Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) vs Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP): Which Path to Take?
High Demand, High Reward: A Career in Ethical Hacking
The internet is a fantastic tool, but keeping our information safe online is more important than ever. Ethical hackers, also known as penetration testers, help keep our data safe by finding and fixing weak spots before anyone can break in and steal information. Imagine being the person who stops a major cyber attack or prevents a data breach that could impact millions. The need for skilled ethical hackers is growing, making it an exciting and rewarding career.
With the demand for ethical hackers growing, you might be interested in getting certified. Two popular choices are the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). But which path should you take? Both certifications are well-respected, but they focus on different things. Let’s break down each certification to help you pick the right path for your cybersecurity career.
CEH and OSCP: What Are They All About?
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certifications are both well-known in the cybersecurity world. But what do they involve?
CEH is offered by the EC-Council and teaches people how to think like hackers to protect systems. It covers topics like network security, cryptography, and system hacking, providing a broad understanding of hacking techniques and tools. The CEH exam tests your understanding of these concepts.
OSCP is provided by Offensive Security and is known for its hands-on approach. It tests your ability to perform real-world penetration testing. Unlike CEH, which covers more theory, OSCP focuses on practical skills and has a tough 24-hour exam.
Both certifications help you learn to find and fix security issues, but they do it in different ways. CEH gives you a strong foundation, while OSCP lets you hone your practical skills.
Prerequisites for Success in CEH and OSCP
Before starting the CEH certification, you should have some knowledge and experience in IT security. It’s recommended that you have at least two years of IT security experience. If you are new to the field, it’s a good idea to begin with foundational courses. The Free Cyber Security Essentials Series can help you build the necessary knowledge before moving on to certifications like CEH, CND, or CHFI.
For the OSCP certification, the PEN-200 course is designed for security professionals who want to improve their ethical hacking skills. It’s best if you already have a solid understanding of networking and are familiar with Linux and Windows systems. Basic scripting skills, such as using Bash or Python, are also helpful. If you need to strengthen your foundation, you can follow the Network Penetration Testing Essentials Learning Path, which is included in Learn Fundamentals and Learn One subscriptions.
Specifics of CEH and OSCP: What Do They Cover?
When it comes to the specific content covered by CEH and OSCP, there are notable differences and overlaps.
- CEH Course Content
The CEH course teaches various hacking techniques and methods. You’ll start with the basics of ethical hacking and then move on to more advanced topics like gathering information about targets, scanning networks, and identifying security weaknesses. You’ll learn how to gain access to systems, understand different types of malware, and capture network traffic. The course also covers manipulating people for information through social engineering, making networks unavailable through denial-of-service attacks, and avoiding detection by security systems.
You’ll explore web server and application vulnerabilities, database attacks such as SQL injection, and hacking wireless and mobile networks. Finally, you’ll delve into security for cloud computing and cryptography to protect information. This comprehensive course equips you with the skills to find and fix security issues effectively.
- OSCP Focus Areas
OSCP, conversely, focuses on practical skills. It starts with basic cybersecurity concepts and best practices. You’ll learn to write clear reports about security problems and how to fix them.
You will gather information about target systems using tools like Nmap and Shodan and scan for vulnerabilities with Nessus and OpenVAS. The course covers how web applications work and their common security issues. You’ll learn about web attacks like cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection, and how to prevent them.
The course also covers how to exploit vulnerabilities in web browsers and JavaScript. You’ll discover how to find and use public exploits in your testing. The final exam is challenging and assesses your ability to apply all these skills in a real-world scenario, demonstrating that you can handle practical penetration testing tasks.
Thus, while CEH covers more theory, OSCP is known for its rigorous practical exam that tests your skills in a real-world setting.
Comparing the Exams: CEH and OSCP
The CEH exam is a 4-hour test with 125 multiple-choice questions. It checks your knowledge of information security threats, attack methods, detection, prevention, and related procedures. Once you have earned your CEH certification, you can then take the CEH Practical exam. Specifically, this is a 6-hour, hands-on test where you must show your ethical hacking skills. For instance, you’ll use tools like Nmap and Hping for port scanning, detect vulnerabilities, and perform various attacks, including denial-of-service, session hijacking, web application attacks, and SQL injection. The test also covers using security tools like Acunetix WVS and IBM Security AppScan. In particular, the CEH Practical involves completing 20 challenges in a limited time within a real corporate network environment. Importantly, this exam is not a simulation; you will work with live virtual machines and applications to find and fix vulnerabilities. Ultimately, passing this exam is a step towards becoming a CEH Master.
On the other hand, the OSCP exam is an intensive 24-hour test of your penetration testing skills. During the exam, you will identify, exploit, and report on vulnerabilities in live systems within a lab environment. After the exam, you have another 24 hours to submit a detailed penetration testing report. The OSCP exam is completely hands-on. You will access a lab environment and work on compromising live systems, showcasing your practical penetration testing abilities.
In summary, the CEH exam includes both a theoretical multiple-choice test and a practical exam focusing on specific ethical hacking tasks. The OSCP exam, however, is entirely hands-on, requiring you to perform real-world penetration testing over an extended period and submit a comprehensive report. Both exams test your ability to find and fix security issues, but they do so in different ways.
CEH Training: Gearing Up for the Exam
Becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) usually takes about 5 days. The training is set up as a 5-day Bootcamp, with a 4-hour exam on the last day. If you choose a self-paced course, it might take longer.
Training is available worldwide through EC-Council’s iClass and over 900 Authorized Training Centers in 145 countries. EC-Council University also offers degrees in cybersecurity that include CEH training.
CEH training can be done online in two main ways: live classes with instructors or self-paced learning. The live classes (Masterclass) include online sessions with instructors, hands-on labs, and discussions. The self-paced option (iLearn) provides pre-recorded video lectures and labs that you can access anytime.
Ethical hacking classes teach you how to find and fix cybersecurity problems. The CEH course is great for starting or advancing a cybersecurity career. It covers important skills like penetration testing, countermeasures, legal issues, malware analysis, and hacking tools. CEH training helps you think like a hacker to better protect against cyber attacks.
OSCP Training: Ready for the Challenge
The OSCP training is based on the Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PWK/PEN-200) course. This program gives you access to a virtual lab where you can safely practice your hacking skills. The course includes detailed content, videos, and interactive exercises to help you prepare for the exam.
You will be part of an active online community of students and professionals, providing a supportive space for help and collaboration. Additionally, you can access a library of free resources covering important cybersecurity topics, enhancing your learning experience.
This hands-on approach ensures you are well-prepared for the OSCP exam, helping you build the practical skills needed for real-world cybersecurity challenges.
Career Prospects: What Opportunities Do They Offer?
Both CEH and OSCP can lead to various career opportunities in cybersecurity, but they cater to different paths.
CEH is often seen as an entry- to mid-level certification that provides a broad foundation in ethical hacking. It is trusted by employers worldwide as a key cybersecurity certification. Certified Ethical Hackers can hold many job titles because ethical hacking is fundamental to many cybersecurity roles. These roles include Penetration Tester, Network Defender, Secure Coder, Security Architect, Cloud Security Engineer, Auditor, and even leadership positions. CEH certification helps you validate your knowledge and opens doors to a wide range of jobs in cybersecurity.
In contrast, OSCP is highly respected for its practical focus and is often viewed as a more advanced certification. It shows that you can handle real-world penetration testing challenges. With an OSCP, you can pursue more specialized and higher-level roles such as Cybersecurity Consultant, Security Analyst, Vulnerability Researcher, and Network Security Engineer. These positions involve tasks like identifying and exploiting system vulnerabilities, advising on security strategies, monitoring networks for intrusions, and discovering new security weaknesses.
Therefore, while CEH helps you build a strong foundation and start your career, OSCP can take you to more advanced and specialized roles in the cybersecurity field.
CEH or OSCP: Which Path Suits You?
Which certification should you choose? It depends on your career goals, current skills, and how you like to learn.
If you are just starting in cybersecurity or want a broad understanding of ethical hacking, CEH might be the better option. It covers various hacking techniques and tools, giving you a strong foundation.
However, if you want a challenge and prefer hands-on learning, OSCP could be the way to go. It focuses on practical skills and has a demanding exam that is respected in the industry, leading to advanced roles.
Think about your learning style. If you prefer structured learning with a mix of theory and practice, CEH offers a balanced approach. But if you enjoy self-study and hands-on problem-solving, OSCP’s lab-focused training might be a better fit for you.
The Final Verdict: Weighing Your Options
Choosing between CEH and OSCP can be difficult, but knowing what each offers can help you decide. Both certifications teach valuable skills and open up great opportunities, but they suit different needs and career stages.
CEH gives you a broad foundation in ethical hacking and cybersecurity, making it ideal if you are just starting out. OSCP focuses on practical skills and real-world application, perfect if you are ready for more advanced challenges and specialized roles.
The best certification for you depends on your goals and how you like to learn. Both CEH and OSCP are highly respected and can boost your career in cybersecurity. Take the time to think about your options, consider your career goals, and choose the path that fits you best. Your journey in cybersecurity starts with the right choice, so make it count!