In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, ethical hackers are the unsung heroes who fight to protect organizations from malicious cyber threats. They do this by thinking like hackers—without the malicious intent. If you're passionate about cybersecurity and want to play a crucial role in safeguarding digital infrastructure, becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) could be the perfect career path.
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, offered by EC-Council, is recognized globally as one of the most prestigious credentials for ethical hackers. Version 13 of CEH (CEH V13) brings exciting new updates, tools, and methodologies, equipping aspiring cybersecurity professionals with cutting-edge skills. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the roadmap to becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker and why CEH V13 is the perfect step to kick-start your cybersecurity career.
Step 1: Understand What Ethical Hacking Is
Before embarking on your journey to becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker, it’s important to understand the role you’ll play. Ethical hackers, or penetration testers, are hired by organizations to identify and fix vulnerabilities in their networks, systems, and applications before malicious hackers can exploit them. They use the same tools and techniques as black-hat hackers but with legal authorization and an ethical purpose.
Becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker means learning how to think like a hacker, using advanced tools and techniques to perform penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to strengthen cybersecurity.
Step 2: Gain a Basic Understanding of Cybersecurity
While ethical hacking is an advanced specialization, you need a solid foundation in cybersecurity principles to succeed. Begin by learning the basics of networking, security protocols, operating systems, and risk management. Familiarity with concepts like firewalls, VPNs, encryption, and network protocols is essential.
Having a background in networking or IT can make your journey easier, but it’s not a requirement. Many aspiring ethical hackers come from diverse backgrounds, including programming, computer science, and even non-technical fields. It’s more about your passion for solving problems and securing systems than your prior experience.
Step 3: Enroll in a CERTIFIED ETHICAL HACKER V13 Course In Kolkata
One of the most effective ways to gain the skills needed to become an ethical hacker is to enroll in a structured training program. A Certified Ethical Hacker V13 course in Kolkata offers comprehensive, hands-on training that covers all aspects of ethical hacking. From penetration testing and network security to vulnerability assessment and threat intelligence, the CEH V13 course is designed to teach you everything you need to know to pass the certification exam and become a proficient ethical hacker.
This course provides practical exposure to various ethical hacking tools and techniques, including:
Network mapping and reconnaissance
Scanning for vulnerabilities and misconfigurations
Exploiting vulnerabilities (ethically, of course)
Performing web application security testing
Conducting wireless network attacks
Understanding social engineering tactics and more
Training through a reputed institution ensures you’re learning from experienced instructors who have a deep understanding of ethical hacking and the latest trends in cybersecurity.
Step 4: Master the Tools and Techniques
The core of ethical hacking lies in mastering a wide array of tools and techniques to test systems for vulnerabilities. The CEH V13 course will introduce you to a range of tools used by ethical hackers:
Metasploit: For penetration testing and exploit development.
Wireshark: For packet analysis and network traffic inspection.
Nmap: For network scanning and enumeration.
Burp Suite: For testing web applications.
John the Ripper: For password cracking.
Kali Linux: The go-to operating system for ethical hackers, equipped with numerous penetration testing tools.
Understanding how to use these tools effectively is essential for identifying weaknesses in systems and successfully conducting ethical hacking operations.
Step 5: Hands-On Practice
Theory alone won’t prepare you to become an effective ethical hacker. It’s vital to gain hands-on experience by practicing in a safe, legal environment. Ethical hacking labs, Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges, and virtual environments like Hack The Box and TryHackMe allow you to hone your skills in real-world scenarios.
By actively participating in practical exercises, you'll become more comfortable with penetration testing methodologies, understand the nuances of exploiting vulnerabilities, and learn to think creatively when facing new challenges.
Step 6: Get Certified
Once you’ve completed the ethical hacking course and gained practical experience, it’s time to take the certification exam. The CEH V13 exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions covering a wide range of ethical hacking topics, including network security, web application testing, and vulnerability analysis.
The exam is a rigorous test of your knowledge and skills. To pass, you’ll need to demonstrate a strong understanding of ethical hacking techniques and how to apply them to real-world cybersecurity scenarios. After passing the exam, you’ll earn your CEH V13 certification, validating your skills and making you a certified ethical hacker in the eyes of employers.
Step 7: Keep Up with Industry Trends
Cybersecurity is a fast-paced industry with new threats emerging regularly. To stay ahead, it’s important to keep learning and evolving with the latest cybersecurity trends and ethical hacking tools. Follow blogs, attend conferences, join online forums, and participate in hacking challenges to keep your skills sharp.
Additionally, consider pursuing further certifications such as:
Certified Penetration Tester (CPT) for advanced penetration testing skills.
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) for hands-on experience and expertise.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) for a more holistic view of cybersecurity.
Step 8: Land Your First Job
With your CEH V13 certification in hand, you’ll be ready to start applying for jobs in cybersecurity. As an ethical hacker, you could work as a penetration tester, security consultant, or vulnerability analyst. Many organizations are hiring ethical hackers to safeguard their networks, applications, and data from cyber threats.
Look for job opportunities with government agencies, tech companies, cybersecurity firms, and even large corporations with dedicated IT departments. As ethical hacking continues to grow in importance, the demand for skilled professionals is only set to increase.