TrainACE - IT and Cybersecurity Training Blog

(** Updated March, 2023)

EC-Council's CEH Certification has become the must-have accreditation if you want to become a certified ethical hacker. While you can jump right in and take the exam with limited experience, there are some necessary CEH prerequisites and some recommended ones. Here's a breakdown of what ethical hacking is and our recommended CEH prerequisites.

What is a Certified Ethical Hacker?

Ethical hackers are IT professionals who use their technical and social hacking skills to legally expose vulnerabilities in an organization's IT echo system. Armed with feedback from ethical hackers, organizations can fix vulnerabilities before cybercriminals can exploit them. The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) accreditation is a professional IT certification that proves a holder has the knowledge and skills to thoroughly investigate an organization's IT vulnerabilities. CEH is also a standard requirement for many cyber security-based job roles, particularly in the Washington DC region, where we have a large concentration of government agencies, military organizations, and corporate headquarters. It's a challenge to keep one step ahead of cybercriminals. Having CEH qualified staff makes it easier.

Necessary CEH Prerequisites

In theory, with no previous IT experience, you can take a 40-hour training class with an EC-Council partner and then take the CEH exam. However, CEH is not considered an entry-level certification, and you are very unlikely to pass.

The CEH exam will be very challenging for candidates who do not have a year or two of computer experience under their belt. EC-Council, which administers the CEH exam, requires candidates to complete a pre-test application or a CEH training course with an accredited partner before taking the test.

The pre-test application documents that candidates have at least two years of experience working in the information security (infosec) field and cost $100 each time you apply.

Necessary CEH Prerequisites

To be successful in ethical hacking, you'll need to develop a wide range of skills. There are technical skills such as understanding TCP/IP and writing code, and softer skills, such as understanding how people behave when using computers. When it comes to ethical hacking, convincing an employee to click on a link in an email is as valuable as using a brute force attack to break a system's password.

As an experienced training school based in Greenbelt, Maryland, we recommend that candidates for the CEH exam have at least one, preferably two years' experience working in an infosec field. At the very least, you should have CompTIA A+ and Network+, or equivalent experience under your belt.

An understanding of a variety of IT disciplines is not necessary for the exam but will increase your chances of passing. These include knowledge of programming, databases, TCP/IP, and social networking.

The Best Way to Get CEH Certified

To be successful in ethical hacking, you'll need to develop a wide range of skills. There are technical skills such as understanding TCP/IP and writing code, and softer skills, such as understanding how people behave when using computers. In addition to this, a deep understanding of programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++ can be incredibly beneficial. Additionally, knowledge of databases and how they work, as well as social networking, can also be useful. When it comes to ethical hacking, convincing an employee to click on a link in an email is as valuable as using a brute force attack to break a system's password.

Soft skills are equally important in the world of ethical hacking. Understanding how people behave when using computers and the psychology behind their actions can be invaluable. For example, ethical hackers must be able to identify potential vulnerabilities and convince employees to avoid certain actions that could lead to security breaches. As such, the ability to communicate persuasively and effectively is essential.

As an experienced training school based in Greenbelt, Maryland, we recommend that candidates for the CEH exam have at least one, preferably two years' experience working in an infosec field. At the very least, you should have CompTIA A+ and Network+, or equivalent experience under your belt.

An understanding of a variety of IT disciplines is not necessary for the exam but will increase your chances of passing. These include knowledge of programming, databases, TCP/IP, and social networking.

Overall, to become a successful ethical hacker, you'll need to have a strong foundation in both technical and soft skills, as well as a thorough understanding of various IT disciplines. By combining these skills and knowledge, you'll be well on your way to a successful career in the exciting world of ethical hacking.

The TrainACE Difference

TrainACE offers in-person and online instructor-led CEH classes. We are an EC-Council-approved training partner, so you will not have to complete and pay for the pre-test application. We use experienced instructors who have spent time in the industry to be sure you will get quality training and support.

A significant difference between the TrainACE and other IT schools offering instructor-led CEH training is that if you fail your first exam but attended all the classes, we will offer you a chance to retake the class for free and give you a free exam retake voucher.

Learn more about our CEH training.