I'm bummed out to see that GIAC stopped doing the Gold certifications in 2022.
Back then, you could train for the certification, pass the test, and then level up by writing a peer-reviewed paper on a topic related to your certification.
It brought a lot of recognition to the people getting the certs and had an added bonus of extending your certificate's duration.
Wayyyyy back in 2015, I wrote a paper on securing Linux containers after getting my #GCUX certification:
@major I happen to be wearing my "stopdisablingselinux" tshirt today, alas, the print has all but gone. But it still rings true.