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Compare certifications
Pick up to 3 certifications and compare them side-by-side on cost, exam format, recertification, salary signal, quality, and domain coverage.
GIAC · professional
GCWNGIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator
GIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator
Official pageComparing
GIACGCWN
› Cost
Exam fee
GCWN$979
Exam fee
$979
Annual maintenance fee
GCWN—
Annual maintenance fee
—
3-year cost of ownership
GCWN$979
3-year cost of ownership
$979
› Exam mechanics
Pass mark
GCWN70% (scaled per attempt)
Pass mark
70% (scaled per attempt)
Retake policy
GCWN$999 fee · 30d wait
Retake policy
$999 fee · 30d wait
Study time
GCWN100–200 hrs
Study time
100–200 hrs
Validity
GCWN4 yrs
Validity
4 yrs
CPE / yr
GCWN9 CPEs
CPE / yr
9 CPEs
Delivery
GCWNmixed
Delivery
mixed
› Salary signal (US base)
Range
GCWN$100K – $150K
Range
$100K – $150K
Median
GCWN$120,000
Median
$120,000
Premium %
GCWN—
Premium %
—
Role context
GCWNWindows security administrator, US, 3-5 years.
Role context
Windows security administrator, US, 3-5 years.
› Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)
Schema quality
GCWN7.5
Schema quality
7.5
Practice evidence
GCWN4.5
Practice evidence
4.5
Maintenance
GCWN6.0
Maintenance
6.0
Market recognition
GCWN5.0
Market recognition
5.0
Average
GCWN5.8
Average
5.8
› Recognition & lifecycle
Recognition
GCWNGlobal
Recognition
Global
ISO 17024 accredited
GCWN—
ISO 17024 accredited
—
DoD 8140 baseline
GCWN—
DoD 8140 baseline
—
Holders worldwide
GCWN—
Holders worldwide
—
Current version
GCWN2024 SEC505 refresh (2024-04)
Current version
2024 SEC505 refresh (2024-04)
› Domain coverage
A2Network Security
GCWN● core
A2Network Security
● core
A6Identity & Access Management
GCWN● core
A6Identity & Access Management
● core
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