We get a lot of inquiries about our Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) training. If you are considering the CEH certification, this post is for you. Many people sign up for the CEH course with unrealistic expectations. My aim is to help you make an informed decision about CEH training and the certification.
What is the CEH Certification?
EC-Council came up with the CEH certification to help you gain offensive cybersecurity, aka “hacking”, skills. Even if you are “blue team” / defense, knowing the tactics attackers use is valuable; offense informs defense. There are two paths you can take with the CEH certification:
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Multiple-Choice Exam Only = “CEH Certified”
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Multiple-Choice Exam + 6-hour Practical Exam = “CEH Master Certified”
CEH Exam Types. You need to take both of these to become a CEH Master.
CEH Exam Types. You need to take both of these to become a CEH Master.
In my opinion, the CEH Master is much better because it proves you can actually do stuff instead of just talk about it. I prefer “doers” to “talkers”.
What is the CEH Certification Good For?
The CEH Certification won’t make you an expert hacker, but it will introduce you to the world of hacking and a lot of hacker tools. It’s a good first step towards becoming a penetration tester, although penetration testing isn’t for everyone.
Note: A lot of people watch shows like Mr. Robot and think penetration testing and hacking is cool. It’s not nearly as cool as in the hacker movies. Penetration testing requires constant learning, constant thinking, persistence, long-hours, and lots of frustration. It is rewarding as well, don’t get me wrong, but I just want to make it clear that a career in penetration testing requires a huge commitment.
DoD 8570 CEH Requirements
The CEH is also good if you have DoD 8570 requirements, such as:
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CSSP Analyst
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CSSP Infrastructure Support
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CSSP Incident Response
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CSSP Auditor
CSSP = Cyber Security Services Provider
Common QuestionS
Are there any prerequisites for the CEH?
No, there are no enforced prerequisites. I recommend you have the Security+ certification first, and actually know the material on the Security+ (and, Network+, and A+).
How should I prepare before the CEH course?
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Don’t just “show up” unprepared, expecting to learn everything in a week. You will end up stressed out and your experience will be sub-optimal.
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You should have a basic understanding of operating systems (Linux and Windows). I recommend setting up a lab using VirtualBox, Windows 2016/2019 Server, and Kali Linux. Download Links:
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You should be familiar with web technologies. Understand things like a LAMP stack.
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You should understand some about programming. General concepts, like the difference between a scripting language and compiled code.
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You should be prepared for a fast-paced course with a lot of material. Don’t expect a vacation. Expect to study each night.
What should I look for in a training center before investing in CEH training?
I suggest you consider who your instructor will be. You want a CEH trainer that actually does penetration testing and works in cybersecurity. I took the CEH many years ago at a training center. The “CEH” trainer didn’t know anything other than what was in the book – this added zero value. After the 2nd night of an 8 night class, I never went back. I don’t want you to have a similar experience and waste your time and money. It’s been my goal to prevent this scenario in Alpine Security’s CEH course. Our CEH trainers work as penetration testers and actually do hacking (white hat) on a regular basis.
What Next?
If you’re up for the challenge of the Certified Ethical Hacker certification, register for our CEH Boot Camp or contact us at 844-925-7463 / [email protected] or fill out the form below if you have questions
