO-17024 accredited certification and its affiliated training providers. This can be used to demonstrate ongoing competency in the information security field related to the certification(s) being renewed. Learn more about non-SANS accredited professional training and view a list of accredited training here: https://www.giac.org/certifications/renewal/other-accredited

Compete in Cyber Ranges/NetWars 

CPEs: Maximum of 12
Can be applied to 1 cert

Relevant cyber range activities and exercises are hands-on, interactive learning exercises that can be used to demonstrate ongoing competency in the information security field related to the certification(s) being renewed. Learn more about cyber ranges/NetWars and see what activities and exercises qualify here: https://www.giac.org/certifications/renewal/cyber-ranges

Show Your Field Work Experience

CPEs: Maximum of 12
Can be applied to 1 cert

Hands-on experience in the infosec field through work experience can demonstrate your application of a certification’s objectives and ongoing competency in the information security field related to the certification(s) being renewed. Furthermore, unique aspects of work experience can be applied toward multiple renewals. See if your work experience qualifies here: https://www.giac.org/certifications/renewal/work-experience

Community Participation 

CPEs: Maximum of 12
Can be applied to 1 cert

Collaboration with the community can allow a practitioner to find solutions to virtually any problem they encounter. Attending or conducting webcasts, public speaking engagements, volunteer work in the infosec community, local chapter meetings, conducting training programs and writing an article/blog for an information assurance related publication or website — all these may be considered community participation. Learn more about how contributing to the infosec community can help you earn CPEs here: https://www.giac.org/certifications/renewal/community-participation

Happy CPE hunting!

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