Certified ethical hacker (ceh)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

EC-Council
$1,200 (approx ₹1 lakh)
Intermediate to Advanced

Recommended Courses: Courses like Information Security, Networks, Cryptography

Skills Covered: Penetration Testing, Security Assessment, Vulnerability Analysis

Exam Format: 125 MCQs, 4 hours, remote proctoring available

Validity: 3 years

Official Website: https://www.eccouncil.org/programs/certified-ethical-hacker-ceh/

Overview

The CEH certification trains students in identifying vulnerabilities in systems and understanding hacker methodologies. It's one of the most recognized cybersecurity credentials globally.

Overview

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) by EC-Council is one of the most widely recognized cybersecurity credentials in the world. It equips you with the skills and mindset of a professional hacker — but for ethical purposes — teaching you how to legally identify and patch security vulnerabilities in systems and networks.

Students who have completed the following courses with strong grades (A or A–) are best suited to pursue CEH:

  • Information Security (InfoSec)
  • Computer Networks (CN)
  • Cryptography
  • System Security and Privacy

These courses build the theoretical and practical foundation necessary for CEH topics like system scanning, enumeration, and exploitation.

Skills You’ll Gain

  • Footprinting and reconnaissance
  • System hacking and privilege escalation
  • Malware threats and analysis
  • Web application security
  • Wireless network security
  • Cloud and IoT security
  • Incident handling and reporting

Exam Details

  • Format: 125 Multiple-Choice Questions
  • Duration: 4 Hours
  • Mode: Online (remote proctoring available) or at authorized testing centers
  • Passing Score: Varies between 60%–85% depending on the question bank

Fees and Validity

  • Exam Fee: Approx. $1,200 USD (₹1,00,000 INR)
  • Certification Validity: 3 years (renewable through EC-Council’s Continuing Education credits)

Official Resources

Career Outlook

Holding a CEH certification opens up roles such as:

  • Penetration Tester
  • Security Analyst
  • Incident Responder
  • Vulnerability Researcher
  • Cybersecurity Consultant

Professionals with CEH are often employed by security firms, consulting organizations, and government agencies to test and fortify digital systems.

Why It Matters

CEH is not just about hacking — it’s about understanding systems at a deep level to build stronger defenses.
For CS students, it bridges theory from courses like InfoSec and Cryptography with real-world application, making it a perfect step toward a career in ethical hacking or information security.