If you love the thrill and challenge of hacking but want to use your skills for good, you should consider ethical hacking.
An ethical hacking certification isn’t required by law, but it is essential to find work as an ethical hacker.
To get your ethical hacking certification, you’ll need to start with an ethical hacking boot camp.
Table of Contents
Ethical Hacking Certification Overview
- Average Cost: $3,000 average range $2,000-$5,000
- Duration: 5 days
- Format: Online, live online
- Level: Beginner, intermediate
Ethical Hacking Certification Curriculum
An ethical hacking curriculum is designed to take you from beginner to expert hacker.
Some courses include Python programming for those who aren’t familiar with it.
This allows you to create your own custom hacking tools and programs.
If you understand how to program, you may be able to skip this portion of the course.
You’ll learn how to create a hacking lab with Kali Linux.
This allows you to practice your skills legally.
To do this, you’ll need a computer with Windows, Linux, or Mac.
You’ll also learn:
- Advanced Nmap Usage
- 5 phases of penetration test
- How to gain router access
- Networking and applicable protocols
- How to combine skills and techniques
- How to access machines with different operating systems
- Information gathering and footprinting
An ethical hacking boot camp should prepare you to take the CEH Certification.
This exam features 120 multiple-choice questions that you have four hours to complete.
Then, you’ll take a practical exam that allows you to show your hacking skills.
You have 6 hours to complete this test.
Benefits of an Ethical Hacking Certification Boot Camp
Gain Valuable Skills
The most obvious benefit of an ethical hacking certification boot camp is that you’ll gain valuable hacking skills.
Once you have this knowledge, you can use it in a variety of ways.
Start a New Career
If you are stuck in a career you don’t enjoy, ethical hacking can give you a new start.
You’ll learn everything you need to know to begin your new career.
Get Started Quickly
Many careers require you to spend years in school.
You can complete an ethical certification boot camp fast.
Many take less than a week.
This allows you to begin a new career or advance your current career in weeks, rather than years.
Make a Difference and Fight Cyber Terrorism
Becoming an ethical hacker allows you to make a real difference in society.
You’ve seen how severely hackers can affect companies and individuals.
Why not use your skills to prevent hackers from hacking into your systems?
Improve Security in Your Professional and Personal Life
Understanding ethical hacking will allow you to defend against black hat hackers, in your personal and professional life.
You’ll know that your data is safe, and be able to protect your personal computer and information.
You can also protect the company you work for.
Ability to Become Certified
An ethical hacking certification shows that you have the skills needed to be successful and effective.
You’ll have more job opportunities with a certification.
You’ll also feel confident because you have the practice and experience you need.
Potential for a Promotion
An ethical hacking boot camp can give you the skills you need to get a promotion.
If you are working in the field currently, this can be the boost you need to get a more skilled job with higher pay.
Cost of an Ethical Hacking Certification Boot Camp
The costs of an ethical hacking certification boot camp range from $2,000 to $5,000.
The cheapest course is the introductory course from NC State University, which costs $180.
If you take all the courses in the extended program, you’ll pay $17,980 for 11 cybersecurity courses.
In addition to the cost of the boot camp, you may also need to pay for the CEH exam.
Some boot camps will provide you with a voucher to take the exam, however.
Timeframe for an Ethical Hacking Certification Boot Camp
Most ethical hacking boot camps take 5 days to complete.
You can expect training to be intensive during this time
. You may also have access to training materials, including exercises or virtual labs, for 3 to 6 months after beginning the program.
In addition to boot camps, some programs feature extended training that covers nearly every aspect of hacking and cybersecurity.
These programs can last as long as 35 weeks, with another 7 weeks to take practice exams.
If you have no experience with cybersecurity, you may want to take a beginner coding or programming course first.
These courses can take up to 8 weeks, and give you a good foundation for learning ethical hacking.
Top Ethical Hacking Certification Boot Camps
EC-Council
- Level: Intermediate
- Formats: Online, Live
- Cost: $2,199 to $3,499
EC-Council gives the ethical hacking certification exam.
This makes their training a great way to prepare for the exam.
Once you’ve completed the training, you should be ready to pass the exam and get your certification.
If you don’t want to take the exam right away, you can take the training program for $850.
However, you’ll need to pay the $950 exam fee when you are ready to take it.
You have a few options when it comes to taking this bootcamp.
One method is to take a self-paced online course.
This allows you to complete the program in your own time.
You can also choose the live online option.
You’ll need to be present for online classes, and you’ll have regular deadlines to complete your coursework.
If you want to learn the basics of cybersecurity, it’s recommended that you take a beginner’s course in coding before taking this course, but it’s not a prerequisite.
INFOSEC
- Level: Beginner
- Formats: Online
- Cost: $4,599.00
INFOSEC paired with Ed2Go to provide ethical hacking training.
The program is known as Ethical Hacking Dual Certification Boot Camp (CEH and PenTest+).
The boot camp lasts for 5 days and has frequent start dates.
Once you’ve completed the program, you’ll be able to access materials for 3 months.
This program provides vouchers for the CEH and PenTest+ exams.
If you fail your first exam, you can get a voucher to retake the test.
However, you must meet certain requirements, including attending 85% of classes and taking the first exam within three months of completing the boot camp.
On day 1, you’ll learn the basics, including planning and scoping engagement and security testing methodologies.
Day 2 focuses on Network Scanning and Service Identification.
On day 3, you’ll learn about vulnerabilities.
Topics include vulnerability life cycles, server-side exploits, and password security.
Day 4 covers the exfiltration of Data & SQL Injection.
Topics include the use of trojans and creating custom encryption tunneling applications.
On day 5, you’ll learn Wireless Security, Basic Scripts for Ethical Hacking, and Covering Your Tracks.
Topics include attack sniffers and man-in-the-middle attacks.
Zero to Mastery
- Level: Beginner
- Format: Online
- Cost: $39 to $999
Zero to Mastery has a different cost format. Instead of charging you for this specific course, they charge you a membership fee.
Members have access to any course on their site, which can allow you to master different skills for a lower cost.
If you pay monthly, you’ll pay $39.
You can also pay $279 per year, or $999 for a lifetime membership.
Zero to Mastery breaks up lectures into short videos, so you can learn when it’s convenient for you.
You’ll create your own virtual hacking lab with Linux.
Don’t worry, you can do this with a Windows, Linux, or Mac operating system.
You’ll also work on projects that allow you to test your knowledge and skills as you work your way through the course.
Topics include Linux, reconnaissance and information gathering, scanning, and vulnerability analysis.
If you are new to coding, you should complete the Python portion as well.
This is optional, but it will allow you to improve your skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ethical hacking certification?
The best ethical hacking certification is administered by the EC-Council.
The certification is known as CEH, which stands for Certified Ethical Hacker.
To become fully certified, you’ll need to pass a multiple-choice and practical test.
Is the ethical hacking certification exam hard to pass?
The certification exam can be challenging, particularly if you are new to hacking or cybersecurity.
The more time you spend preparing for the exam, the easier it will be for you to pass.
If you fail the exam, you can take it again.
You’ll pay $450 for retakes for the multiple-choice test.
However, some boot camps will give you a voucher for unlimited retakes.
Introductory Course is $180 in total.
If you decide to continue on to the Extended Program which includes 11 cybersecurity courses, the cost will be $17,800. Equaling to $17,980 in total.
Cyber Training 365 2083
- Infosec Skills
- $4,599.00
- Boot Camp Training Discount$500.00
- Discounted Boot Camp Training Price$4,099.00
How long does it take to become a certified ethical hacker?
You can become an ethical hacker in a matter of days or weeks.
Ethical hacking boot camps can be completed in just 5 days.
However, if you have no coding knowledge, it may take you longer to fully prepare.
Then, you’ll need at least one day, probably two, to take both certification tests.
If you have 2 years of experience in the field, you can skip the boot camp.
However, you’ll need to provide references so that your experience can be verified.
Once you are approved, you can take the certification exam.
How much does the Ethical Hacking Certification cost?
The minimum for the multiple choice test is $950, plus a $100 application fee.
If you want to take the test online, you’ll need to pay another $100 for a proctor.
The practical exam is another $550.
Some boot camps include a voucher for the test, which allows you to waive the $950 cost.
These boot camps include this cost in the cost of the training.
