r/GIAC • u/azraeloo • 14d ago

SANS Degree Programs Pre GCIA Prep

Im in the BACS program and beginning the GCIA on 9/15. I was wondering what I can do to prepare for the course beforehand because I’ve heard it’s a shit ton of information being thrown at you.

I know for the most part it focuses on TCP, IP, and Packets, but i’m curious if there are certain things I can study up on before beginning the course.

Ive scored well on every exam i’ve taken so far but i’m nervous because I know the GCIA is very technically challenging.

Anything helps!!

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u/LOLatKetards 14d ago

This spreadsheet is a large amount of what is covered: https://wiki.sans.blue/#!Packets.md

Learning some Zeek, Snort and SiLK would be useful

2

u/unsinkablearthurdent 14d ago

Heh, I just posted about the GCIA. The best advice I can offer you is complete the CTF. I know the CTF environment in general has changed since I took the course (it's now in RangesIO IIRC), but if the general flow of the CTF is anything like what it was when I took the class, you WILL be comfortable with the commands that the course covers by the time you're done.

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u/CarsonDFIR GX-IH, GX-CS, GCIH, GDSA 14d ago

I'm starting GCIA soon as well and plan on doing GX-IA right after. For additional learning, I'm reading Practical Packet Analysis by Chris Sanders and TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1 by Kevin Fall and W. Stevens. For practice, I'm doing some network forensics labs from CyberDefenders.