GICSP
Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional
IT + engineering overlap for industrial control systems.
› Quality score
Four-axis SecProve rubric, each 0–10. SecProve editorial assessment — each axis carries a written justification so you can push back on any single call without dismissing the whole score.
› Market signals
public, citable inputs to the recognition score› Built for these roles
› Exam format
Open-book MCQ exam, 115 questions over 3 hours, online proctored.
30-day wait. SANS course bundles typically include 2 attempts.
› Recertification
36 CPE credits over four years (avg 9/yr) plus the $499 renewal fee per cycle.
› NICE Framework work roles
The NIST NICE work-role IDs this cert maps to. NICCS lookup.
› Core domains covered
The 2 domains this cert is centrally about. Passing the exam demonstrates working knowledge of each.
› Also touched
Present in the blueprint but not the primary focus — you’ll be introduced but shouldn’t expect depth.
› Prerequisites
Two-plus years in IT, security, or controls engineering. Industrial background (PLCs, SCADA) strongly recommended.
- ICS / SCADA protocols (Modbus, DNP3, OPC)
- ICS reference architectures (Purdue model)
- Safety-aware security controls
› Progression
requiredrecommendedWhere this cert fits in the typical learning path. Required edges are vendor-gated; recommended edges reflect de facto industry progression.
No vendor-gated prereqs.
No de facto priors typically expected.
No certs require this one.
› Study materials
Curated starting points. Not exhaustive — vet each against your learning style and the current exam version.
- SANS ICS410 Course Materials — SANS
- GIAC Practice Tests (2 included with exam)
› Version & lifecycle
› Salary signal
ICS/SCADA practitioner / OT security engineer, US, 3-5 years.
Robert Half Salary Guide · 2024 · US base only · p25–p75 range
› How it compares
GICSP is ICS practitioner foundation; GCIP is critical-infrastructure protection focus. Often paired.
↔ Compare side-by-side› Careers that commonly pursue this cert
Protect critical infrastructure — power grids, water treatment, manufacturing. Where cyber meets the physical world.
See this cert’s domains highlighted on the interactive map, or compare it against the rest of the catalog.