Hey All,
I've documented the steps to build a TP-Link TL-WR703N travel router as a pen testing drop box similar to a Pwnie Express (using OpenWrt). 

http://www.minipwner.com/index.php/minipwner-build

The WR-703N is not as powerful as the Shiva Plug used for the Pwnie Express, but the travel router is smaller, can run off a battery, and has integrated WiFi.

Kevin
GIAC GSE, PMP, GCIH, GCIA, GCFW, GCFA, GSEC

Hey All,
What90's not the only GSE holder here.
Though honestly I don't browse the forums often. 

In my opinion -
If I were seriously job searching I would get the CISSP too, I think my resume hits the HR person's cylindrical file pretty often because they don't see CISSP and don't know GSE.  I'm considering taking the CISSP in march for just this reason.  I have found if I make it past the stupid HR filter and have a chance to explain what the GSE is to the hiring manager it seems to give me a pretty strong leg up over other candidates.

The other great thing about the GSE is it keeps all your other certs current. I just renewed all of my GIAC certs by taking one exam last month.

Some other humble opinions -
Cost wise, if you are starting from nothing I can see it would be pretty expensive.  If you already have the certs to qualify to sit for the test its definitely worthwhile.

Difficulty-wise, its tough but very fair.  If you memorized the material but don't understand it you'll struggle.  If you understand what's going on in each and every page of the GSEC, GCIH, and GCIA courseware, including the labs, then the GSE is something you can pass.   There's an essay I put together at sans.edu with more info if you haven't seen it :
http://www.sans.edu/programs/gse_prep.php

Kevin

Hey apollo,

Thanks.  Sounds like you've made some quick work of it already.  Yeah, I was worried people would be scared off by a cryptography challenge, so I made sure that portion was easy enough that most people will be able to solve it.  If you're a cryptographer by trade you'll probably find that part of the challenge boring. But when you add in the forensics parts there should be something fun for everyone.

Kevin

As Don suggested in the post above, there is a "secret message" one of the attackers left for CBG.  Once you've figured out the how the three "attacks" were accomplished you need to dig a bit deeper to learn the whole story.

Good Luck!

Kevin