As technology continuously changes and evolves, so too must the many professionals in the IT industry. This is especially important in cybersecurity because cyber attacks have become increasingly sophisticated and devastating in recent years. Hence, those looking to establish a career in IT security need a solid foundation to enter and succeed in this high-demand sector, starting with CEH training or CISSP certification. Since your time, energy, and money are finite commodities, investing in the right certification that aligns with your career goals and professional experience is essential. Read on as we compare these two certifications to help you better decide which to take first.
What is a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification?
The CEH certification is a widely recognised credential issued by the EC-Council which validates a professional’s qualifications to conduct cybersecurity testing for companies and organisations. As implied in the name, ethical hackers are IT security professionals hired by firms that consent to break into their enterprise systems to root out any vulnerabilities.
Ethical hackers put themselves in the shoes of real threat actors, following their thought processes and possible steps to gain unauthorised access. They list the flaws and weaknesses they find and suggest how best to address these gaps in the business’s cybersecurity defences.
Demand for ethical hackers has never been greater because of the recent rise in cyberattacks, which is expected to further intensify over the years. With their aid, organisations can become a step ahead of the real threat since they can glean into how their adversaries operate.
What is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification?
The globally-recognised CISSP certification was introduced by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (otherwise known as (ISC)²) in 1994. Although there might be many myths surrounding the CISSP certification, it has become the most sought-after cybersecurity credential in the IT industry. It is essentially a vendor-neutral standard that certifies a professional’s practical experience and technical expertise in security programme management. Nowadays, many IT security employers list CISSP as a desired certification since it is a benchmark of excellence for IT security professionals worldwide.
Differences between CEH and CISSP
Requirements
Those interested in the CEH certification must first have at least 2 years of cybersecurity experience. That said, this prerequisite only applies to professionals intending to take the exam without completing any prior formal training.
Meanwhile, eligibility for a CISSP certification includes at least 5 years of paid work experience in two of the eight domains of the (ISC)² CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) domains. Reducing the needed years of experience is possible by choosing the CISSP Experiencing Waiver.
Overall, CEH is the better choice for professionals just starting in information security. That said, it is also possible to register for the CISSP exam and complete the necessary (ISC)² requirements within a specified number of years after passing.
Certification fees
The CEH exam costs $100 to obtain the certification, making it ideal for those working with a limited budget for the time being. In comparison, the CISSP is far costlier with its price of $699 and thus requires a more considerable monetary investment.
Career advancement opportunities
Nowadays, information security employers highly prefer professionals with CEH or CISSP credentials to help boost their security posture. Even so, a CISSP certification opens up far more job opportunities than CEH.
CEH’s requirement of two years of experience in one domain typically means positions that are more on the technical side, such as security consultant, security analyst, penetration tester, network security operator, and so on. Meanwhile, employment opportunities requiring CISSP cover the entire cybersecurity spectrum ranging from supporting roles to more direct ones, including security system architects, security directors, chief information security officers, and more.
Overall, IT professionals looking to advance their careers in information security will benefit greatly from taking the CISSP.
Short vs Long-Term IT career objectives
Ideally, the longevity of your vision should be the key determiner of the worth of your chosen job path. Start by asking yourself, “Where do you see yourself career-wise in five or ten years?” Do also consider your short and long-term objectives in this field, as some people only concern themselves with the former and neglect the latter.
In contrast, more ambitious IT professionals seek to leverage these certifications to qualify for new career prospects or perhaps start their own businesses. Ultimately, your decision between getting a CEH or CISSP certification should depend on your short- and long-term goals and personal motivation for pursuing this type of training and education in the first place.
Conclusion
Certifications are essential when pursuing a career in cyber security, and the CEH and CISSP are two of the most desired professional certifications today. The two courses cater to different levels of professionals, with the CEH offering core-level training, whereas the CISSP is a more advanced course. Regardless, both are proven to be worthwhile for those just starting their cybersecurity career and veteran professionals looking to polish their skills. That said, if you want the one considered the Gold standard in the cybersecurity industry, go no further than the CISSP.
Get started on your certifications at BridgingMinds today, where we offer both SF – Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and SF – Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) courses that can help you get your dream job in the cybersecurity sector. Apart from professional cybersecurity programmes, we also provide many other courses covering CompTIA security, project management, cloud technology, and more. Contact us today to get started!
