The CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) certification is a professional cybersecurity certification awarded by the internationally renowned EC-Council (EC-Council International). The latest version of the exam, v13, known as CEH AI, incorporates advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology and AI techniques in cybersecurity. It verifies the holder's skills in identifying, assessing, penetrating, and defending network systems.

1. Certified Ethical Hacker certification details

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) certification training covers common tools, techniques, and methods used by hackers, and teaches how to conduct security testing on target systems in a legal and compliant manner. CEH-certified professionals are recognized for their ability to identify system vulnerabilities from an attacker's perspective, helping organizations proactively identify security risks and strengthen their defenses. CEH certification is a prestigious qualification for those entering the cybersecurity industry, particularly those engaged in penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and security audits.

2. Benefits of CEH certification for career

Ethical hacker salaries vary and often depend on your knowledge and understanding of cybersecurity, computer programming, and computer networks. Certification and experience can quickly boost your ethical hacker salary. If you're looking to earn this certification as a side hustle, you only need to take on one or two projects per month to recoup the cost of the certification.

Earning the CEH certification opens up a range of career paths and roles for a career in cybersecurity. Here are some worth considering positions, along with their average base salaries in the US according to Glassdoor (January 2025):

• Computer Forensic Analyst: $80,199
• Cryptanalyst: $113,844
• Cybersecurity Analyst: $95,324
• Penetration Tester: $112,384
• Cybersecurity Consultant: $132,229
• Security Engineer: $137,144

3. What side jobs can start after obtaining CEH certification?

If you have a CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) certification, you have demonstrated your expertise and skills in cybersecurity, which is very valuable in today's increasingly demanding cybersecurity environment. If you're looking to start a side hustle to earn extra income, you might consider the following:

• Bug Bounty Hunter: This role rewards individuals for discovering and reporting security vulnerabilities within a company or platform. This role offers flexible hours, pay-per-result, and unlimited income.
• Cybersecurity Consultants: Work part-time to provide security assessments, security hardening advice, and training services to small and medium-sized enterprises and startups. Salaries are billed on an hourly or project basis, with single projects earning anywhere from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
• Penetration Testing Services: This position requires providing legally authorized penetration testing services, simulating attacks to identify system vulnerabilities. Salary varies based on actual circumstances.
• Training Instructor/Online Course Developer: This role focuses on teaching cybersecurity knowledge, such as CEH exam preparation and penetration testing practices. Earn ongoing income from recording a single online course; also offers 1v1 private tutoring.

Case Study: Programmer Transformed into Part-time Penetration Tester

Li, 30, originally a web developer, taught himself cybersecurity in his spare time and earned the CEH certification. He initially took on security audits for small websites through Fiverr and Upwork. Later, he joined the Bugcrowd platform and began participating in bug bounty programs.

After six months of accumulation, he leveraged his CEH certification to earn a monthly side income of 3,000 to 5,000 yuan, with some bug bounties reaching several hundred dollars. His income primarily comes from bug bounty bonuses and penetration testing services for small and medium-sized enterprises (billed on a per-project basis).

He shared, "The CEH helped me build a systematic knowledge base in cybersecurity. Having the certification has given clients greater trust, especially outsourcing clients who prefer to hire certified professionals."

4. How to prepare for CEH exam

This certification can be obtained through official training or self-study, but we recommend studying for the exam using official training and the SPOTO exam bank.

Specifically, you must first register for and complete EC-Council's officially authorized training (online or in-person). This will grant you exam eligibility without submitting a separate application. The training lasts approximately 40 hours and includes both theoretical and practical content. However, if you're currently employed and don't have the time, using an exam provider like SPOTO is a good option.

Of course, if you choose to study on your own and apply for the exam eligibility, you must possess at least two years of relevant cybersecurity experience. You will then need to submit an exam eligibility application form and pay a $100 review fee.

Case Study: From zero foundation to successfully passing the certification exam

Jane, a 27-year-old network administrator working for a small or medium-sized enterprise, was familiar with network basics but had no real-world security experience.

Due to career demands, she wanted to obtain the CEH certification as a way to prepare for a job change or a side job. However, as she was currently employed, she didn't have much time for systematic study and wanted to pass the exam quickly. She also wanted to rely on a question bank to improve her pass rate.

She then learned about SPOTO's CEH certification question bank and began using it. Her approach: She signed up for SPOTO's CEH v12 complete package (including question bank, videos, and practice exams), and used the institution's internal "high-frequency question bank" (rumored to have a success rate of over 80%). Using the SPOTO question bank, she successfully passed her CEH certification.

5. Summarize

In today's digital and networked world, the CEH certification is increasingly important for professionals. Whether you're looking to enhance your career or earn additional income from a side hustle, the CEH certification is a great choice. Of course, we recommend using exam preparation resources like the SPOTO Question Bank to maximize your efficiency.