Best Ethical Hacking Certifications to Boost Your Career
Introduction
The demand for ethical hackers is rising as cyber threats become more sophisticated. Organizations seek skilled professionals who can identify vulnerabilities, secure systems, and protect sensitive data. Ethical hacking certifications are essential for proving your expertise and increasing job opportunities in the cybersecurity field.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best ethical hacking certifications, their benefits, career prospects, and how they can help you land high-paying jobs.
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1. Why Ethical Hacking Certifications Matter
✔ Industry Recognition – Certifications validate your skills and increase credibility.
✔ Higher Salary Potential – Certified ethical hackers earn significantly more than non-certified professionals.
✔ Better Job Opportunities – Many companies require certifications for cybersecurity roles.
✔ Practical Knowledge – Certifications focus on real-world cybersecurity challenges, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessment.
✔ Career Growth – Helps in career advancement to roles like Security Consultant, Penetration Tester, and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
2. Best Ethical Hacking Certifications in 2025
1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – EC-Council
✔ Level: Beginner to Intermediate
✔ Duration: Self-paced or instructor-led training
✔ Cost: $1,199 (exam fee)
✔ Exam Format: 125 multiple-choice questions (4 hours)
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is one of the most recognized ethical hacking certifications. It covers penetration testing, malware threats, cryptography, and network security.
✅ Best For: Beginners who want to start their ethical hacking career.
2. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) – Offensive Security
✔ Level: Advanced
✔ Duration: Self-paced (30-90 days lab access)
✔ Cost: $1,599 (includes lab access and exam)
✔ Exam Format: 24-hour practical exam
The OSCP is one of the most challenging ethical hacking certifications. Unlike CEH, it is entirely hands-on and focuses on real-world penetration testing skills.
✅ Best For: Security professionals who want to specialize in penetration testing.
3. GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) – SANS Institute
✔ Level: Intermediate
✔ Duration: Self-paced or instructor-led
✔ Cost: $8,625 (includes training & exam)
✔ Exam Format: 82 multiple-choice questions (3 hours)
The GPEN certification focuses on penetration testing methodologies, exploitation techniques, and network security.
✅ Best For: Security analysts and penetration testers looking for deep technical expertise.
4. CompTIA PenTest+ – CompTIA
✔ Level: Intermediate
✔ Duration: Self-paced or instructor-led
✔ Cost: $392
✔ Exam Format: 85 multiple-choice & performance-based questions (2.5 hours)
The PenTest+ certification is a great alternative to CEH, covering penetration testing, security assessments, and vulnerability scanning.
✅ Best For: IT professionals transitioning into cybersecurity.
5. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – ISC²
✔ Level: Advanced
✔ Duration: Self-paced or instructor-led
✔ Cost: $749
✔ Exam Format: 100-150 questions (3 hours)
The CISSP is not purely an ethical hacking certification, but it is one of the most prestigious cybersecurity certifications. It focuses on security architecture, risk management, and cryptography.
✅ Best For: Experienced cybersecurity professionals aiming for leadership roles.
6. Certified Red Team Operator (CRTO) – Zero-Point Security
✔ Level: Advanced
✔ Duration: Self-paced (40 hours of lab access)
✔ Cost: $450
✔ Exam Format: Practical exam (48 hours)
The CRTO focuses on red teaming, Active Directory exploitation, and evading security defenses. It is highly practical and valued in penetration testing and red teaming.
✅ Best For: Experienced ethical hackers specializing in red team operations.
7. eLearnSecurity Certified Professional Penetration Tester (eCPPT) – eLearnSecurity
✔ Level: Intermediate
✔ Duration: Self-paced
✔ Cost: $399+
✔ Exam Format: Hands-on penetration test
The eCPPT is a practical penetration testing certification, covering network security, web app testing, and exploitation.
✅ Best For: Cybersecurity professionals who prefer hands-on learning.
8. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) – ISC²
✔ Level: Advanced
✔ Duration: Self-paced or instructor-led
✔ Cost: $599
✔ Exam Format: 125 questions (3 hours)
The CCSP is ideal for ethical hackers working in cloud security. It covers cloud architecture, data protection, and identity management.
✅ Best For: Ethical hackers focusing on cloud security.
3. Which Certification Should You Choose?
| Certification | Best For | Experience Level | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEH | Beginners | Entry-Level | Ethical Hacking Basics |
| OSCP | Penetration Testers | Advanced | Hands-On Pen Testing |
| GPEN | Security Analysts | Intermediate | Exploitation Techniques |
| PenTest+ | IT Professionals | Intermediate | Pen Testing & Security Assessments |
| CISSP | Security Managers | Advanced | Security Architecture & Risk Management |
| CRTO | Red Team Operators | Advanced | Active Directory & Red Teaming |
| eCPPT | Penetration Testers | Intermediate | Practical Pen Testing |
| CCSP | Cloud Security Specialists | Advanced | Cloud Security |
4. Career Benefits of Ethical Hacking Certifications
✔ Higher Salary Potential – Certified ethical hackers earn ₹8-20 LPA in India and $90,000 - $150,000 in the US.
✔ Global Recognition – Certifications like CEH, OSCP, and CISSP are recognized worldwide.
✔ Better Job Opportunities – Many cybersecurity jobs require at least one certification.
✔ Hands-on Skills – Certifications like OSCP, eCPPT, and CRTO provide real-world experience.
5. How to Prepare for an Ethical Hacking Certification?
✔ Learn the Basics – Study network security, Linux, and scripting languages (Python, Bash).
✔ Take Online Courses – Platforms like Udemy, Cybrary, and Pluralsight offer great cybersecurity courses.
✔ Practice in Labs – Use Hack The Box, TryHackMe, and VulnHub for real-world penetration testing practice.
✔ Read Cybersecurity Blogs – Follow KrebsOnSecurity, The Hacker News, and OWASP for the latest security updates.
Conclusion
Choosing the right ethical hacking certification depends on your career goals and experience level.
✔ For Beginners: Start with CEH or PenTest+.
✔ For Penetration Testers: Go for OSCP, GPEN, or eCPPT.
✔ For Security Managers: Consider CISSP or CCSP.
✔ For Red Teaming: Choose CRTO.
Investing in ethical hacking certifications will open doors to high-paying jobs, career growth, and job security in the booming cybersecurity industry.
Are you ready to take your cybersecurity career to the next level? Start preparing for your certification today!