GIAC Secure Software Programmer-Java (GSSP-Java)

Exam Overview

The GIAC Secure Software Programmer-Java (GSSP-Java) certification exam is designed for software developers who want to validate their knowledge and skills in secure Java programming practices. This specialized certification focuses on identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities in Java applications, ensuring code is developed with security as a priority from the ground up.

Exam Information

This certification focuses on practical security knowledge for Java developers, addressing common vulnerabilities, secure coding standards, and best practices for developing robust Java applications. The GSSP-Java validates a programmer's ability to write secure code that can withstand various security threats and attacks.

Key Topics Covered

Java security architecture and mechanisms
Common security vulnerabilities in Java
Secure coding practices and standards
Input validation and output encoding
Authentication and authorization implementation
Secure session management
Cryptography in Java applications
Secure configuration and deployment
Security testing for Java applications
Secure Java Enterprise Edition (JEE) development

Target Audience

This exam is ideal for:

Java developers and programmers
Application security professionals
Software architects working with Java
Quality assurance specialists focusing on security
DevSecOps engineers working with Java codebases
Security consultants specializing in code review

Exam Format

Multiple-choice and scenario-based questions
Approximately 75-115 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Passing score: 70% (typically)
Proctored examination environment

Skills Measured

Java Security Fundamentals (15-20%)

Understand Java security architecture
Implement Java Security Manager
Apply principle of least privilege
Utilize Java security APIs
Handle sensitive data securely

Vulnerability Prevention (25-30%)

Prevent injection flaws (SQL, LDAP, etc.)
Mitigate Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Address Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Prevent XML-based attacks
Implement proper error handling

Secure Authentication and Authorization (20-25%)

Implement secure authentication mechanisms
Apply role-based access control
Secure session management
Protect credentials and tokens
Implement secure remember-me functionality

Cryptography in Java (15-20%)

Utilize Java Cryptography Architecture (JCA)
Implement proper key management
Apply encryption and decryption techniques
Secure data in transit and at rest
Generate secure random numbers

Secure Java Application Development (15-20%)

Follow secure SDLC practices for Java
Implement secure configuration
Apply code signing techniques
Perform secure logging
Utilize security testing tools for Java

Preparation Resources

SANS courses (particularly SEC541)
GIAC study materials and practice tests
OWASP Java security resources
Java security books and documentation
Hands-on secure coding labs
Java security testing tools