The importance of digital forensic analysis in this computer-centric time is at another level. With the GIAC GCFE certification, professionals can demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and capabilities to conduct incident investigations, including e-discovery, forensics analysis, reporting, evidence acquisition, web browser forensics, and the ability to track the application and user activities on Windows platforms.
In this blog post, we are going to see the skills that you will learn with the GIAC GCFE certification training program as well as we will also examine other important aspects of this GCFE.
GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) certification
The GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) certification is vendor-neutral, administered and managed by GIAC. GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) is an internationally recognized certification that enables you to demonstrate your expertise in computer forensic analysis, focusing on collecting and analyzing data from Windows-based computer systems.
As a GCFE-certified professional, you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform typical investigations of incidents, including e-discovery, forensic analysis, report writing, evidence gathering, browser forensics, and tracking the activities of Windows users and applications. In order to pass the GIAC GCFE exam, you must answer 82-115 questions in multiple-choice format. The duration of the GICSP exam is three hours.
To pass the GCFE exam, you must score at least 70% or higher. This GIAC GCFE certification is designed for individuals with a background in information systems and security. In addition, the program will also benefit individuals interested in learning about Windows forensics, information security professionals, incident response team members, law enforcement officers, federal agents, investigators, and media exploitation analysts.
Here are the topics areas covered in the GIAC GCFE certification exam:
- Windows forensics and data triage
- Windows registry forensics, USB devices, shell items, email forensics, and log analysis
- Advanced web browser forensics (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
Who can take the GIAC GCFE certification?
The GIAC GCFE certification program is intended for professionals in information technology, information security, law enforcement, and legal agents with an understanding of digital forensics analysis.
Here are some examples:
- Anyone who has an interest in information systems, information security, or computers and would like to gain a deeper understanding of Windows forensics
- Information security professionals
- Incident response team members
- Law enforcement officers, federal agents, and detectives
- Media exploitation analysts
What are the prerequisites to take the GCFE certification exam?
To put it in simple words, there is no formal schooling or training is required to take the GIAC GCFE certification exam. However, working professionals who understand information security and computers can be the most suitable individuals for the GCFE certification exam.
Professionals with limited computer and information security knowledge must find another certification to strengthen their foundational skills, such as an A+ or a similar certification course.
Skills you’ll learn
-
Apply peer-reviewed techniques to perform proper Windows forensic analysis, focusing on Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server.
-
Using state-of-the-art forensic tools, analyze nearly every action a suspect took on a Windows system, including who created an artifact and how, program execution, file/folder opening, geolocation, browser history, profile use of USB devices, cloud storage usage, and more.
-
Learn how Registry and Windows artifact analysis can determine when a specific user last executed a program and how it can prove intent in cases such as intellectual property theft and hacker-breached systems.
-
Assess the number of times a suspect opened files through browser forensics, shortcut file analysis (LNK), email analysis, and Windows Registry analysis.
-
Cloud storage usage audits include detailed user activity reports, data exfiltration detections, and even documents only available on cloud storage.
-
Determine the data and information the suspect was interested in by identifying items searched by a specific user on a Windows system and performing detailed damage assessments.
-
Analyze Windows Shell Bags to identify every file and directory a user or attacker accessed while accessing local, removable, or network drives.
-
Utilize Windows artifacts such as Registry hives and Event Logs to determine each time a USB device was attached to a Windows system, the files and folders accessed on it, and what user plugged it in.
-
Learn how to analyze Event Logs to determine when and how users logged in to Windows, whether on a remote session, at the keyboard, or simply by unlocking a screensaver.
-
Analyze connected networks and wireless access points to pinpoint the geolocation of a system and determine where a crime was committed.
-
To detect web activity, Use browser forensic tools to analyze a web browser, parse raw SQLite and ESE databases, and examine session recovery artifacts, even if privacy cleaners or in-private browsing software are used.
-
Determine how individuals use a system, whom they communicate with, and what files they download, modify, and delete.
What are the GIAC GCFE certification exam objectives?
Take a quick look at the objectives or domains covered in the GIAC GCFE certification exam:
- Browser forensic artifacts
- Browser structure and analysis
- Cloud storage analysis
- Digital forensic fundamentals
- Email analysis
- Event log analysis
- File and program analysis
- Forensic artifact techniques
- System and device analysis
- User artifact analysis
The final words
Government, organizations and law enforcement agencies need skilled and qualified forensics professionals who can help them perform investigations, gain intelligence from Windows systems, and, most importantly, figure out the root cause of the crime.
To help solve these cases, the GIAC GCFE certification is one of the best options you can consider. As you’ve read this blog, you might now understand the importance of this very certification.
So, if you want to take the first step to build your career in information security, CBT Proxy is here to help you. With us, you can pass the GCFE exam on your first attempt without hassle. To learn more about the process and GCFE exam, click the chat button below, and one of our consultants will contact you.
