GIAC Cloud Security Architecture and Design

Exam cost

$999 USD

Questions · time · passing score

75 questions · 120 minutes · Pass: 63%

Prerequisites

No prerequisite verified in this audit; practical experience and aligned SANS preparation recommended.

Estimated salary premium

Not established by comparable evidence

Renewal requirements

36 CPE over four years or renewal exam; standard $499 fee. Confirm the exam version in the GIAC portal.

Difficulty

Not rated

Domains covered

• Cloud architecture
• Zero trust
• Cloud identity
• Data protection

Where this credential fits

MyCyberPath career mappings are planning guidance, not universal employer requirements.

This credential is not currently mapped to a metro line.

Recent catalog changes

1. SANS/GIACnew2026-10-29

   GIAC Cloud Security Architecture and Design

   GIAC Cloud Security Architecture and Design: Added to the catalog. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.

   What changed

   Before

   Not verified

   After

   id: b6bb5d71-fc43-5eb2-8719-27a9a49f5bed; name: GIAC Cloud Security Architecture and Design; tier: 3; level: advanced; domain: cloud-ops; vendor: SANS/GIAC; cert id: gcad; cert url: https://www.giac.org/certifications/cloud-security-architecture-design-gcad; industries: ; vendor url: https://www.giac.org/certifications/cloud-security-architecture-design-gcad; description: GIAC Cloud Security Architecture and Design validates the listed technical or leadership skills.; exam format: 75 questions; 120 minutes; minimum passing score 63%; proctored exam.; is featured: false; who its for: ; abbreviation: GCAD; demand level: Not verified; renewal cost: $499 standard renewal; 36 CPE over 4 years or renewal exam. Discounts may apply.; target roles: ; exam cost usd: 999; exam delivery: Not verified; is house cert: false; median salary: Not verified; metro line id: purple; prerequisites: No prerequisite verified in this audit; practical experience and aligned SANS preparation recommended.; skills gained: Cloud architecture · Zero trust · Cloud identity · Data protection; top employers: ; industry value: ; is on metro map: false; pairs well with: ; study hours low: Not verified; entry salary low: Not verified; salary range low: Not verified; study hours high: Not verified; dod 8140 approved: Not verified; entry salary high: Not verified; salary range high: Not verified; training cost low: Not verified; active us postings: Not verified; salary by org size: ; salary premium low: Not verified; training cost high: Not verified; yoy growth percent: Not verified; geographic hotspots: ; salary by geography: ; salary premium high: Not verified; total cost estimate: Not verified; renewal period years: 4; top hiring industries: ; active global postings: Not verified; experienced salary low: Not verified; experienced salary high: Not verified; next cert recommendation: Not verified

   Review source

Sources and verification

• https://www.giac.org/certifications/cloud-security-architecture-design-gcad
• https://www.giac.org/pricing
• https://www.giac.org/renewal/how-to-renew