A certified ethical hacker (CEH) is a credentialed security IT professional who evaluates computer systems for possible security vulnerabilities and weaknesses. A CEH uses the same knowledge and tools as a malicious hacker and threat actor but uses their resources lawfully and legitimately to help MSPs, MSSPs, and IT enterprises build a more robust cybersecurity framework.
The Certified Ethical Hacker certification
The CEH certification by the EC-Council is a globally recognized cybersecurity credential that teaches professionals various ethical hacking practices. It operates on the principle of, “To beat a hacker, you need to think like one”, and guides IT pros to lawfully penetrate computers and IT networks to determine if vulnerabilities exist and then take preventative, corrective, and protective countermeasures to mitigate the risk.
The CEH credential:
- Teaches professional information security specialists various ethical hacking measures;
- Informs the public that the credentialed professional meets or exceeds the minimum standards; and
- Reinforces ethical hacking as a legitimate and unique profession.
The actual exam comprises 125 questions and lasts for around four hours. To maintain the high integrity of the certificate, EC-Council exams are provided in multiple forms, with different “cut scores” set on a “per exam form basis”. Depending on which exam form is challenged, these cut scores can range from 60% to 85%. As of the time of writing, the application fee is $100.
Is the CEH certificate from the EC-Council the only ethical hacking certification?
The CEH certification by the EC-Council is the most widely recognized ethical hacking certification. However, security professionals who want a more holistic cybersecurity certification portfolio can also consider the following:
- CompTIA PenTest+: The CompTIA PenTest+ covers hands-on vulnerability assessment, scanning, and analysis. Unlike other pentesting exams, CompTIA PenTest+ uses both performance-based and knowledge-based testing.
- SANS GIAC Penetration Testing (GPEN): The GPEN certification evaluates how well a cybersecurity professional can properly conduct a penetration test using best practice techniques and methodologies.
You can also take advantage of the NinjaOne Academy, a free training and certification program that educates IT professionals on NinjaOne’s endpoint management platform, including how it prevents cyberattacks.
What is ethical hacking?
The goal of a certified ethical hacker is to improve network and endpoint security without harming the network or its users. They use the same skills as malicious hackers but are legitimately employed by business leaders who want to future-proof their organizations.
In a way, ethical hacking can be considered a “rehearsal” for real-world cyberattacks. Business leaders can keep their networks ready for 2025 and beyond by hiring ethical hackers to launch simulated attacks on their computer networks. During these attacks, an ethical hacker demonstrates how an actual cybercriminal would attempt to break into a network and exploit any vulnerability.
From there, your security analysts can use this information to strengthen your security systems and protect sensitive data.
It’s worth noting that ethical hacking is often interchanged with “penetration testing”. However, pentesting is only one of the many methods ethical hackers use. Ethical hackers are well-versed in the various techniques real-world hackers use and may even research heavily on the dark web for the latest methods. As such, CEHs can also conduct vulnerability assessments, malware analysis, and other network security services.
Code of ethics of certified ethical hackers
Because ethical hacking is closely related to nefarious activities, certified ethical hackers must maintain a strict code of ethics. Aside from their certification from the EC-Council, CEHs must maintain their integrity through a set of values, which include:
- No harm must be caused by an ethical hacker. Just as medical professionals are empowered to never harm their patients, ethical hackers must never do actual damage to the systems they hack, nor steal any personal data they may find. Ethical hackers exist only to protect and demonstrate what real cybercriminals may do.
- Everything is confidential. Ethical hackers share their findings of any security vulnerabilities with their clients—and only with their clients. They also use this data to assist the company to strengthen their network defenses.
- Ethical hackers always get permission from the companies they hack. Certified ethical hackers work with and are employed by the organizations they hack. This means that there is a clearly defined contract and service level agreement on the scope of the CEH’s activities, including hacking timelines, the methods they will use, and the assets to be tested.
- Ethical hackers operate within the law. True to their names, ethical hackers only use legal methods to assess information security. Though some argue against ethical hacking’s limitations, it is crucial that CEHs maintain a firm distinction between what is right and what is easy.
Benefits of having a certified ethical hacker on your team
An ethical hacker can help you understand your network vulnerabilities from an attacker’s point of view. While there are many ways to assess your cybersecurity, having an ethical hacker gives you a more personalized view of how threat actors could exploit various vulnerabilities in your organization. This may provide valuable insights that traditional security prevention measures may miss. For example, a certified ethical hack will head head-to-head with your firewalls and cryptography algorithms and see exactly how these defenses work in practice and where there are limitations.
NinjaOne improves endpoint security
Conversely, you can use NinjaOne’s #1 RMM software solution with its built-in tools to improve endpoint security. Trusted by 17,000+ customers worldwide, NinjaOne automates the hardest parts of IT to deliver real-time visibility, security, and control over all your endpoints. Its endpoint security tool helps you manage applications, remotely edit registries, deploy scripts, and mass configure devices in a single pane of glass.
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