🛡️ Mile2 C)DFE
(Certified Digital Forensics Examiner)

🧠 1. Certification Name and Issuing Body

Full certification name: Certified Digital Forensics Examiner (C)DFE
Issuing organization: Mile2
Official website: https://mile2.com/cdfe-certified-digital-forensics-examiner.html

What skills does it certify?
Acquiring, preserving, analyzing, and reporting on digital evidence from compromised systems, with forensic methodologies aligned to legal standards
Target roles or profiles:
Incident Responder, Digital Forensics Analyst, SOC Tier III Analyst, Cybercrime Investigator
Practical applications:
Investigating compromised endpoints, extracting artifacts, preserving evidence chain-of-custody, and supporting incident triage and attribution

Recommended prior certifications:
Security+, CySA+, or C)HT (Mile2 Certified Hacking Technician)
Suggested experience:
1–3 years in cybersecurity, system administration, or blue team operations
Required technical knowledge:
Windows file systems, Linux CLI basics, networking, file hashing, disk imaging, incident response lifecycle

Key domains/modules:
1. Fundamentals of Digital Forensics
2. Evidence Handling and Chain of Custody
3. Operating System Forensics (Windows focus)
4. Disk and File System Structures
5. Memory Forensics and RAM Dump Analysis
6. Log File Examination and Artifacts Recovery
7. Email and Browser Analysis
8. Forensics Reporting and Legal Considerations
Technologies/tools:
FTK Imager, Autopsy/Sleuth Kit, Volatility, OSForensics, Kali Linux, Windows Sysinternals, HashCalc
Framework mapping:
NIST 800-86 (Guide to Integrating Forensics into IR), NIST 800-61 (Incident Response), NICE Framework (PR-IR, DE)

Style: Mixed (theoretical + lab-based)
Labs/environments: Included via Mile2 Lab Portal – virtual forensic environments
Materials: C)DFE student guide, lab manual, video lectures, exam prep
Recommended platforms: Mile2 LMS, CyberDefenders (forensics labs), TryHackMe («Windows IR»), Volatility training docs

Mode: Online proctored via Mile2 Exam System
Duration: 2 hours
Questions: 100 multiple-choice (based on course + labs)
Languages: English
Retake policy: Two free retakes included if training is purchased through Mile2
Certification validity: 3 years

Exam fee: $500 USD
Training bundle: ~$1,000–$1,500 USD (includes courseware, labs, videos, and exam voucher)
Renewal cost: ~$250 USD or upgrade to a higher Mile2 cert

Demand/popularity: Niche but growing; suitable for small to mid-size orgs and MSSPs
Organizations that value it: Law enforcement units, DFIR teams, consulting firms with Mile2 compliance paths
Comparison:
- Less advanced than GCFA (GIAC) or CHFI (EC-Council)
- More accessible for learners than vendor-heavy tools like EnCase or X-Ways
- Good cost-effective entry into DFIR

Job roles:
Digital Forensics Analyst, Incident Responder, Threat Investigator, Security Forensics Consultant
Suggested paths:
→ C)DFE → GCFA / CHFI / Windows Forensics Specialist
→ C)DFE + CySA+ = full SOC L2 Incident Handler base

USA: $75,000–$100,000/year
Europe: €45,000–€70,000/year
Salary impact: Useful for entering forensics or IR-focused positions, especially in DFIR teams
(Sources: PayScale, job boards, Mile2 alumni)

Validity: 3 years
Renewal options:
- Submit CPEs
- Pay ~$250 USD
- Earn a higher-level Mile2 cert (e.g., C)HFI or C)ISSO)

Ideal for:
Cybersecurity professionals or incident responders transitioning into forensic roles with limited prior experience
When to pursue:
After foundational blue team certs (CySA+, GCLD, Security+), or early in an IR analyst role
Tips:
Practice carving files, memory dumps, and using open-source tools (Autopsy, Volatility). Understand report writing and chain-of-custody documentation.