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GIAC Forensic Examiner badge achieved after attending the GCFE Course and Certification
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GIAC© Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE)

Build practical skills in forensic analysis and digital investigation. This prep course is designed to help professionals examine cyber incidents, recover evidence, and support response efforts across enterprise systems. Ideal for those pursuing the GCFE™ certification exam offered by GIAC®.

course: GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE)

Duration: 5 days

Format: Virtual or Classroom

prepare-exam Prepares for Exam: GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) Exam GCFE

certification-icon Prepares for Certification: GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE)

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Overview

Advance your expertise in digital forensics with the Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) training course. Delivered by industry-experienced instructors, this program equips you with practical skills in forensic analysis, evidence collection, and investigation techniques. Learn how to analyze digital artifacts, support incident response, and strengthen security defenses through structured forensic practices. This training prepares you to take the GCFE certification exam and build a strong foundation for a career in cybersecurity and forensic analysis.

This course includes
  • intructor-icon Instructor-led training
  • intructor-icon Practice test
  • intructor-icon Pre-reading
  • intructor-icon Personal Learning Path
  • intructor-icon Certification Guarantee
  • intructor-icon Email, chat and phone support

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Who is this course for?

Whois GIAC© Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) training course for?

The Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) training course is ideal for professionals working in digital forensics, cybersecurity, and incident response. It is particularly suited for those responsible for investigating security incidents, analyzing digital evidence, and supporting legal or internal investigations. This course is designed to equip learners with practical skills in areas such as file system analysis, Windows forensics, malware and memory analysis, mobile device forensics, network artifacts, and timeline reconstruction. Participants also gain experience in documentation and reporting best practices - critical for communicating findings effectively. Whether you are part of a security operations center (SOC), a law enforcement agency, a corporate security team, or an IT department tasked with forensic responsibilities, this course will prepare you to handle real-world digital investigations and support your readiness for the GCFE certification exam.


Disclaimer: Readynez is an independent training provider and is not affiliated with the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) organization. All GIAC® certification names, including GFACT™, GPEN, GICSP, GRID, and others, are trademarks or registered trademarks of GIAC®. Our courses are designed to help learners prepare for GIAC® certification exams, which are administered independently by GIAC®. Certification exam fees are separate and paid directly to GIAC®.

Curriculum

What you will learn during our GIAC© Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) course.

  • Understanding the digital forensic process and methodology
  • Exploring Windows file systems (NTFS, FAT, exFAT)
  • Key concepts like sectors, clusters, slack space, and MFT
  • Disk imaging and acquisition techniques using common tools
  • Forensic analysis using industryrecognized utilities
  • Examining the forensic value of Windows OS artifacts
  • Registry analysis using RegRipper and Registry Explorer
  • Event log analysis with tools like Log Parser Lizard
  • Analyzing browser history and email files for evidence
  • Techniques for recovering deleted files and fragmented data
  • Timeline reconstruction using log2timeline and Plaso
  • Building chronological activity reports for forensic investigations
  • Memory acquisition using tools like DumpIt and WinPMEM
  • Indepth analysis with Volatility and Rekall
  • Investigating memory artifacts (processes, DLLs, sockets, etc.)
  • Identifying malware through static and dynamic analysis
  • Tools: YARA, VirusTotal, PEview, Process Monitor, IDA Pro
  • Investigating system changes caused by malware
  • Recovery of artifacts such as prefetch files and registry changes

Preparation

How to get ready for the Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) training course

  • Orange-check A basic understanding of the Windows operating system and file systems
  • Orange-check Familiarity with using both command line and GUI-based tools
  • Orange-check Foundational knowledge of networking concepts and communication protocols
  • Orange-check Introductory knowledge of malware behavior and the basics of reverse engineering

Meet our instructors

Meet some of the Readynez Instructors you can meet on your course. They are experts, passionate about what they do, and dedicated to give back to their industry, their field, and those who want to learn, explore, and advance in their careers.

Kevin Henry

Kevin has served for years as an authorised instructor for (ISC)2 and is renowned for his 20-year contribution to learners training for IT security skills

Kevin Henry is a well-known and highly respected expert instructor with Readynez.

Kevin has served for many years as an authorised instructor for (ISC)2 and he is renowned for his 20-year contribution to learners training for IT security skills- and certifications such as the CISSP, CSSLP, CISM, CISA and CCSP everywhere in the world.

Kevin is a force to be reckoned with, being an authorised instructor and training no less than 9.000 online learners monthly in the fields of information security and audit, in addition to the many students that attend his instructor-led courses with Readynez

He is also one of the most highly-rated instructors and most often he is given scores of 10/10 by his delegates. 

 

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FAQ

FAQs for the GCFE prep course.

The GCFE™ certification demonstrates your ability to collect, analyze, and interpret digital evidence from Windows-based systems. It validates key forensic skills required to support incident response, investigations, and legal procedures.

 

You can prepare by enrolling in instructor-led training that aligns with the certification’s objectives. At Readynez, we provide hands-on, expert-led courses tailored for individuals and teams aiming to succeed in forensic analysis and certification.

 

While there are no formal prerequisites, candidates should be comfortable with Windows operating systems, command-line and GUI-based forensic tools, and foundational networking concepts. The exam consists of 115 proctored questions, with a minimum passing score of 71% required.

 

The standalone exam typically costs €880. Certification is valid for four years, after which a renewal process is required.

 

The exam assesses core digital forensic skills, including:

  • Windows system and device profiling
  • Acquisition and analysis of digital evidence
  • Registry and artifact analysis
  • Event log and browser data interpretation
  • Timeline and user communication analysis

Yes, the GCFE™ credential can significantly enhance your credibility as a digital forensic examiner. It helps demonstrate your readiness for roles in incident response, cyber investigations, and legal forensics.

 

Timelines vary by experience and study commitment. While training may span a few weeks to months, full certification—including exam preparation—can take several months to a year depending on the individual.

 

Yes. The certification exam is delivered online and is proctored through authorized providers such as ProctorU or PearsonVUE.

 

The difficulty level depends on your background. For candidates with hands-on forensic experience and adequate preparation, the exam is challenging but manageable. It tests deep knowledge of Windows forensics and practical investigation techniques.

You need to score at least 71% to pass the exam. The exam consists of 115 questions to be completed within a 3-hour time limit.

 

The GCFE credential is valid for four years. Renewal can be completed by submitting continuing education credits or retaking the exam through the certifying body’s official channels.

 

Salaries vary based on region, experience, and role. However, professionals holding this certification often earn between $85,000 to $110,000 per year, with potential for higher earnings in specialized roles.

 

Reviews

Feedback from our delegates.

Stephen Ridgway

Readynez is the best training provider I've used for many years. Their customer service is first class, prices are very competitive and instruction excellent.

Johan Andersson

Johan Andersson

Easy to attend over Teams and an excellent instructor gave me great value for the time I invested.

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