CCMA Exam

Are you ready for the challenge?

The Cyber 5W Certified Malware Analyst (CCMA) is a hands-on certification exam designed to test your ability to analyze, reverse-engineer, and report on malicious software. This exam challenges you to demonstrate real-world malware investigation and reporting capabilities, validating your expertise in the field.


Exam Overview

The CCMA Exam simulates a real-world malware incident response scenario. You will be provided with one or more malicious binaries or files, system artifacts, and optional virtual environments where dynamic analysis can be performed. These files represent threats inspired by actual cases such as ransomware infections, info-stealers, loaders, or droppers.


The exam is mapped directly to the core objectives of the C5W Malware Analysis Course and includes:
  • Static Analysis: File inspection, string analysis, PE header parsing, and disassembly.
  • Dynamic Analysis: Sandbox execution, behavioral monitoring, and runtime interaction.
  • Unpacking and Deobfuscation: Identifying and reversing obfuscation layers, extracting payloads.
  • Threat Intelligence Correlation: Identifying malware families, linking to known threat actors or campaigns.
  • IOC Extraction and Reporting: Documenting IPs, domains, file hashes, registry changes, persistence mechanisms, etc.

    • Exam Deliverables

    Learners are required to produce an investigation report that includes:

    1. Sample Handling Documentation: Methods used for obtaining, preparing, and validating the malware samples.
    2. Static Analysis Findings: Identification of file characteristics, strings, and code-level indicators without execution.
    3. Dynamic Analysis Findings: Observed behavior during execution, including persistence, network activity, and file system changes.
    4. Indicators of Compromise (IOCs): Comprehensive list of domains, IPs, file hashes, registry keys, and other artifacts.
    5. Technical Findings: Detailed exploration of malicious functionality, obfuscation techniques, and payload capabilities.
    6. Conclusions and Recommendations: Summarized insights, potential impact assessment, and suggestions for mitigation or further investigation.

    Duration and Submission

    Learners will have one week to complete the exam and submit their malware analysis report. Submissions will be evaluated by the CYBER 5W team based on:

  • Accuracy: Correct identification of malware behavior, artifacts, and IOCs.
  • Depth of Analysis: Thorough interpretation of both static and dynamic findings.
  • Report Quality: Clarity, structure, and professionalism of the submitted report.
  • Passing Score: a minimum score of 70% is required to earn the CCMA certification.

    • Required Skills

    By following these steps and ensuring your technical readiness, you’ll be well-prepared to succeed in the CCMA certification exam. Good luck!

    To successfully pass the CCMA certification exam, you need proficiency in the following areas:

    • Perform static analysis of malware binaries (PE headers, strings, imports, and sections)
    • Conduct dynamic analysis using monitoring tools like Procmon, RegShot, and Wireshark.
    • Identify behavioral indicators and host-based changes (e.g., registry modifications, autoruns).
    • Unpack malware manually or using scripts (e.g., UPX and custom packers)
    • Debug malicious code, including shellcode and droppers
    • Extract and analyze Command-and-Control (C2) traffic (e.g., HTTP, DNS)
    • Perform memory analysis using tools like Volatility
    • Classify malware families and functions (e.g., Infostealer, Ransomware, Backdoor)
    • Create and test custom YARA rules for detection

    Feedback and Certification

    Learners will receive comprehensive feedback that highlights both their strengths and areas needing improvement, supporting their continued development in malware analysis and reverse engineering. Upon successful completion of the exam, students will be awarded the CYBER 5W Certified Cyber Malware Analyst (CCMA) certification, an industry-recognized credential that validates their ability to investigate, dissect, and understand malicious software behavior. This exam offers a hands-on, realistic experience that equips analysts with the confidence and technical skills required to analyze modern malware threats in real-world environments.

    FAQ

    What you need to know about CCMA?

    • How much time do I have to complete the exam?

      One Week to complete the investigation and the report.

    • What does the exam format looks like, is it a multiple choice question (MCQ), or what exactly?

      The exam will be a description of a semi-world case study. You'll be given the data and asked to conduct an investigation and report your findings. No guiding questions and no MCQs.

    • What tools do I need for the exam? Will you provide me with a lab environment?

      You will need a computer with at least 50GB of empty disk space, a relatively good processor, 16GB of RAM, and a Windows VM with your favorite forensic tools. Please refer to the Malware Analysis course for what tools are covered within the course and are recommended.

    • Do I need to write a Forensic Report?
      Is there a particular template for the report

      Yes, this is a critical part of being a professional malware analyst, and the CCMA exam emphasizes this skill.
      There is no preference on the used report template. However, you will be provided with a template so you have an idea what is expected from you.

    • How will my work be evaluated, are there any rubrics used?

      Your report will be evaluated based on your case findings, explanations, and documentation. Following that, all students will be interviewed by a committee of DFIR professionals.

    • Is the evaluation meeting recorded?

      Yes, it will be recorded for future references, credibility, and quality assurance.

    • Is there any support to contact during my exam period?

      You are welcome to email our team info [at] cyber5w [dot] com, but please note that we will not be able to answer any question related to the exam itself. In other words, we won’t be giving any hints to the investigation given for your exam.

    • I took the CCMA course but I’m still not prepared. Do I lose my exam voucher?

      No. You have 1 year from the date you purchased the CCMA course or exam voucher to take the exam whenever you're ready within that period.

    • When can I take the exam?

      You can take the exam anytime you are ready and before the expiration date of the course/exam voucher.

    • What is the expiration date for the certificate?

      There is no expiration date for the certificate. However, we encourage students to retake the exam every 2-3 years to stay current with the DFIR field.

    • How many exam attempts do I have with each voucher?

      You have two exam attempts.

    • Can I do an immediate retake of the exam if I fail?

      No, you will be able to retake the exam after at least one month from your first attempt.

    Refund Policy:

    Refund requests for In-person and Online Virtual Training are accepted before the refund deadline and as long as the online course has not been accessed. To initiate a refund, please submit your request to [email protected]. The registration fee will be refunded, minus a $50 refund processing fee, to the original payment method. Please be advised that CYBER 5W OnDemand Courses are non-refundable and non-transferable once payment has been completed and course material has been accessed.