Well, it looks like GIAC has come up with their solution to the backlash to dropping the practical requirement for their certifications.
They’ve started a new Gold program — a premier version of their certifications that requires that a report be written above and beyond just passing the tests.
Basically, when you just take the tests and pass, you get the Silver certification. At that point you can elect to go forward and try for the Gold. All cert holders who did their certification when the paper was required have been granted Gold status automatically.
I think this is better than simply dumping the additional project altogether, but having two levels of a single certification is not ideal. It’s confusing and will ultimately detract from the value of the GIAC program as a whole.