The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, offered by the EC-Council, is one of the most recognized cybersecurity certifications globally. It equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to think and act like a hacker, helping organizations strengthen their security defenses.
The CEH certification covers penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, ethical hacking methodologies, and countermeasures to prevent cyberattacks.
1. Why Get CEH Certified?
✔ Industry-Recognized Certification – CEH is respected by government agencies and Fortune 500 companies.
✔ High Demand for Ethical Hackers – Cybercrime is rising, and organizations need professionals to secure their systems.
✔ Better Career Opportunities – CEH opens doors to roles such as Penetration Tester, SOC Analyst, Cybersecurity Engineer, and Security Consultant.
✔ Legal Hacking Skills – Learn ethical hacking techniques legally and responsibly.
✔ Prepares for Advanced Certifications – Serves as a foundation for OSCP, CISSP, and GPEN.
2. CEH Exam Overview
| Exam Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Certification Name | Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) |
| Offered By | EC-Council |
| Exam Code | 312-50 (CEH v12 – Latest Version) |
| Exam Format | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Number of Questions | 125 |
| Exam Duration | 4 Hours |
| Passing Score | 60-85% (Varies by question difficulty) |
| CEH Practical Exam | Hands-on, 6-hour practical assessment (CEH Master) |
| Validity | 3 Years |
3. CEH Course Outline
CEH covers 20 core modules, divided into five major phases of ethical hacking:
Phase 1: Reconnaissance (Footprinting and Information Gathering)
✔ Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Techniques
✔ Google Dorking & Search Engine Reconnaissance
✔ Whois Lookups, DNS Enumeration
✔ Social Engineering Attacks
Phase 2: Scanning & Enumeration
✔ Network Scanning with Nmap & Nessus
✔ Identifying live hosts, open ports, and services
✔ OS Fingerprinting & Banner Grabbing
✔ SNMP, SMB, and NetBIOS Enumeration
Phase 3: Gaining Access (Exploitation)
✔ Exploiting vulnerabilities using Metasploit
✔ Password Cracking (John the Ripper, Hashcat)
✔ Buffer Overflow & Privilege Escalation Attacks
✔ Web Exploitation (SQL Injection, XSS, LFI, RFI)
Phase 4: Maintaining Access
✔ Creating backdoors, trojans, and persistence mechanisms
✔ Rootkits, Keyloggers, and Remote Access Tools
✔ Evading Detection from SIEM and IDS/IPS
Phase 5: Covering Tracks & Reporting
✔ Log Manipulation & Anti-Forensics Techniques
✔ Clearing System and Event Logs
✔ Writing a Penetration Testing Report
4. CEH Tools and Techniques
| Category | Common Tools |
|---|---|
| Footprinting & Reconnaissance | Maltego, Shodan, Google Dorking |
| Network Scanning | Nmap, Angry IP Scanner |
| Vulnerability Scanning | Nessus, OpenVAS |
| Exploitation & Post-Exploitation | Metasploit, Empire, Cobalt Strike |
| Password Cracking | Hashcat, John the Ripper |
| Web Application Hacking | Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP |
| Wireless Hacking | Aircrack-ng, Wireshark |
| Social Engineering | SET (Social Engineering Toolkit), Evilginx |
5. CEH vs. Other Certifications
| Certification | Focus Area | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| CEH | Ethical hacking, penetration testing fundamentals | Beginners & security analysts |
| OSCP | Hands-on penetration testing | Advanced penetration testers |
| CISSP | Security management, policies, and risk management | Security managers & CISOs |
| CompTIA Security+ | General cybersecurity knowledge | Entry-level professionals |
| GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester) | In-depth penetration testing | Experienced penetration testers |
6. CEH Job Roles & Career Paths
After earning a CEH certification, you can apply for various cybersecurity roles, such as:
✔ Penetration Tester – Simulates cyberattacks to find weaknesses.
✔ SOC Analyst – Monitors security alerts and responds to incidents.
✔ Security Engineer – Designs and implements security solutions.
✔ Cybersecurity Consultant – Advises organizations on security best practices.
✔ Red Team Operator – Tests security defenses through adversary simulation.
Salary Expectations:
- CEH-certified professionals earn $80,000 – $150,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
7. How to Prepare for the CEH Exam?
✔ Step 1: Enroll in an Official CEH Training Course – Available online or in person.
✔ Step 2: Practice Hands-On in Cyber Ranges – Use TryHackMe, Hack The Box, and EC-Council iLabs.
✔ Step 3: Study the CEH Official Courseware – Books, video tutorials, and study guides.
✔ Step 4: Use CEH Practice Tests – Take mock exams to familiarize yourself with the question format.
✔ Step 5: Learn and Use Ethical Hacking Tools – Practice with Nmap, Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Wireshark.
✔ Step 6: Review Previous Exam Questions – Understand CEH question patterns.
8. CEH Practical Exam (CEH Master)
In addition to the MCQ-based CEH exam, candidates can take the CEH Practical Exam to become a CEH Master.
✔ Format: 6-hour hands-on hacking assessment.
✔ Skills Tested: Penetration testing, vulnerability exploitation, network attacks.
✔ Objective: Prove practical hacking skills beyond theoretical knowledge.
9. Challenges & Criticism of CEH
Focuses More on Theory – Lacks deep hands-on exploitation techniques like OSCP.
Exam Questions Are Memorization-Based – Some questions focus on tool commands rather than practical application.
Expensive Certification – Training and exam fees can be costly compared to alternatives.
How to Overcome? – Complement CEH with real-world hands-on labs, Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges, and practical penetration testing experience.
10. Future of CEH
🔹 CEH v12 Enhancements – More hands-on labs and interactive training.
🔹 Integration with AI and ML – Ethical hackers will leverage AI-driven attack simulation tools.
🔹 Growing Demand for Ethical Hackers – With cyber threats increasing, CEH-certified professionals will remain in high demand.