GPYC Certified at last
Every year or so I try to flex my muscles by attempting to obtain another professional certification and 2018 was hardly different. This was the year that really tested my ability to focus and thank god that is now behind me.
I decided to attempt to become more adept at Python coding (and development in general) having learned just enough to understand that I really don’t fully understand coding. Sure I can understand some constructs like looping, etc. but I never really had the knack for it. After 20+ years in this business I decided I could not improve my skills without learning a bit more about coding.
After, what seemed like a few months and as we were full into Spring, I received confirmation of my company’s intention to fund this years choice of my training curricula ‘Automating Information Security with Python’. It couldn’t have come at a worse time, I just received a promotion and had a large task ahead of me, was approved to visit Black Hat and take a short course in August and had several home improvement projects planned and paid for that needed to begin. If I was going to do this it would take a lot of my free time to avoid failing miserably.
I spent a lot of time, reviewing my course material, asking colleagues and with trial and error, I am happy to report that I have just passed my exam!
For those of you who are on a quest for self-improvement, have wonderful partners who are happy to take a back seat to the endless sacrifice you will surely need to accomplish your goals, I say to you – tell them ‘Thank You!’ because behind every great achievement like this sits a wonderful significant other that has the faith to cheer you on to success.
Security Analyst - Jeff Soehner CISSP, GXPN,GPYC,GMOB,GCIH 
hey Jeff
I fully agree with your last sentiments..I to have been blessed with an understanding significant other who will take a back seat when I need to focus on my self improvement..Thankfully she sees and understands that my efforts indirectly improve both of our lives!
I do have a couple questions for you about the GPYC:
I have done this exam for SEC 573 already and did not pass. I have not taken the course, but I did get hold of the course material. Do you think it is possible to pass the exam without taking the course? ..and if so do you have any comments on how best to do so?
Thanks for your comment Shawn. It was difficult for me as a non-programmer but if you have the material, I think you could study it and write it again. I find that GIAC tests are not exactly based on the full course material but it is helpful to have the books on-hand when you write the exam. Many of the examples can be useful to reference (having a good index or a memory of where these examples are is necessary) to help think it through when you are under pressure.