Certified Ethical Hacker Certification Guide
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification Guide
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), offered by the EC-Council, is one of the most recognized cybersecurity certifications worldwide. It validates your ability to identify vulnerabilities, think like a hacker, and use ethical hacking tools and techniques to secure networks and systems.
Why CEH Is Important
- Recognized globally as a foundational penetration testing and ethical hacking certification.
- Required or recommended by many government agencies and defense contractors.
- Certified professionals earn an average of $105K–$120K in the U.S.
- Meets DoD 8570/8140 requirements for cybersecurity positions.
Requirements and Eligibility
- To sit for the exam, you must meet one of the following:
- Attend official EC-Council training (online, classroom, or partner course).
- Have at least 2 years of work experience in IT security and submit an application.
- No degree requirement, but IT background is strongly recommended.
Exam Details
- Exam Fee: $1,199 (may vary by training provider)
- Format: 125 multiple-choice questions
- Time: 4 hours
- Passing Score: Between 60%–85% (varies due to adaptive scoring model)
- Domains Covered (CEH v12 outline):
- Information Security & Ethical Hacking Overview
- Footprinting & Reconnaissance
- Scanning Networks
- Enumeration
- Vulnerability Analysis
- System Hacking
- Malware Threats
- Sniffing
- Social Engineering
- Denial of Service
- Session Hijacking
- Evading IDS, Firewalls, and Honeypots
- Hacking Web Applications
- Hacking Wireless Networks
- Hacking Mobile Platforms
- IoT and OT Hacking
- Cloud Computing Security
- Cryptography
Salary and Career Outlook
- Average salary: $105K–$120K in the U.S.
- Common roles: Penetration Tester, Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, Ethical Hacker, Red Team Operator.
- High demand: CEH is often listed as a baseline requirement for entry-level offensive security roles.
Step-by-Step Roadmap to CEH
- Choose Your Path – Attend official training or qualify via work experience.
- Register for the Exam – Purchase through EC-Council or an authorized partner.
- Study the Domains – Focus on hacking methodologies and tools.
- Use Hands-On Labs – Practice with Kali Linux, Metasploit, Nmap, Burp Suite, Wireshark.
- Take Practice Exams – Identify weak areas and strengthen test-taking skills.
- Sit for the Exam – 125 questions, 4 hours, online or in-person.
- Get Certified – Highlight CEH on LinkedIn, résumé, and job boards.
Exam Pass Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
Tips for Success
- Spend significant time in hands-on labs — tools matter as much as theory.
- Memorize key commands for Nmap, Metasploit, and Linux basics.
- Understand not only how to hack but also how to defend.
Common Mistakes
- Treating CEH as purely multiple-choice memorization — practical knowledge is key.
- Ignoring newer domains (IoT, cloud, mobile hacking).
- Overlooking social engineering — a growing exam focus.
Best Study Resources
- CEH v12 Official Courseware & Labs (from EC-Council)
- CEH Certified Ethical Hacker All-In-One Exam Guide (Matt Walker)
- Practice exams (Boson, Skillset)
- Hands-on practice: TryHackMe, Hack The Box, OWASP Juice Shop
Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
- Valid for 3 years.
- Must earn 120 Continuing Education Credits (ECEs) in 3 years.
- Annual EC-Council membership fee: $80.
- Credits can be earned via training, webinars, publishing, or cybersecurity conferences.
CEH vs Other Certifications
| Certification | Focus | Difficulty | Cost | Avg Salary | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEH | Ethical hacking, penetration testing basics | Medium | $1,199 | $105K | Entry-level pen testers, SOC staff |
| OSCP | Advanced hands-on penetration testing | Very High | $1,499 | $120K+ | Offensive security specialists |
| CISSP | Broad, managerial + technical cybersecurity | High | $749 | $140K | Senior leaders, architects |
| Security+ | General entry-level security | Easy-Medium | $404 | $85K | IT pros starting in cybersecurity |
👉 CEH is best as a first hacking certification; OSCP is for advanced offensive security, while CISSP is management-focused, and Security+ is more general entry-level.
Practice Questions (Mini Quiz)
- Which tool is commonly used for network scanning and reconnaissance?
- A) Burp Suite
- B) Nmap ✅
- C) Wireshark
- D) Nessus
- Which attack involves overwhelming a target system with traffic?
- A) SQL Injection
- B) DDoS ✅
- C) Cross-Site Scripting
- D) Session Hijacking
- Which CEH domain covers phishing attacks and human manipulation?
- A) Sniffing
- B) Social Engineering ✅
- C) Session Hijacking
- D) Cryptography
Certified Ethical Hacker Certification
The CEH certification is a strong entry point into penetration testing and ethical hacking. It validates the ability to think like a hacker, use professional tools, and identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors do.
If your goal is to enter offensive security, CEH is a great way to get started. With hands-on labs, structured study, and practical exam preparation, CEH can open doors to exciting roles in penetration testing, SOC operations, and red teaming.
