Certified iOS Security Engineer (CISE)

This achievement signifies your comprehensive grasp of critical iOS security domains including information gathering, reverse engineering of iOS applications, exploitation of iOS components and libraries, application of security principles for ARM64 devices, identification of logic flaws, circumvention of anti-debugging and obfuscation measures, development of exploits within iOS environments, cryptography, and vulnerability detection.

The exam is designed for security experts, iOS developers, and individuals keen on substantiating their proficiency in the realm of iOS security at an advanced level.

Benefits include:

1. Enhanced Mastery: The certification attests to your deep understanding of iOS application security and platform internals, spotlighting your expertise.
2. Credibility: This certification serves as an accredited endorsement, validating your skills and knowledge, and bolstering your professional credibility.
3. Career Advancement: Doors open to specialized roles like iOS security engineer, application security consultant, penetration tester, and more.
4. Salary Elevation: Certification often accompanies higher earning potential due to its specialized validation of skills and expertise.
5. Industry Acknowledgment: Being certified symbolizes your commitment and can lead to recognition from peers, employers, and within the industry.
6. Risk Management: Armed with newfound knowledge, you aid organizations in pinpointing and remedying vulnerabilities in their iOS applications, minimizing security risks.
7. Optimized Security Practices: The certification equips you with the latest best practices and techniques to weave robust security measures into iOS applications.
8. Problem Solving: Certification training hones your knack for identifying and resolving security-related challenges unique to iOS applications.

This certification is tailored for skilled malware analysts, mobile developers, Android security researchers, and individuals passionate about uncovering Android malware intricacies.

The certification exam is conducted over a period of  24 hours and tests your expertise across the following domains:

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 reverse engineering tools such as IDA Pro, Hopper, Frida, radare2, etc.

As an aspiring candidate, you’re invited to undertake the CISE challenge. While the exam is open to all, those primed for success possess nuanced knowledge of iOS application vulnerabilities and exploits.

Prerequisites encompass familiarity with penetration testing engagements, a solid grasp of iOS app architecture, security mechanisms, and components, experience in mobile app vulnerability assessments, expertise in manual exploitation, sandbox restrictions bypass, XPC interception, and expertise in iOS app reverse engineering and algorithmic analysis.

The CISE Exam is the industry benchmark, assessing your practical acumen in real-world scenarios. This hands-on evaluation reflects your adeptness in navigating iOS security challenges. Genuine scenarios, ranging across five difficulty levels, will task you with activities spanning reverse engineering, pivoting, and exploiting iOS applications, libraries, and platform elements, all with the objective of acquiring the FLAG! Hone your analytical abilities for effective penetration testing and analysis.

Your ultimate deliverable is an exhaustive report, including fully functional proof-of-concept iOS binaries and daemons. This report undergoes scrutiny from a skilled panel of industry experts, reinforcing your mastery in the iOS security landscape. Seize the challenge of the CISE Certification Exam and elevate your professional journey, where expertise meets recognition.

Successful candidates will be awarded the 8kSec Certified iOS Security Expert certification upon triumphing in the exam. This credential underscores their proficiency in iOS security and reverse engineering. It stands as a testament to their competencies in reverse engineering and securing iOS applications along with additional focus on platform internals.