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CISE CERTIFICATION

Certified iOS Security Engineer

Demonstrate mastery in iOS application security, reverse engineering, and platform-level exploitation.

24-Hour Exam
Corellium Lab Environment

Overview

The Certified iOS Security Engineer (CISE) Certification provides a platform for you to demonstrate your mastery in iOS Application Security. Tailored for seasoned mobile developers and security professionals, this certification serves as the pinnacle to validate your expertise in iOS application exploitation.

Your success will be gauged not solely on theoretical knowledge, but on your practical ability to craft complete, functional exploits and bypass mitigations within iOS applications.

Who Should Take This

  • Security experts with iOS expertise
  • iOS developers seeking security validation
  • Penetration testers specializing in iOS
  • Application security consultants
  • Vulnerability researchers focused on Apple platforms

Benefits

Enhanced Mastery

Attests to your deep understanding of iOS application security and platform internals.

Career Advancement

Opens doors to specialized roles like iOS security engineer, application security consultant, and penetration tester.

Salary Elevation

Certification often accompanies higher earning potential due to its specialized validation.

Industry Acknowledgment

Symbolizes your commitment and leads to recognition from peers, employers, and the industry.

Risk Management

Aid organizations in pinpointing and remedying vulnerabilities in their iOS applications.

Problem Solving

Hones your knack for identifying and resolving security-related challenges unique to iOS.

Exam Objectives

1

Reverse Engineer iOS Applications: Analyze and dissect iOS apps and system binaries to understand their inner workings.

2

Attack Surface Identification: Identify and describe the attack surface in iOS, covering both Userland and platform vulnerabilities.

3

Security Mitigations: Understand various security mitigations implemented in iOS Userland and the platform.

4

Permission Model Insights: Understand the concepts and mechanics of the iOS permission model.

5

IPC Mechanisms: Comprehend and differentiate various Inter-Process Communication (IPC) mechanisms in iOS.

6

ARM64 and iOS Security: Exhibit an in-depth understanding of the ARM64 instruction set and its relevance to iOS security.

7

Bug Typology: Identify and categorize common bug types found in iOS applications.

8

Security Auditing: Perform security audits on iOS apps to discover potential vulnerabilities.

9

Anti-Debugging Tactics: Apply techniques to bypass anti-debugging and code obfuscation methods in iOS apps.

10

Reverse Engineering Expertise: Showcase mastery in tools such as IDA Pro, Hopper, Frida, and radare2.

Exam Format

24 hrs

Exam Duration

Report

Final Deliverable

The CISE Exam assesses your practical acumen in real-world iOS security scenarios. Genuine scenarios across five difficulty levels will task you with reverse engineering, pivoting, and exploiting iOS applications, libraries, and platform elements.

Passing Criteria: Your deliverable is an exhaustive report including fully functional proof-of-concept iOS binaries and daemons, reviewed by a panel of industry experts.

Certificate: Successful candidates are awarded the 8kSec Certified iOS Security Engineer certification, underscoring proficiency in iOS security and reverse engineering.

Lab Environment

During the exam, you will have access to a dedicated lab environment providing virtualized ARM devices via Corellium for practical evaluations on both iOS and Android ecosystems.

Prerequisites

  • Familiarity with penetration testing engagements
  • Solid grasp of iOS app architecture, security mechanisms, and components
  • Experience in mobile app vulnerability assessments
  • Expertise in manual exploitation and sandbox restrictions bypass
  • Proficiency in iOS app reverse engineering

Recommended Training

Practical iOS Application Exploitation

Learn to reverse engineer and conduct thorough security audits of iOS applications using Ghidra, Frida, LLDB, and more. Covers common bug categories with detailed exploitation walkthroughs.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this Certification intended for?
The exam is designed for security experts, iOS developers, and individuals keen on substantiating their proficiency in iOS security at an advanced level.
Is prior experience required?
Yes. The CISE certification assumes hands-on experience in iOS security, deep familiarity with iOS application reverse engineering and exploitation. This is not an entry-level certification.
How long does it take to prepare?
Preparation time varies based on your individual learning pace. On average, participants spend a few days to several weeks preparing. It is recommended to spend at least 2-3 weeks practicing before attempting the exam.
Is training mandatory before taking the exam?
The certification is currently offered upon successful completion of the accompanying training class.
Do I need to set up my own labs?
No, we will provide you access to our lab environment and an instruction guide during the exam.
How long does it take to get results?
Once you submit your report, a member of our review board will review it and provide results within 3 business days.
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