Which Ethical Hacking Certifications Are Worth Obtaining?
A certification can help enhance your IT career if you wish to succeed in the technology sector. The need for these positions will rise along with the need for more information security professionals. A job in ethical hacking is essential to ensuring that businesses defend their systems and data against intrusions.
The success of organizations depends heavily on ethical hackers. They accomplish this by spotting system flaws and assisting users in fixing them for improved cybersecurity. For organizations to adopt a more robust security posture, this function is essential.
There are numerous certifications available for ethical hackers to aid in professional preparation and to impart new knowledge and experiences. Nevertheless, it might be overwhelming to select the certification that is best for you. The six greatest certifications for ethical hackers to advance your IT profession are detailed in the following paragraphs.
An Overview to Ethical Hacking
Ethical hacking is the process of making an effort to circumvent a system’s or network’s security while having permission to do so in order to assess the security of the system or network. This procedure is a preventative measure to guarantee that systems are secure from the flaws that can lead to an attack. Penetration testing and authorized hacking are other names for ethical hacking.
Ethical hackers are adept at hacking techniques because they understand how to successfully protect data and information. The majority of skilled ethical hackers are familiar with how malevolent hackers think, act, and use hacking tools. To enter operating systems, these types of hackers frequently employ techniques like social engineering and phishing scams.
Is there a Demand for Certified Ethical Hackers?
People frequently inquire about the requirement for ethical hackers in the technology industry. Yes, in a nutshell, is the answer to that query. One of the most sought-after IT specialists nowadays is an ethical hacker. The most skilled ethical hackers have a lot of expertise using cryptography, leaving digital footprints, and keeping an eye on internal security measures.
To help protect their systems and data, organizations will continue to need ethical hackers and security analysts. The average cost of a data breach in 2021 was over $4.24 million. Cybersecurity experts are in greater demand than ever due to the ongoing rise in data breaches.
Due to the high need for these individuals, there are a large number of open positions in this industry. According to Cybercrime magazine, there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs, including ethical hacking, by 2025..
Since most companies prefer to hire people with substantial knowledge, abilities, and expertise in this industry, getting certified in ethical hacking is imperative if you want to fill one of these roles and earn additional hands-on experience. Respectfully, certifications can advance your IT profession by enhancing your abilities and competence.
Leading Certificates for Ethical Hackers
The principles of the position and how to think like a hacker are taught in ethical hacker certification courses and bootcamps that are now available. Choosing the ideal cybersecurity certification for you can be difficult because there are so many options available. A lot of cybersecurity certifications, including the CISSP, also cover penetration testing and ethical hacking topics. However, the six top ethical hacking certification exams that can advance your IT career are listed below for individuals who desire qualifications that are specifically related to ethical hacking.
CompTIA PenTest+
Network security and operating systems must be susceptible to testing by ethical hackers. A job-related task that is a component of an ethical hacking role is pen testing. Pen testers frequently need to have knowledge of malware and SQL injections in order to move and think like a malicious hacker. CompTIA PenTest+ can assist ethical hackers in gaining the expertise and knowledge required for their position.
The CompTIA PenTest+ certification exam’s advantage is that it includes both multiple-choice and performance-based questions. You can broaden your understanding of IT security and gain practical experience through this combination and the practice test, which will help you get ready for your certification exam and your part in ethical hacking. Candidates gain knowledge of penetration testing techniques for web applications, the Internet of Things (IoT), and traditional on-site, hybrid, and cloud systems.
Your ability to conduct penetration tests against operating systems, networks, firewalls, web servers and applications, and wireless communications will be improved by earning this certification. Additionally, it will teach you how to carry out system audits for security threats.
For the CompTIA PenTest+ test, there are no prerequisites. However, candidates are frequently urged to have three to four years of practical experience in addition to CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ certifications.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential, which is administered by the EC-council, is another widely accepted certification exam that teaches you how to think like an ethical hacker. Additionally, it aids in the development of your abilities in attack techniques, detection, and prevention.
The knowledge of security threats, hazards, and countermeasures is tested on the CEH exam. Information security professionals who are taking the exam are guided through hands-on labs, video lectures, self-study courses, and teacher training. By providing proof of at least two years of cybersecurity or similar expertise, more seasoned workers are able to take the exam without having to attend the training sessions.
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) is a practical penetration testing certification that is frequently regarded as the most challenging in the field of ethical hacking. You must pass a series of OSCE tests over a defined time period after completing an online course in order to receive the OSCP.
Although web application and network security are covered in the courses, penetration testing techniques are the main focus. After finishing, you will have proven your capacity to conduct in-depth penetration studies on substantial networks or intricate systems.
The OSCP differs from other certificates in that it assesses candidates’ actual proficiency. While there aren’t any immediate requirements for this exam, Offensive Security advises students to be familiar with networking, bash scripting, Perl or Python, and Linux.
The OSCP certification implements a rigorous learning and mastery environment where applicants’ skills are measured against those of other ethical hackers. Learners are given authentic ethical hacking scenarios to test on in a regulated testing environment.
Certified Security Testing Associate (CSTA)
For people who are new to the ethical hacking industry, the Certified Security Testing Associate (CSTA) certification is more entry-level. The CSTA certification, created by the UK-based 7Safe, will provide you a fundamental grasp of doing security testing.
The CTSA is designed to be a bootcamp type of training and exam for professionals wanting to break into the industry and is designed for UK-based information security professionals to branch into ethical hacking successfully.
To reduce the risk of an attack, you must understand how hackers think and act in order to become an ethical hacker. It can be difficult to do this without direct, practical experience. Before pursuing the path of becoming an ethical hacker, the CTSA assists with security testing, which is crucial.
Your ability to carry out various security assessments and audits on numerous systems while utilizing diverse tools and approaches is tested on the CSTA exam. You will also be expected to comprehend how these tools interact when used in penetration testing activities and how they work together in a network context.
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
For those interested in a career in digital forensics or forensic analysis, the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) certification is a fantastic option. The CHFI certification is ideally suited for IT professionals seeking employment in cybercrime investigation.
A mid-level certification for IT professionals, CHFI certification is administered by EC-Council. The test includes topics like mobile device forensics, incident response, and memory analysis of Windows or other operating systems.
This certification encompasses the investigation of evidence related to the Dark Web, IoT, and Cloud Forensics as well as hacking techniques and digital forensics. Learners will be ready to undertake digital investigations using cutting-edge digital forensics technology thanks to CHFI’s tools and procedures.
GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)
The Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) programme offers the professional-level GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) certification. The GPEN certification proves that applicants possess the know-how and abilities required to perform penetration testing on network systems.
The GPEN test includes both sophisticated ethical hacking techniques and fundamental security topics. Additionally, it has details on handling legal matters and reporting your results. The SANS Institute and GAIC have partnered to offer pen testing certificates for cloud settings and cloud security to people who want to specialize in ethical hacking.
IT professionals learning for the G PEN test will practice executing numerous attacks, such as Man-in-the-Middle, Denial of Service, and Social Engineering. Additionally, they will learn how to use a variety of tools to carry out penetration testing activities and how to write original scripts to automate these processes. The emphasis of the course is on practical, hands-on testing, so you’ll also learn how to apply your knowledge in practical settings.
Professional security testers with a minimum of two years of experience in the industry are encouraged to pursue the GPEN certification.
What Types of Jobs Need Ethical Hacking Certification?
The majority of jobs that call for an ethical hacking certification also demand proficiency in system administration, risk management evaluations, penetration testing, and network and system auditing. Many major technological businesses, including IBM and Google, have a significant demand for individuals with ethical hacking credentials and experience. The following jobs generally call for an ethical hacking certification:
- Penetration tester
- Vulnerability assessor
- Information security analyst
- Security analyst
- Ethical hacker
- Security consultant
- Security engineer / architect
- Information security manager
- IT auditor
- IT consultant
How Do I Pick the Best Ethical Hacking Certificate?
Earning certificates enables you to gain new skills and develop your career in the rapidly growing field of ethical hacking in cybersecurity.
When looking at certifications, it is ideal to pick a course that will help you advance your profession. Consider these four steps to choose the best ethical hacking certification:
- Make a list of the relevant talents you already possess.
- Make a list of the job positions in which you are interested.
- Determine the abilities you must acquire for these positions.
- After that, compare these talents to the relevant certification.
Researching and selecting the proper ethical hacking certification for your requirements and goals is just as important as studying for the certification itself because there is a fair amount of time and commitment required.
Furthermore, you should be aware that many professions today can require a degree in addition to your certification. You may start getting ready today because ethical hacking and cybersecurity are expanding sectors with increasing need. You can learn what employers want in ethical hackers by researching job roles on networking websites like LinkedIn or ZipRecruiter.
Most certification programs will involve some prior knowledge and expertise in the domain of information security. However, a combination of a degree, certification, and experience might be most helpful when landing a post in information security and help you advance your IT career.