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Xcademia
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XMRE

Xcademia Malware Reverse Engineering Practitioner

6-Day Instructor-Led Programme

The XMRE Certification Programme is the practitioner standard for malware analysts and reverse engineers who dissect, understand, and extract intelligence from malicious software across Windows, Linux, and cross-platform malware families. Assessed on Day 6 through a supervised malware analysis exercise producing a professional threat intelligence report. No MCQs. No exam. You either understand the code or you do not.

Duration

6 Days

Price

$5,620

Xcademia Malware Reverse Engineering Practitioner
Duration
6 Days
Complete in 6 days
Learning Style
Mentor-led, practical and scenario-based
Guided walkthroughs, real-world examples, and applied skills for the workplace.

Course Overview

Malware is the instrument of almost every significant cyber attack. Understanding it at the binary level is one of the most powerful capabilities a security professional can develop. But malware reverse engineering is a craft skill that no exam can assess. XMRE is built for analysts who want to genuinely understand malware, not just identify it.

Across six instructor-led days, participants build capability from assembly language and file format understanding through static analysis using Ghidra and IDA Free, dynamic analysis in controlled sandbox environments, advanced obfuscation recognition and unpacking, network traffic analysis for malware communications, rootkit and kernel malware analysis, and structured threat intelligence extraction. Every session uses real malware samples from current threat actor campaigns in isolated, authorised lab environments.

On Day 6, participants receive an unknown malware sample. They conduct static and dynamic analysis, identify the malware family and capabilities, map techniques to MITRE ATT&CK, extract IOCs, and produce a professional threat intelligence report. A senior practitioner reviews analysis methodology and report quality. XMRE certificate and Practitioner Assessment Report issued together.

Hands-On Learning

Hands-on static analysis with Ghidra, IDA Free, and FLOSS, dynamic analysis in FlareVM and REMnux, malware unpacking and deobfuscation exercises, C2 traffic analysis with Wireshark, and a supervised analysis exercise on Day 6 using real malware samples.

Mentor-Led Sessions

Mentor-led sessions examining real malware families from current threat actor campaigns: ransomware, RATs, info-stealers, rootkits, and nation-state malware, guided by a practitioner who has analysed production malware in real incident contexts.

Career-Ready Skills

Conduct structured malware analysis and reverse engineering engagements, extract indicators of compromise and threat intelligence, and produce professional malware analysis reports aligned to MITRE ATT&CK.

Learning Outcomes

Conduct structured static malware analysis using Ghidra, IDA Free, and FLOSS to identify capabilities and obfuscation techniques from PE and ELF samples

Execute controlled dynamic analysis using Process Monitor, API Monitor, and x64dbg to capture malware behaviour in safe FlareVM and REMnux environments

Unpack and deobfuscate malware samples using manual and automated methodology to expose encrypted payloads and hardcoded configurations

Analyse C2 communication protocols and map malware network behaviour to infrastructure for attribution and detection

Develop YARA detection rules from malware analysis findings and map identified techniques to MITRE ATT&CK v14

Produce professional malware analysis and threat intelligence reports that inform SOC detection engineering and incident response operations

Prerequisites

1

Minimum 12 months in a SOC, DFIR, or security engineering role with exposure to malware or threat analysis

2

Basic understanding of Windows and Linux operating systems, file systems, and networking fundamentals

3

Familiarity with at least one scripting language: Python or PowerShell for automation of analysis tasks

Detailed Syllabus

Organized by professional domains with comprehensive coverage

Topics Covered:
  • •Malware analysis methodology: static, dynamic, and advanced analysis phases and when to use each
  • •FlareVM and REMnux environment setup: tool installation, network isolation, and safe sample handling
  • •Hash verification and malware taxonomy: MD5/SHA-256/SHA-1 generation and malware family classification
  • •Safe sample sourcing: MalwareBazaar, VirusTotal, and AnyRun for authorised research samples
  • •MITRE ATT&CK malware analysis methodology: technique identification from behavioural observation
Stage 5Final Capstone

Xcademia Malware Reverse Engineering Practitioner — Capstone Project

On Day 6, participants receive an unknown malware sample in an isolated lab environment. They independently conduct static and dynamic analysis, identify the malware family and full capability set, map all techniques to MITRE ATT&CK v14, extract network and host IOCs, develop a YARA detection rule, and produce a professional threat intelligence report. The senior practitioner reviews analysis methodology, technical depth, and report quality throughout.

Assessed by a senior Xcademia practitioner

Framework Alignment

This course is mapped directly onto the standards your organisation already answers to. No invented frameworks, no proprietary jargon.

  • MITRE ATT&CK v14

    Global

    All malware capabilities mapped to ATT&CK technique IDs throughout: primary analysis and documentation framework

  • MITRE ATLAS

    Global

    AI-enabled malware and adversarial ML techniques referenced in advanced analysis context

  • NIST SP 800-61

    Global

    Malware analysis as a component of incident response: integration with IR lifecycle methodology

  • CISA Malware Analysis Guidance

    Global

    US CISA malware safe handling and analysis best practices throughout all domains

  • VirusTotal Intelligence

    Global

    Malware family research, infrastructure mapping, and attribution methodology

  • MalwareBazaar

    Global

    Open-source malware repository: real sample sourcing for authorised analysis exercises throughout

  • YARA Project Standards

    Global

    YARA rule syntax, best practices, and deployment methodology for detection engineering

  • OpenIOC / STIX 2.1

    Global

    IOC format standards: structured indicator production from malware analysis findings

Skills You'll Gain

Master these in-demand skills through hands-on practice

Static malware analysis (Ghidra/IDA Free)Assembly language for analystsDynamic analysis (x64dbg/Procmon)Malware unpacking and deobfuscationC2 protocol analysisRansomware analysisInformation stealer reverse engineeringYARA rule developmentIOC extractionMITRE ATT&CK malware mappingRootkit and kernel analysisThreat intelligence report writing

Career Progression

A clear view of the roles this programme supports, what typically comes next, and where learners progress over time

Malware AnalystReverse EngineerDFIR SpecialistThreat Intelligence AnalystVulnerability ResearcherSOC L3 Analyst
Flexible Delivery Options

Ways to Learn

Choose the learning format that works best for you and your team

Book Now

Live Online

Instructor-Led Training

Join live instructor-led sessions from anywhere. Interactive, engaging, and flexible.

6 Days
Small cohorts
  • Live instructor interaction (real-time)
  • Trainer-led walkthroughs and real examples
  • Guided resources and session notes provided
  • Structured Q&A and practical discussion

Price per person

$5,620+ VAT

Group enrolments and early planning options available.

All prices are exclusive of VAT where applicable. Group enrolments and custom packages available on request.

Premium Training Option

Prefer a Faster, Personalised Route into IT?

Not everyone learns best in a group. If you want focused guidance, faster clarity, and confidence you can use on the job, our 1-to-1 Fast-Track Training gives you private, mentor-led support tailored to your experience and goals.

Personalised Xcademia Malware Reverse Engineering Practitioner learning plan
Tailored to your pace and goals
Live 1-to-1 sessions
With an experienced mentor
Real-world troubleshooting
Practice, not just exam theory
Flexible scheduling
To fit around work, study, or family

"Many learners choose 1-to-1 when they want understanding, not memorisation."

Explore 1-to-1 Fast-Track Training

Exam & Certification Information

Everything you need to know about the certification exams

Xcademia Certification Programme

Xcademia Certification Programme

On successful completion of Xcademia Malware Reverse Engineering Practitioner, learners are assessed on the final day through a supervised practitioner scenario. Three outcomes are possible, Certificate Awarded, Certificate Deferred, or Not Awarded. The Practitioner Assessment Report and certificate are issued together. Verified at xcademia.com/verify.

Certificate Awarded

Assessed competent on the final day.

Certificate Deferred

Resit available on a future cohort.

Not Awarded

Attendance record issued. Reassessment possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this course

SANS FOR610 costs approximately $9,779 total for training and GREM exam. XMRE is 6 instructor-led days ending in a supervised malware analysis exercise on Day 6 where participants analyse a real isolated malware sample and produce a professional threat intelligence report. The Practitioner Assessment Report documents what was analysed and how. Less than half the GREM total cost.

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Digital certificate upon completion
Comprehensive course materials
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