Registered Intrusion Analyst

Exam format

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Registered Intrusion Analyst Exam Format

CRIA

Everything the official exam blueprint specifies: question count, time limit, scoring and the weight each domain carries. The CREST Registered Intrusion Analyst (CRIA) certification is a globally recognized entry-level credential designed for professionals working in Security Operations Centers (SOCs). It validates the practical skills needed to detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats effectively. The exam covers five core domains: Incident Response, Forensic Analysis and Investigation, Malware Analysis, Network Security Monitoring, and SOC Processes and Operations. Candidates are tested on their ability to perform hands-on analysis of real-world scenarios, including examining digital evidence, analyzing malware behavior, and correlating network events. A CRIA-certified professional demonstrates competency in triaging alerts, conducting forensic investigations, and contributing to incident response efforts. This certification is often a prerequisite for more advanced CREST qualifications and is highly valued by employers seeking skilled intrusion analysts. The exam emphasizes practical, scenario-based questions that require candidates to apply their knowledge under time constraints, ensuring they are job-ready upon certification. CRIA holders are equipped to handle initial incident response tasks, perform basic malware analysis, and support senior analysts in complex investigations. The certification also promotes adherence to industry best practices and legal frameworks, making it essential for compliance-driven environments.

150 questions
180 min
60% to pass
5 domains

Exam facts at a glance

The published specifications for this certification.

SpecificationValue
Questions150
Time limit180 minutes (72s per question)
Passing score60% — Achieved when an overall pass of 60% or 54 marks is secured
Domains5
LevelProfessional
Question bank here150 questions
Published formatOfficial exam structure: "This CREST Registered-level practical based exam comprises one multiple-choice assessment, with answers weighted according to difficulty." Bullets: "An invigilated, multiple-choice assessment"; "Comprised of 150 questions, which all need to be attempted"; "Available to book at a Pearson Vue Testing Centre". Exam duration: "The exam duration is 2.5 hours."
SourceOfficial exam specification, published by the vendor

Official domain weights

The percentage of the exam each domain carries. Weight your revision by these numbers, not by what you find hardest.

DomainWeightTopicsPractice Qs
Malware Analysis20%
  • Perform static analysis of malware samples (file properties, strings, hashes).
  • Conduct dynamic analysis of malware in a sandboxed environment.
  • Identify malware characteristics such as persistence mechanisms, C2 communications, and payloads.
  • +2 more
31
Incident Response25%
  • Understand and apply incident response methodologies (e.g., SANS PICERL, NIST SP 800-61).
  • Identify, triage, and prioritize security incidents based on severity and impact.
  • Conduct initial containment, eradication, and recovery procedures.
  • +2 more
38
Network Security Monitoring15%
  • Analyze network traffic logs from firewalls, IDS/IPS, and proxies.
  • Interpret alerts from Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems.
  • Identify anomalous network patterns and potential threats (e.g., port scans, data exfiltration).
  • +2 more
22
SOC Processes and Operations15%
  • Understand SOC tiers and escalation procedures.
  • Apply knowledge of the Cyber Kill Chain and MITRE ATT&CK framework.
  • Perform threat hunting based on hypotheses and IoCs.
  • +2 more
21
Forensic Analysis and Investigation25%
  • Acquire and preserve digital evidence from various sources (disk, memory, network).
  • Perform forensic analysis of Windows and Linux systems to identify Indicators of Compromise (IoCs).
  • Analyze volatile and non-volatile data using appropriate tools (e.g., Velociraptor, FTK Imager, Autopsy).
  • +2 more
38

The heaviest domain is Malware Analysis at 20%, and that is where lost points cost you the most. Certilum scores you per domain so you can see the difference between a knowledge gap and a formatting problem.

Note from the vendor record: Active; delivered entirely at Pearson VUE test centres. Prerequisite confirmed on the official page: candidates "are required to hold the 'CREST Practitioner' status by having successfully undertaken and passed the CREST Practitioner Intrusion Analyst exam" (CPIA), and "must hold a valid CREST Practitioner Intrusion Analyst certification to be able to book"; credential is "Valid for three (3) years". Caveat: pass-mark conflict between official sources - the certification page says "60% or 54 marks" while the CREST Assessors Panel Notes for Candidates PDF states CRIA needs "at least 90 marks (possible total: 150 marks)" (60% of 150). Legacy URL https://www.crest-approved.org/certification/cria/ returns 404 (verified); fee is set per level (600 GBP Registered), not per credential. Official exam page

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