Comparing Ethical Hacking Certifications: CEH, CompTIA PenTest+ and OSCP

In an era where cybersecurity threats are on the rise, the importance of qualified security professionals cannot be overstated. Three certifications that stand out in the field of ethical hacking are the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA PenTest+ and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). Each of these certifications have their unique strengths and are designed to validate the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in the area of penetration testing and ethical hacking. This article aims to compare and contrast these certifications, providing an in-depth analysis to assist aspiring cybersecurity professionals in making an informed decision about their certification pathway.

Common Job Roles that Request Ethical Hacking Certifications

In the landscape of ethical hacking, choosing the right certification can significantly influence one's career trajectory. Below, we delve deeper into the common job roles associated with the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA PenTest+, and OSCP certifications, providing insights into the potential career paths these qualifications can unlock.

• Cybersecurity Auditor : Performs security audits and risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities in an organization's systems and networks.

• Ethical Hacker/Penetration Tester: Tests the security of an organization's systems and networks by attempting to exploit vulnerabilities.

• Security Analyst: Analyzes security incidents, monitors systems for potential threats, and implements security measures to protect against cyber attacks.

• Security Administrator: Manages and maintains an organization's security systems, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software.

• Vulnerability Assessment Analyst : Conducts vulnerability assessments and helps organizations patch vulnerabilities in their systems and networks.

• Network Security Engineer: Designs, implements, and maintains secure network infrastructure to protect against cyber threats.

• Incident Responder: Responds to security incidents,

• Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst: Monitors and analyzes security events to detect and respond to potential threats.

Certified Ethical Hacker

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is highly sought after within the information security sector, recognized globally as a leading credential for cybersecurity professionals. It has gained popularity due to its comprehensive coverage of hacking technologies and countermeasures, revealing the methods and tools employed by attackers, and consequently, how to defend against them.

The CEH was developed by the EC-Council, a global organization dedicated to building and refining the cybersecurity profession. Trusted by Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and educational institutions around the world, EC-Council offers world-class cybersecurity education programs and certifications. With a wide range of programs, including the renowned Certified Ethical Hacker, EC-Council equips individuals and organizations with the knowledge and skills needed to combat cyber threats. Founded in 2001, EC-Council has offices in multiple countries and is recognized by industry-leading authorities.

Pre-Req's

To pursue a Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) certification, it is recommended that candidates have 2 years of IT experience as well as:

  1. A strong understanding of TCP/IP: Proficiency in TCP/IP is fundamental to understanding how cyber attacks are carried out.
  2. Familiarity with Operating Systems: Knowledge of how different operating systems work, particularly Windows and Linux, is also important.
  3. Basic Knowledge of Networking Concepts: A strong foundation in networking concepts like routing, switching, subnetting is crucial.
  4. Understanding of Programming Languages: Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, or PHP is useful in automating tasks and understanding potential vulnerabilities.

Please note, it is beneficial but not compulsory to have these skills before undertaking the C|EH certification. The training course itself is designed to teach many of these skills.

What do you learn?

The C|EH® v12 equips aspiring ethical hackers with the essential knowledge and skills to excel in cybersecurity. Its' 20 modules cover a wide range of technologies and tactics:

  1. Introduction to Ethical Hacking: Cover the fundamental aspects of key issues in the information security realm. This comprehensive course encompasses the basics of ethical hacking, information security controls, relevant laws, and standard procedures.
  2. Foot Printing and Reconnaissance: Acquire knowledge of the latest techniques and tools for conducting foot printing and reconnaissance. This critical pre-attack phase plays a pivotal role in the ethical hacking process.
  3. Scanning Networks: Explore diverse network scanning techniques and countermeasures to bolster network security.
  4. Enumeration: Expand your understanding of various enumeration techniques, such as Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and Network File Sharing (NFS) exploits, along with their associated countermeasures.
  5. Vulnerability Analysis: Develop the skills to identify security loopholes in a target organization's network, communication infrastructure, and end systems. Gain insights into different types of vulnerability assessment and vulnerability assessment tools.
  6. System Hacking: Delve into various system hacking methodologies, including steganography, steganalysis attacks, and covering tracks. These techniques are essential for identifying system and network vulnerabilities.
  7. Malware Threats: Familiarize yourself with different types of malware, including Trojans, viruses, worms, and more. Explore advanced persistent threats (APTs) and fileless malware, along with procedures and countermeasures for malware analysis.
  8. Sniffing: Gain a deep understanding of packet-sniffing techniques and how they can be utilized to uncover network vulnerabilities. Additionally, explore effective countermeasures to defend against sniffing attacks.
  9. Social Engineering: Acquaint yourself with social engineering concepts and techniques. Learn to identify theft attempts, audit human-level vulnerabilities, and propose social engineering countermeasures.
  10. Denial-of-Service: Acquire knowledge about different Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed DoS (DDoS) attack techniques. Understand the tools used to audit a target and devise DoS and DDoS countermeasures and protections.
  11. Session Hijacking: Explore various session hijacking techniques employed to discover network-level session management, authentication, authorization, and cryptographic weaknesses. Comprehend the associated countermeasures.
  12. Evading IDS, Firewalls, and Honeypots: Gain insights into evasion techniques for firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and honeypots. Discover the tools utilized to audit a network perimeter for weaknesses and countermeasures.
  13. Hacking Web Servers: Learn about web server attacks, including a comprehensive attack methodology employed to audit vulnerabilities in web server infrastructures. Additionally, explore effective countermeasures.
  14. Hacking Web Applications: Understand web application attacks and a comprehensive web application hacking methodology employed to audit vulnerabilities in web applications. Discover effective countermeasures.
  15. SQL Injection: Explore SQL injection attacks, evasion techniques, and effective countermeasures.
  16. Hacking Wireless Networks: Gain comprehensive knowledge about different types of wireless technologies, encryption, threats, hacking methodologies, hacking tools, Wi-Fi security tools, and effective countermeasures.
  17. Hacking Mobile Platforms: Acquire knowledge about mobile platform attack vectors, Android and iOS hacking, mobile device management, mobile security guidelines, and security tools.
  18. IoT Hacking: Understand different types of IoT and OT attacks, hacking methodologies, hacking tools, and countermeasures.
  19. Cloud Computing: Explore various cloud computing concepts, including container technologies and serverless computing. Understand cloud computing threats, attacks, hacking methodologies, and cloud security techniques and tools.
  20. Session Hijacking: Gain insights into various session hijacking techniques employed to discover network-level session management, authentication, authorization, and cryptographic weaknesses. Understand the associated countermeasures.

CEH Summary

As cyber threats continue to evolve, the demand for CEH certified professionals remains high, making it a top choice for individuals aiming to advance in this field. This certification covers a wide range of topics related to ethical hacking, providing individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify vulnerabilities in information systems and implement effective security measures.

CompTIA PenTest+

The CompTIA PenTest+ certification is recognized globally and is a valuable credential for professionals seeking to further their career in the field of cybersecurity. It demonstrates an individual's knowledge and expertise in conducting thorough penetration tests to identify vulnerabilities and protect organizations from potential cyber attacks.

This certification, known as CompTIA, is offered by the Computing Technology Industry Association. CompTIA is a renowned non-profit trade association recognized worldwide for its professional certifications in the IT industry. With a commitment to advancing technology and fostering industry standards, CompTIA has become a trusted authority in the field, providing individuals with the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge in various IT domains. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your career in IT, obtaining a CompTIA certification can open doors to new opportunities and validate your expertise in the ever-evolving world of technology. Their certifications cover a wide spectrum of IT specialties including networking, security, cloud, and more.

CompTIA PenTest+ is one of these certifications, specifically designed for cybersecurity professionals tasked with penetration testing and vulnerability management. This certification validates the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, exploit, report, and manage vulnerabilities on a network.

PenTest+ Prerequisites

Before pursuing the CompTIA PenTest+ certification, it's essential to have certain foundational knowledge and experience. While there are no mandatory prerequisites, CompTIA recommends that candidates should have:

  1. CompTIA Network+ and Security+ or equivalent knowledge.
  2. A minimum of 3-4 years of hands-on information security or related experience.
  3. A thorough understanding of TCP/IP, information security concepts and technologies, and knowledge of common attack vectors and penetration testing methodologies.

This background will equip candidates with the necessary context to understand the advanced concepts presented in the PenTest+ certification and allows for a deeper understanding of the material.

What do you learn in PenTest+

The CompTIA PenTest+ certification equips candidates with practical abilities to conduct hands-on penetration testing. During the course of study, you will learn:

  1. Planning and Scoping: This involves understanding the scope and limitations of a penetration test, conducting threat modeling and defining the key objectives.
  2. Information Gathering and Vulnerability Identification: This domain focuses on gathering data, identifying vulnerabilities, and understanding how these vulnerabilities can be exploited.
  3. Attacks and Exploits: This section covers the actual penetration testing techniques, including social engineering, network attacks, and physical attacks.
  4. Penetration Testing Tools: You will learn about a variety of common penetration testing tools, their purpose, features, and how to apply them in different scenarios.
  5. Reporting and Communication: This crucial domain teaches how to report findings, communicate them effectively to stakeholders, and provide recommended mitigation strategies.

Each domain has a set of objectives that form the basis for the PenTest+ certification exam, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of penetration testing processes and methodologies.

Moreover, the CompTIA PenTest+ certification also emphasizes the importance of legal and ethical considerations in conducting penetration testing. Candidates will be trained to adhere to industry standards and regulations when performing their duties as a penetration tester.

In addition to technical skills, the certification also focuses on soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. These skills are essential for successful penetration testing as they help in effectively communicating findings, analyzing complex situations, and providing appropriate solutions.

CompTIA PenTest+ Summary

The CompTIA PenTest+ certification offers a holistic approach towards understanding and mastering penetration testing. It meticulously covers both the technical and non-technical aspects, ensuring a well-rounded skill set for the aspirants. The program emphasizes legality and ethical considerations, and hones essential soft skills, creating professionals who are not just technologically proficient, but also responsible and effective communicators. This makes CompTIA PenTest+ an invaluable stepping stone for those aspiring to build a career in cybersecurity and penetration testing.

OSCP

Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) is a globally recognized certification for cybersecurity professionals. OSCP is a hands-on certification that validates the holder's ability to conduct penetration testing and ethical hacking in real-world scenarios. It requires practical understanding and demonstrates the candidate's resilience, persistence, and creativity in overcoming challenges in a controlled environment. The certification is widely respected in the cybersecurity world due to its rigorous 24-hour examination that tests hands-on skills

The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification is sponsored by Offensive Security, a company renowned for its dedication to improving the security of the internet. Founded in 2007, Offensive Security is committed to providing the highest quality information security training and certifications. They are also recognized as the creators of Kali Linux, a powerful and widely-used open-source penetration testing platform.

Prerequisites for Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

The OSCP does not require formal prerequisites. However, to succeed in the OSCP certification, it is recommended that candidates have a solid understanding of networking, scripting, and systems management skills. Familiarity with Bash and Python scripting can be particularly beneficial. In addition, a strong, hands-on background in systems administration or penetration testing can significantly aid in comprehending the course materials and successfully completing the rigorous exam. Prior completion of the Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PWK) training offered by Offensive Security is also highly suggested, as it provides a strong foundation for the skills evaluated in the OSCP exam.

What Do You Learn in OSCP?

The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) course offers a comprehensive practical learning experience, designed to impart a deep understanding of real-world penetration testing. Throughout the course, you learn how to identify, exploit, and document vulnerabilities within the boundaries of legal authorization. The curriculum includes advanced techniques like buffer overflows, privilege escalation, and bypassing firewalls, as well as the effective use of Kali Linux and its tools. Importantly, the course cultivates an ability to think creatively and persistently about problems, a critical aspect of cybersecurity work.

The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) covers several critical domains of penetration testing:

  1. Information Gathering: This domain covers the required skills to collect as much information as possible about a target system, network, or organization before launching an attack.
  2. Vulnerability Analysis: In this domain, professionals learn to identify potential weak points and vulnerabilities in systems that could be exploited in an attack.
  3. Exploitation: This domain delves into the methodologies for leveraging identified vulnerabilities in a system or network to gain unauthorized access or disrupt services.
  4. Post-Exploitation: After a successful exploit, this domain teaches how to use the compromised system to gain deeper access to the network and maintain that access.
  5. Reporting: A vital part of any penetration test, this domain teaches how to effectively document and report findings, including the vulnerabilities discovered, exploitation processes, and recommended remediation steps.
  6. Tools and Technologies: This domain focuses on the mastery of Kali Linux and the various tools within it that are used for penetration testing.

Each of these domains are integrated throughout the OSCP training, ensuring a holistic understanding of the penetration testing process.

In conclusion, the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) course provides an in-depth and comprehensive training in penetration testing, covering critical domains from Information Gathering to the use of Tools and Technologies. It emphasizes the need for creative and persistent thinking, a crucial aspect in the world of cybersecurity. By mastering these domains, professionals gain a holistic understanding of the penetration testing process, preparing them for real-world scenarios. This course is an excellent investment for those looking to enhance their cybersecurity skills, and particularly for those seeking proficiency in Kali Linux and its associated tools.

Summary

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), PenTest+, and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) are all highly respected credentials in the cybersecurity field, but they each have unique focuses and benefits.

The CEH, provided by the EC-Council, is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of hacking techniques and the countermeasures needed to defend against them. It's renowned for providing detailed insights into the mindset and tools of attackers.

On the other hand, the PenTest+, offered by CompTIA, is considered more practical than the CEH. It involves both multiple-choice questions and performance-based tasks, testing both knowledge and the ability to carry out certain tasks. This certification covers a broad range of topics, but the depth of coverage is generally not as deep as other certifications.

The OSCP, offered by Offensive Security, is widely considered the most hands-on and intensive of the three. It requires candidates to exploit a number of machines in a simulated environment, demonstrating a deep understanding and ability to perform penetration testing. It is known for its rigorous, 24-hour examination process.

On the other hand, CompTIA's PenTest+ certification focuses on the practical aspect of penetration testing and vulnerability management. It offers hands-on training and assesses the ability to identify, exploit, report, and manage vulnerabilities on a network. While the CEH and OSCP delve into the "how" of the attack strategies, the PenTest+ provides more emphasis on the "why" and "what can be done" aspects of cyber threats.

As a result, CEH is more suitable for those looking to understand the attacker's perspective deeply and work in roles such as an external security auditor, incident response or risk analyst. The OSCP takes ethical hacking to the next level and is preferred by those seeking employment as military contractors and as senior penetration testing consultants. In contrast, PenTest+ would be more fitting for those aiming to work actively in identifying and managing vulnerabilities, such as internal security testers, or vulnerability assessment analysts.

Hence, the choice between the three certifications largely depends on the individual's career goals and preferred areas of expertise within cybersecurity.

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