Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) | A Complete Guide to Starting Your Ethical Hacking Career

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, offered by EC-Council, is one of the most recognized credentials in the field of ethical hacking and cybersecurity. It validates your ability to identify vulnerabilities, conduct penetration testing, and protect systems from cyber threats. This blog provides a step-by-step guide to becoming a CEH-certified ethical hacker, covering prerequisites, training options, exam details, study materials, costs, career opportunities, and salary expectations. Whether you're a beginner or an IT professional looking to advance in cybersecurity, this guide will help you understand how to prepare for the CEH exam and start a rewarding career in ethical hacking.

Security Feb 15, 2025 79 Add to Reading List

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) | A Complete Guide to Starting Your Ethical Hacking Career

Introduction
What is CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)?
Why Should You Get CEH Certified?
Prerequisites for CEH Certification
Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a CEH
Career Opportunities After CEH
Conclusion
FAQs

Introduction

With the rising demand for cybersecurity professionals, ethical hacking has become one of the most sought-after skills. The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, offered by EC-Council, is a globally recognized credential that validates an individual's ability to identify and fix security vulnerabilities. Whether you're a beginner or an IT professional looking to advance your career, earning a CEH certification can open doors to various cybersecurity roles.

This blog will guide you through the step-by-step process of becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker, including prerequisites, exam details, study materials, and career benefits.

What is CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)?

The CEH certification is a professional credential that teaches individuals how to think and act like hackers while maintaining ethical standards. It focuses on penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, risk management, and security auditing.

The CEH course covers topics like:

Footprinting and reconnaissance
Scanning networks
System hacking
Malware threats
Social engineering
Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks
Web application security
Cryptography

Once you pass the CEH exam, you are recognized as a certified professional in ethical hacking.

Why Should You Get CEH Certified?

The CEH certification is valuable for individuals pursuing cybersecurity careers because:

Global Recognition – CEH is recognized by government agencies, corporations, and cybersecurity organizations worldwide.
In-Demand Skillset – Ethical hacking is a core skill for penetration testers, SOC analysts, and cybersecurity consultants.
Higher Salary Potential – CEH-certified professionals earn an average salary of ₹8–15 LPA in India and $90,000–$130,000 per year in the US.
Career Growth – The certification opens up roles like Ethical Hacker, Penetration Tester, Cybersecurity Analyst, Security Engineer, and SOC Analyst.
Hands-On Learning – The CEH course includes real-world simulations and hacking labs to build practical skills.

Prerequisites for CEH Certification

You don’t need a specific degree to apply for the CEH exam, but you must meet certain criteria:

Educational Background: While a BTech, BSc, or diploma in IT or cybersecurity is preferred, it is not mandatory.
Work Experience: If you don’t take an EC-Council-accredited training, you need two years of work experience in IT security.
Training Requirement: You can either take official CEH training from EC-Council or self-study and apply for the exam directly.
Basic Knowledge: Understanding network security, operating systems (Linux & Windows), and fundamental hacking concepts is helpful.

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a CEH

Step 1: Learn the Basics of Cybersecurity

Before starting with CEH, gain fundamental knowledge in:

Networking: TCP/IP, DNS, VPN, and Firewall concepts
Operating Systems: Linux and Windows security
Programming: Python, Bash scripting (optional but useful)

Step 2: Choose the Right CEH Training

There are two ways to prepare for the CEH exam:

Self-Study: Use books, online resources, and practice labs.
Official Training: EC-Council and authorized partners offer 40-hour training programs (online or classroom-based).

Step 3: Study the CEH Course Modules

The CEH course consists of 20 modules covering key topics like:

Module	Topic
1	Introduction to Ethical Hacking
2	Footprinting and Reconnaissance
3	Scanning Networks
4	Enumeration
5	Vulnerability Analysis
6	System Hacking
7	Malware Threats
8	Sniffing
9	Social Engineering
10	Denial-of-Service (DoS)
11	Session Hijacking
12	Web Application Security
13	SQL Injection
14	Wireless Security
15	Mobile Security
16	IoT & OT Hacking
17	Cloud Security
18	Cryptography
19	Threat Intelligence
20	Hacking Methodologies

Step 4: Practice in Virtual Labs

CEH provides a hands-on lab environment where you can practice real-world hacking scenarios. Platforms like TryHackMe, Hack The Box, and Cybrary are also useful for practice.

Step 5: Register and Take the CEH Exam

Exam Code: 312-50
Format: Multiple-choice (125 questions)
Duration: 4 hours
Passing Score: 60-85% (varies per exam version)
Cost: ₹80,000 – ₹1,20,000 ($1,000 – $1,500)

Step 6: Get CEH Certified and Apply for Jobs

Once you pass the exam, you will receive the CEH certification, which you can add to your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Career Opportunities After CEH

After earning your CEH certification, you can apply for roles like:

Ethical Hacker
Penetration Tester
Cybersecurity Analyst
Security Engineer
SOC Analyst
Incident Responder

Salaries for CEH-certified professionals vary by region and experience:

Country	Salary Range (Per Year)
India	₹8,00,000 – ₹15,00,000
USA	$90,000 – $130,000
UK	£40,000 – £70,000

Conclusion

Becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a great step toward a cybersecurity career. With the right training, hands-on experience, and certification, you can secure high-paying jobs in ethical hacking and penetration testing. Start with basic cybersecurity concepts, enroll in CEH training, practice in labs, and take the CEH exam to become a certified professional.

By following this roadmap, you can become a CEH-certified professional and enter the ethical hacking industry with confidence.

FAQs

What is CEH Certification?

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) is a globally recognized cybersecurity certification offered by EC-Council that validates an individual's skills in penetration testing, ethical hacking, and cybersecurity defense.

Who should pursue CEH certification?

CEH is ideal for IT professionals, security analysts, penetration testers, system administrators, and anyone interested in ethical hacking and cybersecurity.

What are the prerequisites for CEH?

You need either two years of IT security experience or completion of an official EC-Council CEH training to be eligible for the exam.

Do I need a degree to take the CEH exam?

No, a degree is not required. However, basic knowledge of networking, operating systems, and cybersecurity is recommended.

How much does the CEH exam cost?

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

What is the exam format for CEH?

The CEH exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions with a 4-hour time limit.

What is the passing score for the CEH exam?

The passing score varies between 60-85%, depending on the exam version.

Can I take the CEH exam online?

Yes, EC-Council allows candidates to take the CEH exam remotely via ProctorU or at an authorized testing center.

What topics are covered in the CEH course?

The course covers footprinting, reconnaissance, system hacking, malware threats, social engineering, cryptography, penetration testing, cloud security, and IoT security.

What study materials should I use for CEH preparation?

Recommended resources include EC-Council’s official CEH training material, books, online courses (Udemy, Cybrary), and hands-on practice labs (TryHackMe, Hack The Box).

How long does it take to prepare for the CEH exam?

On average, it takes 2-3 months of dedicated study to prepare for the CEH exam.

Is CEH a beginner-friendly certification?

Yes, CEH is designed for beginners with basic IT knowledge, but prior experience in networking and security is beneficial.

What is CEH Practical?

CEH Practical is an advanced hands-on version of the CEH certification where candidates perform real-world hacking tasks in a live environment.

What are the job roles after CEH certification?

CEH-certified professionals can work as Ethical Hackers, Penetration Testers, Security Analysts, SOC Analysts, and Cybersecurity Consultants.

What salary can I expect after CEH certification?

In India, CEH-certified professionals earn between ₹8–15 LPA, while in the USA, salaries range from $90,000 – $130,000 per year.

What is the difference between CEH and OSCP?

CEH focuses on theoretical and practical ethical hacking knowledge, while OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) is a more advanced, hands-on penetration testing certification.

Can I take CEH without work experience?

Yes, if you enroll in official CEH training, you don’t need prior work experience to take the exam.

What is the CEH renewal process?

CEH certification is valid for three years and requires 120 Continuing Education (ECE) credits for renewal.

Is CEH better than CISSP?

CEH is focused on ethical hacking, while CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) is an advanced managerial-level cybersecurity certification.

What are the best ethical hacking labs for CEH practice?

TryHackMe, Hack The Box, Cybrary, and EC-Council’s iLabs are excellent for hands-on ethical hacking practice.

How is CEH different from CHFI?

CEH is about ethical hacking and penetration testing, while CHFI (Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator) focuses on cyber forensics and digital investigations.