Certified Counter-Terrorism Financing Specialist (CCTFS) Certification Program by Tonex
The Certified Counter-Terrorism Financing Specialist (CCTFS) certification equips professionals with the expertise to detect, investigate, and mitigate the risks of terrorist financing. This comprehensive 2-day program covers the latest threats, regulatory frameworks, investigative techniques, and advanced financial intelligence strategies. Participants will learn to analyze suspicious transactions, trace illicit financial networks, and implement countermeasures to disrupt terrorist funding sources.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this certification, participants will be able to:
- Understand global and regional terrorist financing threats, methodologies, and typologies.
- Identify red flags and indicators of suspicious financial activity linked to terrorism.
- Investigate financial flows, networks, and money laundering techniques used to fund terrorism.
- Apply AI and data analytics in detecting illicit financial activities.
- Implement AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering / Counter-Terrorism Financing) regulatory frameworks and compliance strategies.
- Trace crypto-financing and dark web transactions associated with terrorist organizations.
- Leverage forensic accounting and financial intelligence (FININT) to uncover hidden funding mechanisms.
- Develop counter-terrorist financing (CTF) risk assessments for financial institutions and government agencies.
- Utilize sanctions screening tools and intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
- Understand the role of law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and financial institutions in combating terrorism financing.
Target Audience
This certification is designed for professionals in:
- Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) & Law Enforcement Agencies
- Regulatory Bodies & Compliance Officers
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) Professionals
- Banking & Financial Services Risk Management Teams
- Government & National Security Officials
- Forensic Accountants & Fraud Analysts
- Crypto-Asset & Dark Web Investigators
- Defense, Intelligence, and Security Personnel
- Legal & Compliance Experts Specializing in Financial Crimes
Program Modules
Day 1: Fundamentals & Investigative Techniques
Module 1: Introduction to Terrorism Financing
- Defining terrorism financing and key actors
- How terrorist organizations raise and distribute funds
- Case studies of financial operations of terrorist networks
Module 2: AML/CFT Compliance Frameworks
- Overview of global AML/CFT regulations
- Key compliance requirements for financial institutions
- Sanctions programs and enforcement actions
Module 3: Financial Intelligence & Forensic Analysis
- How financial intelligence units (FIUs) operate
- Investigating suspicious financial transactions
- Using forensic accounting to trace illicit funds
Module 4: Cryptocurrency & Dark Web Investigations
- Tracking Bitcoin, Monero, and privacy-focused cryptocurrencies
- Blockchain forensics and tracing illicit transactions
- Investigating dark web marketplaces and terrorist funding sources
Day 2: Advanced Techniques & Counter-Strategies
Module 5: Advanced Terrorism Financing Techniques
- Trade-based money laundering and shell companies
- Hawala networks and informal remittance systems
- Using charities and NPOs for terrorist financing
Module 6: Transaction Monitoring & Red Flags
- How banks and financial institutions monitor for terrorist financing
- AI and machine learning in transaction monitoring
- Real-world red flag indicators of terrorist financing
Module 7: Case Studies & Intelligence Sharing
- Real-world terrorism financing investigations
- The role of public-private partnerships in disrupting terrorism financing
- Intelligence sharing between FIUs, law enforcement, and financial institutions
Module 8: Practical Workshop & Certification Exam Review
- Hands-on exercises in investigating suspicious transactions
- Case study analysis and risk assessment simulations
- Certification exam preparation and Q&A
Exam Format & Passing Criteria
- Format: 100 multiple-choice questions
- Duration: 2 hours
- Passing Score: 75% (75/100)
- Exam Mode: Online or in-person
- Validity: 3 years (renewal via continuing education or re-examination)
Exam Domains and Coverage
The CCTFS exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering the following domains:
Domain 1: Introduction to Terrorism Financing (20%)
- Overview of terrorist financing and global threats
- Historical and emerging trends in financing terrorism
- Methods used by terrorist organizations to move funds
- Case studies of major terrorist financing networks
Domain 2: Financial Intelligence & Transaction Monitoring (20%)
- How financial institutions monitor transactions for terrorism financing
- Suspicious activity reporting (SARs) and red flag indicators
- Role of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) and intelligence sharing
- Use of forensic accounting in terrorism financing investigations
Domain 3: AML/CFT Regulations & Compliance (20%)
- Key global regulations: FATF, USA PATRIOT Act, UN Security Council Resolutions, EU AML Directives
- KYC (Know Your Customer), CDD (Customer Due Diligence), and EDD (Enhanced Due Diligence) procedures
- Global watchlists and sanctions programs (OFAC, UN, EU, etc.)
- Compliance best practices for financial institutions
Domain 4: Crypto-Assets & Dark Web Investigations (15%)
- How cryptocurrencies are used in terrorism financing
- Blockchain analysis tools and tracing illicit transactions
- Dark web marketplaces and financial anonymity challenges
- Techniques for tracking virtual assets linked to terrorist groups
Domain 5: Case Studies & Practical Investigation Techniques (15%)
- Investigating non-profit organizations (NPOs) and NGOs used as terrorist funding fronts
- Hawala networks and informal value transfer systems
- Disrupting terrorist cash smuggling and trade-based money laundering
- Real-world terrorist financing case studies and lessons learned
Domain 6: Risk Assessment & Mitigation Strategies (10%)
- Risk-based approach to countering terrorist financing
- Institutional risk assessments and scenario modeling
- Intelligence-led financial crime prevention strategies
- Public-private partnerships in countering terrorism financing