As a forensics examiner with over 15 years of experience, I decided that I would take the challenge of Cyber 5W CCDFA certification exam. I will admit, I learned some new things, but I won’t lie to you: during the training portion, I read the material, but I chose to skip the hands-on labs, as I felt I was already familiar enough with what Ali was teaching.

After completing the course, I signed up for the exam, thinking that since the training was easy to understand and not too complicated, then how bad could the exam be?

Well… I was in for a surprise!

First, this is not a question-based exam. You are asked to examine and analyze a forensic scenario and provide a report to be peer reviewed. You are given a week to complete the exam. No matter how much you beg and plead that you need more time because of other life issues, such as your job or family, you won’t get it (and YES, I asked). My thought is the deadline is part of the exam criteria.

Second, my scenario was different, and I have no trouble telling you that when I reviewed it, I wasn’t sure how to start it or what my report would look like. Not because I didn’t know how to use the tools or even understand the concepts, but more along the lines that I’ve never done this type of scenario in my career. So right off the bat, I hated it. After a couple of days, basically feeling sorry for myself, I smartened up and took the challenge. Let me tell you, this turned out to be more fun than fill-in-the-blank exam questions.

Even after I submitted my report, I wasn’t sure if I had passed. Turns out I did! Passing the peer review of my report led us to the second portion of the exam: an interview with Ali and Jessica where I was asked a multitude of questions and had to explain my reasoning within my forensic report. Although this exam had its challenges, I thoroughly enjoyed the process and I commend Ali and Jessica for continuing to challenge me even after 15 years of forensics work.