Candidates for CEH certification are required to pass a 125-question, multiple-choice exam that takes four hours and tests for knowledge in five key areas: network reconnaissance, network access, network enumeration, maintaining network access, and disguising evidence of a network breach.
The concept behind the term “ethical hacker,” despite initially appearing to be an oxymoron, is that “to beat a hacker you need to think like one.” In fact, The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) uses that slogan to describe its ethical hacker certification.
The term “Certified Ethical Hacker” was first applied to someone who had the aptitude for hacking but was constrained by moral principles to engage in only legal activity. Over time, the term “ethical hacker” has expanded to encompass all security experts who offer offensive services, including red teams, pentesters, and independent offensive consultants. We Found These Schools With CEH Certification Courses.
The EC-Council organization accredits experts in a range of e-business and security abilities. “To validate information security professionals who are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge required in a specialized information security domain that will help them avert a cyber conflict, should the need ever arise,” is their mission statement. ”.
What is a Certified Ethical Hacker? CEH ANSI vs. CEH Practical Exams
What are the CEH certification requirements?
You must adhere to certain age and experience requirements in order to pursue a CEH certification. Candidates must be at least 18 years old to enroll in training programs and take the CEH exam. Additionally, before taking the exam, candidates must complete acceptable training programs or have prior experience in a position related to network security. After receiving certification, coding abilities can be used to apply for jobs as ethical hackers, as many positions require some knowledge of computer programming.
What is a CEH certification?
A CEH certification, or certified ethical hacker, demonstrates your capacity to comprehend and apply network security measures for the components of a business connected to the internet. This could entail putting in place preventative security measures to stop hackers from breaking into a company’s network using tools like malware and computer viruses. The CEH certification demonstrates to potential employers that you have the computer programming and network security knowledge necessary to thwart these attacks before they occur.
One crucial aspect of a CEH certification is that it calls for holders to swear an oath to uphold the law and a code of ethics while applying their knowledge. The rationale behind this rule is that many ethical hackers share knowledge and skills with those who attack networks, so the CEH certification aims to demonstrate to employers that the holder is trustworthy and operates ethically.
How to earn a CEH certification
Follow these steps to earn a CEH certification:
1. Get a related bachelors degree
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a field related to ethical hacking, such as computer science or cybersecurity, is helpful for starting your career. Many network security jobs require some kind of prior experience with networks, programming, or related systems even though you don’t necessarily need a degree to get one. This is to make sure employees are fully aware of their responsibilities and tasks. This indicates that a bachelor’s degree may make it simpler for you to find employment in the security industry and begin your journey toward CEH certification.
2. Gain experience
Once you have your degree, try to find a job in the field of network security to begin gaining experience that will help you pass the CEH exam. Prior to taking the exam, candidates must have two years of security experience, according to the organization that administers it, the EC-Council. However, you can also enroll in approved training programs to get around this requirement and study security and ethical hacking with qualified teachers. You can gain the knowledge necessary to pass the exam and become a successful ethical hacker from this experience, which aids in exam preparation.
3. Apply for the exam
There are various levels of CEH exams available, but the prerequisites for the first level of examination are a completed application through the EC-Council, documentation of prior experience, and payment of an application fee. Normally, the EC-Council checks applications for accuracy and responds to applicants within a few days. Once your application has been approved by the EC-Council, you can register for the CEH exam and complete your study for it.
4. Pass the exam and receive certification
The CEH exams typically last four hours and include a variety of questions divided into sections. Each test typically has multiple iterations with distinct questions to prevent participants from sharing answers easily. The difficulty of the questions on the particular test you take determines what score you need to pass. You can use your CEH certification to launch your career as a certified ethical hacker once you pass the exam and receive your certificate.
8 jobs for those who have CEH certification
To ensure the security of a company’s data and operations, network security experts are needed for many jobs today. People with a CEH certification can work in a variety of network security roles, such as:
A website administrator’s main responsibilities are to manage the various procedures involved in building and maintaining an effective website for their employer. Each website an administrator manages may have a different set of objectives and purposes for customers or clients depending on the business the employer runs, but the typical duties of the role include designing and building websites with code, updating websites with new features and fixes, and keeping information on the website secure with security measures. Website administrators can more easily safeguard the information of their clients and website visitors if they hold a CEH certification.
Analyzing IT systems and managing any areas where the system may be exposed to cyberattacks are among an IT security specialist’s primary responsibilities. This position entails having a thorough understanding of an organization’s entire IT infrastructure, regularly checking it for modifications or suspicious activity, updating security hardware and software, and putting preventative measures like two-factor authentication and password protection in place.
A CEH certification that demonstrates a candidate’s skill and dependability is useful for this role because IT specialists frequently work with sensitive data via employee or institutional email systems and workplace technology.
Information security experts’ main responsibilities are to safeguard sensitive data transmitted over or saved on a company’s or organization’s network. They do this by conducting routine maintenance on all office equipment, updating security software on a regular basis, developing and analyzing plans to strengthen computer and other internet-accessible device security, and responding to employee inquiries about security risks.
With the help of a CEH certification, information security analysts can better safeguard company information and prevent hackers from accessing the data of their clients and customers.
Principal responsibilities: Cybersecurity analysts assist businesses in preventing outside hackers from accessing customer and client data. A cybersecurity analyst’s main responsibilities include reviewing and developing security protocols for a company’s network, ensuring that every employee follows the right procedures for safeguarding their personal information and the data they work with, and keeping an eye out for threats that could compromise their security measures.
A CEH certification can frequently increase a candidate’s chances of being hired in this role because employers expect cybersecurity analysts to be meticulous, knowledgeable, and experienced workers with experience protecting data.
An IT auditor’s main responsibilities include reviewing and making upgrades to a company’s networks and technological systems to ensure the security of sensitive data. These auditors carry out routine reviews for businesses using predetermined standards to assess how well-protected a system is. Then, they design strategies and offer recommendations for enhancements or novel features that might make a system safer for users and clients.
IT auditors can easily recommend security upgrades that abide by information security laws and satisfy business needs if they have a CEH certification and prior experience.
A network engineer’s main responsibilities include managing a company’s network to ensure that it functions effectively for all parties involved—employees, clients, and customers. This position’s responsibilities could include creating and maintaining a company’s network, updating an existing network to take advantage of new security features and technology, and supporting those who frequently use the network by helping them resolve issues and comprehend how to use it.
A CEH certification can help network engineers stand out on resumes when combined with coding experience and deliver the best network support for a business.
The chief information officer, or CIO, of a company is responsible for managing the IT, computer systems, and network upkeep for that organization. These senior executives consult with other technology and security departments within their organization to guide their choices, evaluate the effectiveness of security policies and procedures for personnel, and propose software and hardware upgrades that can better safeguard sensitive business data. When applying for this high-level position, having a CEH degree may persuade employers that a candidate has advanced security knowledge and the capacity to safeguard a company’s information and processes.
A software architect is a programmer who oversees different facets of software design for a business. For technology companies, the position of a software architect is crucial because these experts create software solutions, direct team members through the process of developing necessary software, and choose which features to include in new software.
A CEH certification can assist architects in understanding how to include security measures to keep the users of their software safe, which is essential for this role and requires a deep understanding of network security.
FAQ
Can I take CEH without experience?
An entry-level certification for penetration testers with little to no experience, the CEH program is run by the information security industry group EC-Council. The quickest route to the exam if you lack information security experience is to enroll in an official EC-Council training course.
Can anyone do CEH?
The answer is yes. You must demonstrate two years of work experience in a field related to security. Before you can take the test, you must also submit an application for CEH exam eligibility and get permission from EC-Council.
Does CEH require coding?
Additionally, before taking the exam, candidates must complete acceptable training programs or have prior experience in a position related to network security. After receiving certification, coding abilities can be used to apply for jobs as ethical hackers, as many positions require some knowledge of computer programming.
How much does CEH certification cost?
Non-member CEH costs USD $1,199 and excludes performance-based questions.
