CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker

"To beat a hacker, you need to think like one!" EC-Council

Certified Ethical Hackers use the knowledge and tools of malicious attackers to uncover vulnerabilities in an organization's computer systems. Upon assessing the target system's security posture, a CEH performs the indicated preventive, corrective and protective measures to safeguard the system before an actual breach can occur. CEH certification is vendor-neutral, so certified ethical hackers can protect a wide range of systems, regardless of make.

The CEH certificate is EC-Council's most popular and sought-after credential. Typical job titles for CEH-certified professionals include penetration tester, network security specialist, ethical hacker, security consultant, site administrator and auditor. Beyond the significant corporate job opportunities, becoming CEH certified opens the door to lucrative security positions in the government IT sector, as the CEH is endorsed and used by the National Security Agency (NSA), the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) and the Department of Defense (DoD) as a benchmark to clear personnel and contractors with privileged access to sensitive information.

Universities, colleges and private computer schools offer courses and degrees featuring CEH certification prep and training programs that align with EC-Council's Certified Ethical Hacker curriculum. Compare some of the top-rated CEH training programs in the U.S. and online below.

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Skills Measured by the Certified Ethical Hacker Exam

Here are some of the key skills and knowledge areas covered in the CEH exam. Certified Ethical Hackers...

• possess a strong background knowledge of networking, telecommunications, web and computer systems.
• understand the current security protocols for popular operating environments, e.g., Linux, Windows & Mac OS.
• "hack" into an organization's network/systems - with its permission - to assess weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
• undertake preventive, corrective and protective countermeasures to safeguard systems against malicious attack.
• have the ability to identify and crack multiple types of passwords, and effectively counter password attacks.
• comprehend the terminology, stages, classes, phases and methodologies of ethical hacking.
• can cover their tracks and erase digital evidence of networks and system intrusions.
• understand cryptography & encryption techniques, and private/public key infrastructure.
• adhere to a code of ethics governing professional conduct & the appropriateness of hacking.
• understand common cyber attacks, e.g., social engineering, phishing, identity theft, URL obfuscation, trojans, dumpster diving, insider attacks, etc., and can undertake the appropriate evasion techniques and countermeasures.

Download the CEH Certification Exam Blueprint for a complete list of Certified Ethical Hacker exam objectives.

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Certified Ethical Hacker Exam

• CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker | Exam code 312-50

Certified Ethical Hacker Exam Objectives (312-50)

CEH Exam Type: Computer based, Multiple choice format
CEH Time Limit: 4 hours (240 minutes)
CEH Exam Length: 125 questions
CEH Exam Cost: $500 USD
Passing Score: 70%

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Certified Ethical Hacker Eligibility Requirements

There are two ways to satisfy the CEH certification exam eligibility requirements:

1. Attend Official CEH Training: This can be in any format, e.g., instructor-led training, computer-based training (CBT) or live online training, as long as the program is approved by EC-Council.


2. Attempt without Official Training: In order to be considered for the EC-Council certification exam without attending official training, you must:
   • Have two or more years of documented information security experience
   • Remit a non-refundable eligibility application fee of $100.00
   • Submit completed CEH Exam Eligibility Form including verification from employer
   • Upon approval EC-Council will email you a voucher number to register for the CEH exam

   If you go decide to go the unofficial route, you can choose from a wide range of network security courses and degrees that align with CEH and other marketable InfoSec certifications.

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Certified Ethical Hacker Training & Education

Browse the top-reviewed training programs, accredited degrees, certification boot camps and self-paced online courses matching the Certified Ethical Hacker certification and related career tracks.

School	CEH Training Program	Course Highlights & Certifications
Request More Info	AAS - IT: Network Administration Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Associate Accredited School: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Includes Certification Preparation for: CompTIA A+, Network+ & Security+ Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Gain the Skills and Credentials for Entry-Level Jobs in Network Management & Security Cisco Network Design and Administration Microsoft Windows Server/Desktop Support Systems Security and Penetration Testing Intro to Web Development & Programming
Request More Info	Bachelor's - Cyber and Network Security Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Bachelor Accredited School: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Includes Certification Preparation for: EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) CompTIA A+, Network+, Cloud+ & Security+ Cisco CCNA and CCNA Security Multiple Microsoft Windows Client/Server Certs Design, Secure & Support Enterprise Networks Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing Firewall Management & Intrusion Detection IT Risk Management and Disaster Recovery
Request More Info	MS - Network Defense Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Master Accredited School: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Includes Certification Preparation for: EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) & Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA) (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Assess, Develop and Implement Cyber Security Solutions & Infrastructure Advanced Training in Ethical Hacking, Penetration Testing & System Hardening National Security Agency (NSA) & Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Approved
Request More Info	MS - IT: Security Management Method: Online Degree Degree Level: Master Accredited School: Yes Financial Aid Available: Yes	Learn how to Plan, Design, Implement and Manage Enterprise Security Solutions Windows, Linux & Unix Systems Security Contingency Plans and Disaster Recovery Create IT Security Policy & Procedure Enterprise Risk Management and Analysis Internet Systems and Applications Security Cyber Crime Scene Forensics & Investigation

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Select a Subject: Computer Forensics DNS Domain Name System Hacking and Ethical Hacking Information Assurance Information Systems Security Intrusion Detection SCNP Security Certified Network Professional SMS Systems Management Server SSCP Systems Security Certified Practitioner CDE Cardholder Data Environment Cisco Security CISSP Certified Professional Information Systems Analyst Information Technology Computers and Technology Basic Computer Skills and IT Fundamentals Computer Applications Mobile Development Computer Science Degrees Computer Programming Software Engineering Software Development .NET Programming AJAX Programming ASP Active Server Page C and C++ and C Sharp Cascading Style Sheets CSS Certified Internet Webmaster CIW ColdFusion Training Computer Game Programming HTML Training Java Programming JavaScript Programming PHP Training Microsoft Visual Studio VB Visual Basic Web Design Training Web Development WebSphere Training XML eXtensible Markup Language Networking Network Administration Network Management Network Applications Network Design and Development Network Technology Wireless Networks Proxy Server Internet Systems Communications Technology Telecommunications Technology Information Systems Database Administration Database Design and Development Database Technology IBM DB2 Databases Microsoft SQL Server Oracle SQL SQL Technical Support and Repair Hardware Support and Repair Technical Support Administration - Management MCDST Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician Computer Systems Analyst IT Administration and Management Information Systems Management Technical Support Administration and Management Technical Writing Call Center Management Information Technology Project Management Project Management Microsoft Project CompTIA Project+ Systems Analyst Android App Development Apple iOS App Development Objective-C and C++ Programming Java Programming Health Information Technology Healthcare Informatics Medical Insurance - Billing and Coding Medical Records - Health IT Administration Medical Transcription Bioinformatics Check Point Certification CCSA Checkpoint Certified Security Administrator CCSE Checkpoint Certified security expert CCDA Cisco Certified Design Associate CCDP Cisco Certified Design Professional CCIE Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNP Cisco Certified Network Professional CCSP Cisco Certified Security Professional CCVP Cisco Certified Voice Professional Cisco ICND I - Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Cisco ICND II - Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Cisco Security CompTIA A+ CompTIA CDIA+ Certified Document Imaging Architect CompTIA CTT+ Certified Technical Trainer CompTIA Project+ CompTIA Linux+ CompTIA Network+ CompTIA Security+ CompTIA Server+ CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Citrix Certification CCA Citrix Certified Administrator CCEA Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator Oracle Certification Oracle Associate OCP - Oracle Certified Professional Oracle DBA Database Administrator Oracle Developer Oracle Master Sun Certification SCJP Sun Certified Java Programmer SCSA Sun Certified System Administrator Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk Maya CRM Customer Relationship Management Crystal Reports Intuit QuickBooks Lotus Applications SAP Systems Applications and Products Microsoft BizTalk Microsoft Dynamics Microsoft Excel Microsoft FrontPage Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Visual Studio Adobe Applications Adobe Acrobat Adobe Director Adobe Dreamweaver Adobe Fireworks Adobe Flash Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Corel Draw Quark Publishing Microsoft FrontPage Microsoft PowerPoint Graphic Design Computer Animation Computer Graphics Game Art and Design Multimedia Design Visual Effects Engineering and Architecture CAD CADD Computer Aided Drafting Design AutoCAD Training Architecture General Engineering Engineering Technology Industrial Technology Quality Control Technology Robotics Training Six Sigma Programs Surveying Courses Aerospace Engineering Architectural Engineering Automotive Engineering Biomedical Engineering Biotechnology Engineering Civil Engineering Construction Engineering Electrical Engineering Electronics Engineering Environmental Engineering Industrial Engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Systems Engineering Alternative Power Generation Technology Construction Management Electrician Training Accounting Programs Business Administration Communications and Media Criminal Justice, Legal and Safety Culinary Arts Education and Teaching Entrepreneurship Finance Training Health, Healthcare and Nursing High School and GED Programs Liberal Arts Programs Marketing and Advertising Math and Science Project Management Psychology Degrees Vocational and Trade

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Certified Ethical Hacker Salary

Salaries for Certified Ethical Hackers and other EC-Council certified professionals:

• ENSA: Network Security Administrator: $85,000
• CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker: $89,000
• ECSA: Certified Security Analyst: $90,000
• LPT: Licensed Penetration Tester: $92,000
• CHFI: Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator: $96,000

Salary by EC-Council Certification (USA)
Source: Payscale.com

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Certified Ethical Hacker Jobs

CEH certified professionals may qualify for a range of lucrative security positions including:

• IT Security Specialist: Browse and apply to IT security specialist jobs
• Network Security Specialist: Browse and apply to network security jobs
• Security Administrator: Browse and apply to IT security administration jobs
• IT Security Consultant: Browse & apply to IT security consultant jobs
• Ethical Hacker: Browse and apply to ethical hacking job openings
• Penetration Tester: Browse and apply to penetration testing jobs
• Site Administrator: Browse and apply to site administration jobs
• IT Auditor: Browse and apply to information systems auditor jobs
• Computer Forensics Analyst: Browse and apply to forensics jobs
• Homeland Security Specialist: Compare IT jobs in homeland security
• Businesses & Hiring Managers: Post job opportunities at a discount

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Related Certifications

• CompTIA - Security+
• CompTIA - Network+
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• (ISC)2 - Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• ISACA - Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• EC-Council - Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate - Security (CCNA - Security)
• Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA)
• Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE)
• GIAC - Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)

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Related Career Paths

• IT Security Specialist
• Network Administrator
• Technology Manager
• IT Project Manager
• Health Information Technician

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