Hackers cost the e-commerce industry billions of dollars yearly. With the frequency and complexity of cybercrime on the rise, the demand for ethical hackers is also increasing.
Ethical hackers have the same abilities and expertise as their unethical rivals and help detect flaws and vulnerabilities a hacker might exploit. However, clients prefer to recruit people with industry-recognized qualifications due to the issue’s sensitivity. So if you are interested in making a career in this industry, the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is one of the greatest accreditations to get.
What is CEH?
The CEH body of knowledge comprises thorough contributions from security specialists, academics, industry practitioners, and the general security community.
EC Council provides the CEH certification to verify your expertise in circumventing an organization’s security defense by accessing its network, apps, databases, and other vital data through security vulnerabilities.
A Certified Ethical Hacker certification equips you to match the methods and ingenuity of a black hat hacker while also providing you with an in-depth grasp of hacking tools, emerging attack routes, and preventative countermeasures.
It concentrates on offensive hacking tactics and technology. This sophisticated security software is updated regularly to reflect the most recent advancements in the domain, such as new hacking tactics, exploits, automated programs, and defensive measures provided by specialists in the field.
Benefits of a CEH Certification
- Additional Qualifications for the Position
A CEH certification verifies your abilities as a penetration tester and assures that they are per industry-recognized standards if you consider a cybersecurity career. In addition, the certification establishes a benchmark for your competence as an ethical hacker and positions you for various cybersecurity responsibilities.
As an ethical hacker, the findings you offer or the flaws you discover are kept private. In such circumstances, demonstrating your skill set and suitability for a job becomes difficult. However, you must use caution when disclosing facts to a hiring manager, as you do not want to jeopardize legal agreements with your old employer.
- Relates to Industry Frameworks
The CEH course curriculum maps the industry frameworks such as NICE/NIST, produced by the partnership of the Department of Homeland Security, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
This helps you advance your career as a federal employee since CEH v11 aligns with the NICE 2.0 framework’s Specialty Areas – Protect and Defend (PR), Analyze (AN), and Securely Provision (SP).
- Improves Salary Expectations
Onboarding certified experts into a company is simple because they require little training. Thus, employers in cybersecurity favor candidates with an extensive understanding of the sector, which opens up many chances at a significant pay scale for a certified ethical hacker.
About the Exam
| Number of Questions | 125 questions |
| Duration of Test | 4 hours |
| Format of Test | Multiple Choice |
| Test Delivery | ECC Exam, VUE |
| Test Code | 312-50 (ECC EXAM), 312-50 (VUE) |
| Passing Score | 60%-85% |
Eligibility
There are two alternatives to meeting the qualifying requirements for taking the CEH certification test. To begin, you can attend an official EC Council training at an accredited training facility, the iClass platform, or an approved academic institution. In this instance, you can take the EC Council certification test without applying.
The second option for CEH certification eligibility requires at least two years of expertise in the information security sector. If you have the necessary experience, you may submit your application with a $100 application fee (non-refundable).
How to prepare for the exam?
When preparing for the CEH exam, follow these steps:
- Go through the CEH exam blueprint. It highlights the topics you will be tested on and their weights. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, then ensure that you dedicate enough time to each area depending on your skills and shortcomings.
- EC Council offers multiple Certified Ethical Hacker training courses for self-study, in-person, and online modules. Many study guides and courses are available online for self-study and guided studies.
- There are several CEH forums and blogs that are filled with individuals who share your interests and ambitions, and many of whom aspire to be CEH certified as well. Among them, many have taken (or are about to take) the test and are willing to offer their ideas, techniques, and general advice and thoughts.
- Free CEH quizzes are also available online. They are best to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and further help you prepare for the exam.
The technique you choose to prepare for the CEH certification test is entirely up to you. However, whether you are joining a CEH training program or indulging in self-study, you must genuinely prepare for CEH, as it can significantly help your career.