4 Ethical Hacking Certifications to Boost Your Career

Ethical hackers play the role of an intruder by attempting to gain access to a computer system or network, application, or data. They do this legally and with the company's authorization to identify vulnerabilities. Working in this field means you need to use your best offensive cybersecurity skills to help improve your company's security. If you’re interested in a career as an ethical hacker, you might consider earning a certification as a way to validate your skills to potential employers, enhance your resume, and boost your confidence on the job. Keep reading to discover and compare four popular certification options for ethical hackers (or aspiring ethical hackers).

If you're ready to get started right away, learn and earn credentials with an industry leader by enrolling in IBM's Ethical Hacking with Open Source Tools Professional Certificate program. In as little as one month, you could learn the fundamentals of penetration testing, reporting, and how to execute simulated attacks using the Metasploit framework.

4 popular ethical hacking certifications

These four well-respected cybersecurity certifications are particularly relevant for careers in ethical hacking, penetration testing, and other areas of offensive cybersecurity.  

1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification

This ethical hacking certification from the EC-Council ranks among the top cybersecurity certifications companies are hiring for. The CEH is designed to help you think like a hacker and build skills in penetration testing and attack vectors, detection, and prevention.  

Requirements: To qualify for the CEH exam, the EC-Council recommends you have at least two years of work experience in information security. You can waive this recommendation by completing an official EC-Council training. How much does CEH certification cost? Take a look below.

Cost: $950 to $1,199 depending on testing location

Salary: $103,000 [1]

Tip for passing the exam: The EC-Council offers a free CEH Exam Blueprint, which outlines the topics covered in the multiple-choice test. Previous test takers have reported success using the practice exams from Boson to get a feel for what the actual test questions are like.

2. GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)

If you’re interested in penetration testing, a task within the umbrella of ethical hacking, then the GPEN certification could be a good fit. Earning your GPEN demonstrates your ability to perform penetration tests with the latest techniques and methodologies. Topics covered include test planning, scoping, and recon; scanning and exploitation; password attacks; and web application pen testing.

Requirements: You don’t have any prerequisites for taking the GPEN exam.

Cost: $1,699

Salary: $111,000 [2]

Tip for passing the exam: Take advantage of the two practice tests included when you register for the exam. They design these tests to simulate the actual exam environment. This can help you know what to expect and assess areas that might need more study.

Read more: How to Become a Penetration Tester

3. CompTIA PenTest+

The PenTest+ exam from CompTIA is unique in that it features both multiple-choice and performance-based questions (questions that test your ability to solve problems in a simulated environment). The exam covers your ability to perform penetration tests in a variety of situations, including cloud, hybrid, web application, onsite, and internet of Things (IoT) environments.

Requirements: Although you don’t need prerequisites, CompTIA recommends that you have three to four years of information security experience and that you’ve mastered the materials covered in the Network+ and Security+ exams.

Cost: $404

Salary: $98,064 (for penetration tester) [3]

Tip for passing the exam: The PenTest+ exam tests your knowledge in different ways, so it’s a good idea to prepare using a variety of different study resources. Take a look at a few resources that come recommended by previous test takers:

• Dr. Michael Solomon’s CompTIA PenTest+ video training

• CompTIA PenTest+ Study Guide by Mike Chapple and David Seidl

• CompTIA PenTest+ Practice Tests by Crystal Panek and Robb Tracy

What’s new? 

CompTIA launched a new version of their PenTest+ exam on October 27, 2021. In the latest version (PT0-002), a new Tools and Code Analysis domain will replace the Penetration Testing Tools domain, and the Reporting and Communication domain will be weighted more heavily than in the previous exam. Be sure to check that your study materials reflect the version of the exam you’re registered for.  

Consider the CompTia A+ Certification Specialization on Coursera to gain fundamental skills in cybersecurity. Learn about the challenges and opportunities of an entry-level cybersecurity support specialist.

4. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

Another highly sought-after certification for pen testers, ethical hackers, and other offensive-minded security pros, the OSCP tests your ability to breach a series of target machines and produce detailed reports for each attack.

Requirements: In order to take the OSCP exam, you need to first enroll in the Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PWK/PEN-200) course. The course offers instruction in various aspects of penetration testing, such as cybersecurity, information gathering, vulnerability scanning, and SQL injection attacks. Upon completion of the course and passage of the exam, you will receive OSCP certification.

Cost: $1,649 (course and certification bundle)

Salary: $101,000 [4]

Tip for passing the exam: Practice taking technical notes as you work through boxes or challenges during your preparation. Organize your notes with a table of contents so you can quickly access what you need on test day if you encounter a challenge that looks familiar. It’s also a good idea to prepare a report template for exploits ahead of the exam.

Roles that might request or require an ethical hacker certification

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that information security analyst roles will grow 33 percent in this decade, much faster than the average growth across all occupations [5]. As demand increases for cybersecurity professionals, so does the demand for specialized skills like those needed for ethical hacking.

Some of the job roles that often request or require these ethical hacking certifications include:

• Ethical hacker

• Penetration tester

• Red team 

• Malware analyst

• Code auditor

Get started in cybersecurity

Ready to develop both technical and workplace skills for a career in cybersecurity? The Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate on Coursera is your gateway to exploring job titles like security analyst, SOC (security operations center) analyst, and more. Upon completion, you’ll have exclusive access to a job platform with over 150 employees hiring for entry-level cybersecurity roles and other resources that will support you in your job search.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)