Best Ethical Hacking Certifications to Start With | A Beginner’s Guide to Kickstart Your Cybersecurity Career

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Why Get Certified in Ethical Hacking
• Best Ethical Hacking Certifications for Beginners
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Introduction

Ethical hacking is a rapidly growing field in cybersecurity, and earning a certification can boost your credibility and job prospects. Whether you are a beginner or an IT professional looking to transition into ethical hacking, choosing the right certification is crucial.

In this blog, we will cover the best ethical hacking certifications for beginners, their exam details, costs, career benefits, and how to prepare for them.

Why Get Certified in Ethical Hacking?

1. Industry Recognition

Certifications validate your skills and knowledge, making you a strong candidate for ethical hacking roles.

2. Career Advancement

A certification can help you land jobs as an Ethical Hacker, Security Analyst, or Penetration Tester.

3. Hands-on Skills

Most ethical hacking certifications include practical labs, helping you gain real-world experience.

4. Higher Salary

Certified ethical hackers earn higher salaries than non-certified professionals.

5. Compliance & Standards

Many organizations require cybersecurity professionals to hold industry-recognized certifications to meet compliance standards.

Best Ethical Hacking Certifications for Beginners

1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification by EC-Council is one of the most popular beginner-friendly ethical hacking certifications.

Key Features

• Covers penetration testing, malware threats, and hacking methodologies
• Multiple-choice exam (125 questions in 4 hours)
• Recognized by government and private organizations

Who Should Take CEH?

• IT professionals looking to specialize in ethical hacking
• Beginners with basic networking and security knowledge

How to Prepare?

• Enroll in CEH training courses (WebAsha, EC-Council, Simplilearn, Udemy)
• Practice on TryHackMe and Hack The Box
• Study official EC-Council materials

2. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level cybersecurity certification that covers basic security concepts, risk management, and cryptography.

Key Features

• 90 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes
• Widely recognized for entry-level cybersecurity jobs
• Covers network security, threats, and vulnerabilities

Who Should Take Security+?

• Beginners who want to learn cybersecurity fundamentals
• Those looking for a strong foundation before CEH

How to Prepare?

• Study CompTIA Security+ books and courses
• Use platforms like Cybrary and Professor Messer's videos
• Take Security+ practice exams

3. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

The OSCP is one of the most respected hands-on penetration testing certifications.

Key Features

• 100% practical exam (24 hours to hack a simulated network)
• Teaches real-world hacking techniques
• Requires strong Linux and scripting knowledge

Who Should Take OSCP?

• Security professionals looking for advanced penetration testing skills
• Those who have experience with CEH or other entry-level certifications

How to Prepare?

• Complete the Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PWK) course
• Practice on Hack The Box and TryHackMe
• Learn Python and Bash scripting

4. eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester (eJPT)

The eJPT is a beginner-friendly penetration testing certification that focuses on hands-on skills.

Key Features

• Practical exam (hacking into a simulated environment)
• Covers network scanning, exploitation, and report writing
• More affordable than CEH and OSCP

Who Should Take eJPT?

• Beginners in ethical hacking
• IT professionals looking for practical penetration testing experience

How to Prepare?

• Study INE’s eJPT course
• Practice on VulnHub, TryHackMe, and Hack The Box

5. GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)

The GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) certification focuses on advanced penetration testing techniques.

Key Features

• 115 multiple-choice questions (3 hours)
• Covers network penetration testing and password attacks
• Recognized by government agencies and top cybersecurity firms

Who Should Take GPEN?

• Security professionals looking to enhance penetration testing skills
• Those who have some ethical hacking experience

How to Prepare?

• Study the SANS SEC560 course
• Use SANS practice exams

Conclusion

Choosing the right ethical hacking certification depends on your career goals, experience level, and budget.

• Beginners should start with CEH, eJPT, or CompTIA Security+
• Those aiming for advanced penetration testing can go for OSCP or GPEN

Certifications help validate your ethical hacking skills, boost your job prospects, and open doors to cybersecurity careers. Start your journey today!

 FAQs 

What are ethical hacking certifications?

Ethical hacking certifications validate a professional's ability to identify vulnerabilities in systems and protect against cyber threats.

Which ethical hacking certification is best for beginners?

CEH, CompTIA Security+, and eJPT are ideal for beginners entering ethical hacking.

Is CEH certification worth it?

Yes, CEH is widely recognized and provides a strong foundation in ethical hacking concepts.

What is the cost of CEH certification?

CEH costs between ₹80,000 – ₹1,20,000 ($1,000 – $1,500), depending on the country and training provider.

What is the hardest ethical hacking certification?

OSCP is considered one of the toughest due to its hands-on practical exam.

Can I get a job with only CEH certification?

Yes, CEH can help you secure roles like Security Analyst or Penetration Tester, but additional experience is beneficial.

Which certification is best for penetration testing?

OSCP and GPEN are excellent for penetration testing professionals.

What is the easiest ethical hacking certification?

eJPT is beginner-friendly and focuses on practical ethical hacking concepts.

Do I need coding skills for ethical hacking certifications?

Some certifications, like OSCP, require coding knowledge, while CEH and Security+ focus more on concepts.

What is the difference between CEH and OSCP?

CEH is theory-based with MCQs, while OSCP is hands-on and requires hacking into a live environment.

Which ethical hacking certification is government-recognized?

CEH is recognized by many government agencies worldwide.

Can I take ethical hacking certifications online?

Yes, most certifications, including CEH, Security+, and eJPT, offer online training and exams.

How long does it take to prepare for CEH?

Typically, 3 to 6 months, depending on your prior knowledge and study pace.

Which certification is best for a cybersecurity beginner?

CompTIA Security+ is an excellent starting point for general cybersecurity knowledge.

Does CEH require prior experience?

No, but having basic networking and security knowledge is recommended.

How do I become a certified ethical hacker?

Enroll in CEH or a similar course, study, practice hacking skills, and pass the exam.

Are ethical hacking certifications expensive?

Yes, certifications like OSCP and GPEN can be expensive, but more affordable options like eJPT are available.

Which ethical hacking certification has the highest salary potential?

OSCP and GPEN-certified professionals often earn higher salaries due to their advanced skill sets.

Do ethical hacking certifications require renewal?

Yes, most certifications, including CEH, require renewal every 2-3 years.

Is CEH enough for ethical hacking jobs?

CEH is a great start, but gaining hands-on experience through labs and bug bounty programs will improve job prospects.

Can I get a job in ethical hacking without a certification?

Yes, but certifications make it easier to stand out to employers and validate your skills.

Which is better: CEH or Security+?

CEH is specialized in hacking techniques, while Security+ is broader, covering general cybersecurity.

Which ethical hacking certification has the most practical learning?

OSCP and eJPT focus heavily on practical hacking techniques and simulations.

What is the passing score for CEH?

The passing score for CEH varies between 60% and 85%, depending on the exam difficulty.

Which is better for hacking: Python or C?

Python is better for scripting and automation, while C is useful for understanding vulnerabilities in software.

Can I take the CEH exam without official training?

Yes, but you need at least two years of cybersecurity experience or an approval from EC-Council.

What job roles require ethical hacking certifications?

Jobs include Ethical Hacker, Penetration Tester, Security Analyst, and Cybersecurity Consultant.

Are there free ethical hacking certifications?

Some platforms offer free courses, but most recognized certifications require payment.

Can a non-IT person get an ethical hacking certification?

Yes, but learning networking, operating systems, and cybersecurity basics is recommended before attempting certification.

Where can I take ethical hacking certification exams?

Most certifications can be taken online or at authorized testing centers like Pearson VUE.