Ethical Hacking Courses help individuals gain the skills needed to protect systems by thinking like a hacker. These courses cover areas such as penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and security auditing. Below are some of the best ethical hacking courses and certifications available:
Top Ethical Hacking Courses
1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) by EC-Council
- Overview: One of the most recognized certifications globally for ethical hackers. It covers topics like penetration testing, footprinting, malware threats, and cryptography.
- Mode: Online self-paced or instructor-led
- Duration: 5 days (instructor-led) / Self-paced varies
- Cost: Around $1,200 – $1,800
- Suitable for: Beginners and mid-level IT professionals
- More Info: CEH Website
2. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
- Overview: Known for its hands-on approach, this course requires students to attack and defend real-world systems in a lab environment.
- Topics Covered: Penetration testing, privilege escalation, and exploit development.
- Mode: Online self-paced
- Duration: 30, 60, or 90 days of lab access
- Cost: Starts from $1,499 (including certification attempt)
- Suitable for: Intermediate to advanced learners
3. Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch by Udemy
- Overview: A popular beginner-friendly course offering hands-on practice with tools and techniques hackers use.
- Topics: Network hacking, web app attacks, and post-exploitation techniques.
- Mode: Online self-paced
- Duration: 14-15 hours
- Cost: $20 – $100 (varies with discounts)
- Suitable for: Beginners
4. Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking by Cybrary
- Overview: A free course that focuses on penetration testing fundamentals. A good starting point before advancing to more specialized certifications.
- Topics Covered: Network security, scanning, exploitation, and reporting.
- Mode: Online self-paced
- Duration: 10+ hours
- Cost: Free (optional upgrades available)
- Suitable for: Beginners and IT professionals
5. Practical Ethical Hacking by TCM Security
- Overview: This course offers a blend of theory and hands-on labs, teaching students how to secure networks through real-world scenarios.
- Topics Covered: Active directory exploitation, Linux and Windows hacking, and web security.
- Mode: Online self-paced
- Duration: 24+ hours
- Cost: Around $30 – $50
- Suitable for: Beginners to intermediate learners
6. IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate (Coursera)
- Overview: A comprehensive course covering cybersecurity fundamentals, including ethical hacking concepts.
- Topics: Network security, incident response, and vulnerability management.
- Mode: Online self-paced
- Duration: 8 months (at 10 hours/week)
- Cost: Subscription-based (~$49/month)
- Suitable for: Beginners looking to explore ethical hacking within broader cybersecurity contexts
7. Google Cybersecurity Certificate (Google and Coursera)
- Overview: While not exclusively focused on ethical hacking, this certificate includes network security and incident management topics, helping learners build foundational cybersecurity skills.
- Mode: Online self-paced
- Duration: 6 months (at 10 hours/week)
- Cost: ~$49/month
- Suitable for: Beginners seeking a well-rounded introduction to cybersecurity
8. Hacker101 by HackerOne
- Overview: A free platform offering resources for learning web hacking and penetration testing. It also includes practical challenges.
- Mode: Online self-paced
- Cost: Free
- Suitable for: Beginners interested in bug bounties and web application security
How to Choose the Right Course
Consider the following factors:
- Skill Level: Beginners can start with Udemy or Cybrary, while advanced learners may opt for OSCP or CEH.
- Hands-on Practice: Courses like OSCP or Practical Ethical Hacking provide real-world labs.
- Certification Goals: If you’re looking for industry recognition, CEH or OSCP is ideal.
- Budget: Explore free courses like Cybrary or Hacker101 if you’re just getting started.
Conclusion
Ethical hacking courses help you develop essential skills to protect systems proactively. Whether you’re a beginner looking to explore cybersecurity or a professional aiming for advanced certifications, there are options tailored to your goals.
