πŸ” GREM – GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware

🧠 1. Certification Name and Issuing Body

Full Name: GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM)
Issuing Organization: GIAC (Global Information Assurance Certification), part of SANS Institute
Official Website: https://www.giac.org/certification/reverse-engineering-malware-grem/

🧩 2. Certification Level and Type

Level: Advanced
Type: Technical

πŸ“œ 3. Purpose and Goals

Skills Certified:

  • Static and dynamic malware analysis

  • Reverse engineering of malicious executables

  • Analysis of obfuscated or packed binaries

  • Behavioral analysis and sandboxing

Target Roles:

  • Malware Analyst

  • Reverse Engineer

  • Threat Intelligence Analyst

  • Digital Forensics and Incident Response Specialist

Practical Application:

  • Blue Team

  • Threat Hunting

  • Incident Response

  • APT tracking and cyber threat intelligence

  • Malware attribution and classification

πŸŽ“ 4. Prerequisites

Recommended Prior Certifications:

  • GCFA or GCFE

  • GCIH (for incident handling background)

Suggested Experience:

  • 2+ years in cybersecurity or DFIR roles

  • Experience with malware analysis or debugging is strongly recommended

Required Knowledge:

  • Assembly language fundamentals

  • Windows internals

  • Network protocols and traffic analysis

  • Basic programming (C, Python, etc.)

πŸ“š 5. Content and Curriculum

Key Domains/Modules:

  1. Malware lifecycle and classification

  2. Windows PE file format analysis

  3. Static analysis techniques (disassembly, decompiling)

  4. Dynamic analysis (sandboxing, debugger use)

  5. Packers, crypters, and obfuscation

  6. Malicious document analysis (e.g., macros, PDFs)

  7. Network-based malware and C2 communications

  8. Behavioral analysis and reverse engineering tools

Tools and Technologies:

  • IDA Pro

  • Ghidra

  • OllyDbg / x64dbg

  • PEview

  • Wireshark

  • RegShot

  • FakeNet-NG

  • Sysinternals Suite

  • VirusTotal, Hybrid Analysis

Frameworks Mapping:

  • MITRE ATT&CK (especially TTPs related to initial access and execution)

  • NIST malware defense standards

  • NICE Framework – Securely Provision / Protect & Defend

πŸ§ͺ 6. Learning Approach

Style: Mixed (Theoretical + Practical)
Labs: Yes – hands-on labs included in official training (SANS FOR610)
Official Materials:

  • SANS FOR610 courseware

  • Interactive labs

  • Access to instructor Q&A and supplementary material

Recommended Platforms:

  • SANS OnDemand

  • Malware Traffic Analysis (blog)

  • CyberDefenders.org (malware labs)

  • TryHackMe (Malware Analysis rooms)

  • Reverse Engineering challenges (Malware Unicorn, Flare-On)

πŸ“ 7. Exam Format and Details

Mode: Online proctored via GIAC exam portal
Duration: 3 hours
Format:

  • 66–75 questions

  • Multiple choice

  • Scenario-based and technically detailed questions
    Languages: English
    Retake Policy: Allowed after 30-day period (additional fee applies)
    Validity: 4 years

πŸ’° 8. Estimated Cost

Exam Fee: ~$949 USD
Course (SANS FOR610): ~$8,000 USD (includes course + exam voucher)
Renewal Costs: $429 (every 4 years) + CPEs

🌍 9. Industry Recognition

Demand: High in malware research, nation-state threat tracking, and advanced DFIR teams
Recognized By:

  • Government cybersecurity agencies

  • Threat intelligence providers

  • Financial and healthcare sectors with advanced SOCs

Compared to:

  • OSCE (more offensive/red-team oriented)

  • CMRE (Certified Malware Reverse Engineer – niche)

  • GREM is considered one of the gold standards for defensive malware analysts

πŸ’Ό 10. Career Opportunities

Job Roles:

  • Malware Reverse Engineer

  • Threat Intelligence Analyst

  • Cybercrime Investigator

  • DFIR Specialist

  • Security Researcher

Follow-Up Certifications:

  • GNFA (Network Forensics)

  • FOR710 (Advanced Exploit Development)

  • Offensive Security OSED (if transitioning to exploit development)

πŸ’΅ 11. Average Salary

USA: $115,000 – $155,000 USD
Europe: €75,000 – €120,000 EUR
LATAM: $45,000 – $70,000 USD
Post-Certification Increase: 15% – 25% depending on position

πŸ“… 12. Renewal and Maintenance

Validity: 4 years
Requirements:

  • 36 CPEs (Continuing Professional Education credits)

  • $429 renewal fee

  • Optional re-examination

🧭 13. Final Recommendations

Ideal For:

  • Analysts and DFIR professionals dealing with custom malware or nation-state threats

  • Those seeking deep understanding of malware internals

  • Cybersecurity researchers and APT-focused threat hunters

Best Time to Pursue:

  • After solid experience in incident response, Windows internals, or prior reverse engineering practice

  • Ideally after GCFA or similar background

Tips and Advice:

  • Start learning assembly and practicing with Ghidra early

  • Create a home lab to test and reverse malware samples

  • Review past Flare-On challenges and GREM study guides

  • SANS FOR610 is designed to align exactly with GREM – highly recommended