OffSec IR-200 & OSIR Certification Review
Appl3Tree's detailed review of OffSec's IR-200 course and OSIR certification exam.
OffSec – IR‑200 & OSIR Certification Review
Course & Exam Overview
IR‑200: Foundational Incident Response
- Provider: OffSec
- Content: ~37 hours covering detection, identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and reporting
- Focus: SIEM analysis and host forensics within realistic IR workflows
- Access: 90-day lab included with Course + Cert bundle or available via subscription
OSIR Exam (OffSec Certified Incident Responder)
- Phase 1 (Hands-on): 8-hour proctored lab focused on network analysis and detection tasks
- Phase 2: 24-hour window to compile and submit a professional incident response report
- Scoring: Minimum 50/70 to pass (Phase 1 = 40 points, Phase 2 = 30 points)
- Proctoring: Online, strict policies, open-book allowed
- Validity: Certification is valid for 3 years
Pricing & Access Options
- Course + Cert Bundle: $1,749 (90-day access + one exam attempt)
- Learn One Subscription: $2,749/year (includes two exam attempts)
- Learn Unlimited: Full OffSec course library + unlimited exam attempts
Skills Covered
- Network analysis for detection and identification
- Disk image forensics and malware analysis
- Incident reporting with detailed documentation, timelines, and structured conclusions
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Realistic network and host forensic workflows | High price compared to other IR certs |
| Strong emphasis on structured report writing | Time pressure in both exam and reporting |
| Challenge Lab closely mirrors exam environment | Requires baseline SIEM and forensic knowledge |
| Certification backed by OffSec’s strong reputation | Shorter total training hours than SOC‑200 despite similar price |
Who Should Take It
- SOC analysts aiming to expand into incident response
- Blue team professionals seeking practical, real-world IR certification
- Anyone wanting to validate incident response capabilities under time constraints
Comparable Certifications
- GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) – Strong coverage of IR processes, attacker techniques, and containment
- GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA) – Focuses on forensic investigations and incident response for APTs
- CompTIA CySA+ – Broader security analyst certification with some IR content
- EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH) – Covers IR fundamentals
- BTL1 & BTL2 – Security Blue Team – Blue team fundamentals and intermediate courses including IR workflows, though structured differently compared to OSIR
Preparation Tips
Complete Splunk’s free Fundamentals training before starting IR‑200
While the course does not officially require prior SIEM experience, familiarity with SIEM interfaces, queries, and dashboards will set you up for success. Splunk offers a strong progression of free foundational courses, including Fundamentals 1, 2, and 3:
Splunk Fundamentals TrainingThoroughly complete the IR‑200 Challenge Lab
Treat it as a full mock exam, documenting every step as if writing your OSIR report.Practice with general host forensic analysis tools
Analyze disk images, identify malware artifacts, and write clear, structured findings.Simulate full exam conditions
Allocate an 8-hour block for hands-on practice, then spend the following day writing a complete report to build exam endurance.Develop a structured report template
Include sections for Objectives, Tools Used, Methodology, Findings, Screenshots, and Conclusions to streamline report writing under time constraints.
Lessons Learned
- Documentation quality is as important as technical accuracy
- Time management across hands-on and report phases is critical
- Network analysis and host forensic skills complement each other for effective IR workflows
Final Ratings
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| 🧠 Knowledge Depth | ★★★★☆ |
| 🧪 Real-World Applicability | ★★★★★ |
| 💰 Value for Cost | ★★★☆☆ |
| 📚 Study Requirements | ★★★★☆ |
Exact Numeric Average: 4.0
Overall Score: 4.2 / 5
Why this rating is slightly above the average:
The overall score of 4.2 is slightly higher than the exact average because OSIR fills a critical gap in blue team certifications. Its combination of rigorous hands-on labs, real-world network and forensic workflows, and structured reporting under OffSec’s respected brand offers value beyond what similar-level courses provide.
Final Thoughts
OffSec’s IR‑200 and OSIR certification fill a notable gap for blue teamers seeking hands-on, realistic incident response training with an emphasis on documentation and structured workflows. While intensive and requiring investment, the certification’s strong industry recognition and rigorous exam make it a valuable addition for anyone pursuing SOC or dedicated IR roles.
Although IR‑200 is significantly shorter (~37 hours) than SOC‑200 (~277 hours), it delivers focused, practical training specifically in incident response workflows and reporting. For those seeking a broad foundation in SOC operations, SOC‑200 may provide greater overall value for the price. However, for students wanting targeted incident response training validated by OffSec’s respected certification, IR‑200 remains an excellent choice.
Note: AI-assisted editing was used only for grammar, formatting, and consistency. All opinions are my own based on official OffSec documentation.