My letter to GIAC:

I am a GCIH. I have recertified once already, and was planning to recertify again in January of 2006; however, I am seriously reconsidering this decision based on the significant change in value that the GCIH certification now offers. I am quite shocked and rather disappointed that GIAC would discontinue it's requirement of a practical assignment pending the certification exams. This practice was the one standard that set GIAC apart from other certifications. It was the one fact I bragged about to my coworkers and friends, and it was the one reason I thought my certification might be worth something once GIAC really got some weight in the security community. I realize grading practicals must be a time consuming - and therefore money consuming - endeavor, but you must understand that it is the value of the practical that makes your singularly elevated testing fees a fair trade. Your certified professionals could, upon having completed their GIAC certifications, proudly say, "yes, I invested a serious amount of time and brainpower, and demonstrated I am not only able to memorize a few pithy facts and answer some multiple choice questions, but I can really put my knowledge gained to the test. I can apply myself beyond the average Joe, and this certification was complex enough to test that ability in me. Here it is, and it was worth all my effort." Now, you may be certifying more people, under a wider variety of titles, but you have lost your real value. I can get a certification of the same quality for less, and with a more widely recognized company. What incentive do I have now? I am not the only person who feels this way, but I am one who was loyal. I would have continued my recertification through the duration of my career. Now, I might as well go out and get Security+. More people know what I'm talking about, and it's cheaper.

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