Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Certification validating penetration testing and ethical hacking skills. Covers reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, and post-exploitation techniques.
Provider
EC-Council
Level
Professional
Duration
2–4 months
Cost
$1,199
Passing Score
70%
Validity
3 years
Salary Impact
+$12,000–$22,000 avg
Prerequisites
Security fundamentals
Networking knowledge
Some hacking experience recommended
Exam Format
125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours, $1,199 USD
Exam Topics & Weights
Reconnaissance and scanning
16%
Enumeration and vulnerability analysis
14%
System hacking
16%
Trojans, backdoors, and viruses
10%
Sniffing and spoofing
10%
Web application hacking
14%
Wireless hacking
12%
Cloud computing and cryptography
8%
8-Week Study Plan
Weeks 1-2
Focus: Reconnaissance and scanning tools
Nmap
Wireshark
Passive reconnaissance
Weeks 3-4
Focus: Enumeration and vulnerability assessment
Service enumeration
Nessus scanning
Shodan
Weeks 5-6
Focus: System hacking and exploitation
Password cracking
Privilege escalation
Metasploit
Weeks 7-8
Focus: Web, wireless, and cloud security
OWASP top 10
WiFi hacking
Cloud security
Exam Tips & Strategies
Highest cost certification here—significant investment
Hands-on practical experience with tools is essential
Lab environment practice is critical
Understand multiple hacking methodologies
Ethical and legal considerations are important
Career path into penetration testing or red teaming
Ready to Apply? Use HireKit's Free Tools
AI-powered job search tools for Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Add to Your Resume
Showcase this certification on an ATS-optimized resume
ATS Resume Checker
Verify your updated resume passes ATS screening
hirekit.co — AI-powered job search platform
Ready to start preparing for Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)?
Get a personalized study plan and track your progress toward certification.
Start Learning