The CEH or Certified Ethical Hacker certification proves an IT (Information Technology) security professional’s expertise and knowledge related to penetration testing. Along with the CompTIA Security+ certification and the security certification, the CEH certification is one of the most popular and in-demand training that can help you attain an expert role within the IT security domain. The CEH certification holder uses the white-hat penetration and testing techniques while also probes on the black hat techniques that may be used by the hackers to penetrate IT security system. The aim is to find out the loopholes in an IT system and to read the mind of the hackers to reveal all the vulnerabilities that IT may be exposed to. The certification is awarded by the EC-Council or the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants. The reputed organization is best known for awarding the IT security related certifications, including the CEH course and certification. The organization also awards the CNDA or Certified Network Defence Architect certification that has been specifically designed and created for the US government security agencies.
The Benefits of CEH certification
While CEH is a relatively new IT security-related certification, it is one of the first certifications to bring to fore the darker side of the Information Technology.
Here are some benefits of the CEH certification.
Be an expert
The knowledge domain of the CEH certification includes the development of IT systems and their management, designing and analysis of the information technology systems, security and penetration testing, reporting, risk mitigation, and ethics among others. The comprehensive course helps an IT security professional anticipate the hacker moves better and provides for error-free systems that are created through a forecasted approach. Real hacking techniques are used for analysis tools and the scanning of systems is also involved. Apart from penetration testers, the CEH certification is also valuable for the networking professionals.
More than 2200 hacking tools and around 140 labs of the real world are included within the course structure so that all the security concerns are met.
Higher salary
Those who have obtained the CEH certification get an annual salary of approximately $ 55,000 per year. The salary increase increases manifold with an increase in experience and the senior penetration testers get an annual salary of above $ 90000.
Accumulates a wide range of skills
The CEH security certification holders learn how to create, scan, ethically hack, test and also secure the systems. Some topics covered under the CEH training include:
● Penetration testing, incident management and other issues adversely affecting the IT security.
● Countermeasures, footprinting, and tools.
● Network scanning and countermeasures.
● Enumeration and countermeasures,
● Speed analysis, steganography, covering of tracks and the Steganalysis attacks.
● Viruses, computer worms, malware analysis and the countermeasures involved.
● Identity theft, social engineering and the countermeasures involved
● Botnets and DDOS/DOS attack.
● Wireless hacking and encryption tools for Wifi
● Vulnerabilities of the mobile operating systems including Android, iOS and Windows, and the security guidelines.
● Cloud Computing threats and security techniques involved.
Hence, the students of CEH certification and ethical hacking training learn almost all aspects of IT, computer, and mobile security. The certification is of immense value to the employer company. These skills can also be updated through advanced certifications and hence you stay in demand forever.
Training for these exams are provided at the Accredited Training Centres. The instructor-led training, course materials and other learning/training resources are available at a very affordable cost. One can also do self-study and appear for the exam but in this case, he or she will have to show a proof which proves that he/she has 2 years of previous experience in an Information Technology security work profile. The web-based multiple-choice exam has 150 questions and has to be concluded within 4 hours.
Michael Warne is a tech blogger and IT Certification Trainer at Koenig Solutions. He has an experience of 5 years in the industry, and has worked for top-notch IT companies. He is a Microsoft certified professional and is an IT career consultant for students who pursue various types of IT certifications.