CEH vs PenTest+: Which Certification is Better for You?

Many organizations do not include ethical hackers in their vulnerability scanning teams or processes. Ethical hacking is used to construct the foundations of the Computer Network Exploitation (CNE) and Computer Network Attack (CNA) Teams in many organizations and government agencies.

Despite their offensive and specialized nature, organizations may not use these teams in a penetration test. The tactical cyber skills are in high demand, requiring years to master.

Ethical hackers are utilized for several job duties in various organizations to supplement networks and methods of connecting tools and protocols. Some are specialists for Intrusion Prevention Teams, SOC II Incident Handlers, Threat Hunters, etc. Pen-testing does include ethical hacking, although it is only a small component. Let's look into the CEH vs Pentest+ differences to learn more about these certifications.  

What is Certified Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking is the practice of accessing one's computer(s) or systems. They have official authority to establish if vulnerabilities exist and implement preventive, corrective, and protective countermeasures before the systems are compromised.

The EC-Certified Council's Ethical Hacker (CEH) accreditation is the best Ethical Hacking course online with a well-respected and well-trusted ethical hacking curriculum. Certified Ethical Hacker has become one of the greatest solutions for industries and enterprises worldwide since its start in 2003.

What is CompTIA PenTest+?

CompTIA PenTest+ is a certification for penetration testers, vulnerability assessors, and managers in the cybersecurity field.

The CompTIA PenTest+ certification focuses on the cybersecurity subdiscipline of penetration testing.

According to CompTIA, PenTest+ covers all components and stages of a professional penetration test, including planning, scoping, and reporting. CompTIA PenTest+ is a cybersecurity certification for intermediate-level professionals that focuses on playmaking ability through penetration tests and vulnerability assessment.

CompTIA PenTest+ certified cybersecurity experts know how to plan, scope, and manage vulnerabilities rather than exploit them.

What are the Similarities Between PenTest+ and CEH?

• When seeking certification in the field of penetration testing, you'll notice that CompTIA's PenTest+ and EC-CEH Council's (Certified Ethical Hacker) certifications are similar in substance and measure pen-testing skills.
• Take a peek at the ethical hacking certifications in IT security. You'll probably note that the PenTest+ and the EC-Certified Council's Ethical Hacker (CEH) certifications are very similar.
• They're also difficult and aimed at people with at least some experience in a dedicated cybersecurity capacity.
• Assuming you're interviewing for a position in penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, or management, you might be asking if one or both of these certificates are worthwhile.
• Similar topics are covered by the CEH and PenTest+ certifications. Both certifications are also vendor-neutral, ANSI-accredited, globally recognized, and well-respected.
• CEH and PenTest+ both renew similarly, and both have a three-year validity period and require ongoing education during that time. The PenTest+ certification, on the other hand, necessitates 60 CEUs, while the CEH necessitates 120.

How Do PenTest+ and CEH Differ?

The Certified Ethical Hacker certification only focuses on penetration testing, but the PenTest+ exam focuses on penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.

Another consideration is that the CEH can last up to four hours and contains 125 questions, whereas the PenTest+ can last up to two hours and 45 minutes and contains up to 85 questions.

Despite their commonalities, the certifications differ in a variety of ways. CEH is an entry-level certification, whereas Pentest+ is an intermediate certification. As illustrated below, typical work functions can vary.

PenTest+ Job Roles	CEH Job Roles
Network & Security Specialist	Ethical Hacker
Application Security Vulnerability	Cybersecurity Auditor
Penetration Tester	Jr Penetration Tester
Vulnerability Tester	Network Security Engineer
Security Analyst (II)	Security Consultant
Network Security Operations	Information Security Manager
Vulnerability Assessment Analyst	SOC Analyst
Cloud Security Specialist	Vulnerability Assessment Analyst

Advantages of CEH & CompTIA PenTest+

CEH

CEH is one of the most thorough ethical hacking programs available and is widely recognized for training security professionals with foundational hacking skills.

When you study for the CEH certification to learn cyber security online, you will learn how to evaluate network infrastructure for individuals and businesses to detect vulnerabilities. This will also aid in evaluating current security systems and identifying threats and vulnerabilities.

You develop the ability to think like a hacker: CEH can assist you in entering a cyber attacker's head and comprehending their thought process. It also enables you to build the abilities and ability to re-enact any threats and respond to them far faster than a layperson.

A better understanding of risks, threats, and vulnerabilities: Threats emerge in tandem with technological advancements. To stay up with changing technology, cybercriminals improve their abilities regularly. They swiftly learn to spot flaws in new technologies and carefully organize their attacks. To understand how hackers see your network and defend against future attacks, you must keep your knowledge and abilities up to date.

Get a payment hike after earning your CEH credential: CEH, as previously indicated, is a globally recognized certification and training program in the IT business. Earning this certificate can open doors to better-paying jobs around the world.

CompTIA PenTest+

CompTIA PenTest is a certification program for IT workers who find, exploit, report, and manage network vulnerabilities. Penetration testing, often known as ethical hacking, is a method of diagnosing and building a more resilient system by identifying vulnerabilities or weaknesses in computer systems.

Pen testers generally use the same attitude, tools, and abilities as malicious hackers; however, ethical hackers operate with authorization – and intend to improve the systems' defenses against attacks. Pen testing certification is vital in IT security since it verifies your vendor-neutral, hands-on skills and abilities.

More Than Technical Skills Are Tested in CompTIA PenTest+: CompTIA PenTest+ is designed to meet the expectations of employers by addressing not just technical topics but also professional skills such as business processes, project flow, and best practices, and professionalism in penetration testing, which the CEH exam does not.

Successful applicants who earn the CompTIA PenTest+ certification have demonstrated that they have the knowledge and skills required to plan and scope an assessment and understand legal and compliance requirements. They can also conduct vulnerability scanning and penetration testing, analyze data and successfully report and communicate results.

Ace advanced security concepts and gain skills to enhance organizational security with our CompTIA Security+ Certification Training program.

CEH versus CompTIA PenTest+ (The Key Differences)

The table below presents a the detailed comparision of CEH vs. CompTIA PenTest+.\

Factor	CEH	PenTest+
Cost	CEH costs $1,299	The cost of PenTest+ is $249
Exam Difficulty	CEH has established simple questions that are more experience-based than theory-based. As a result, many candidates choose CEH even though it is more expensive.	PenTest+ focuses on what a candidate should know about penetration testing rather than how it is applied in a real-world setting. This could make the exam more difficult for those who already work in the sector but lack a lot of theoretical knowledge.
Exam Requirements	CEH certification needs at least two years of expertise in the cybersecurity field. They also recommend passing the Certified Network Defender test before attempting the Certified Ethical Hacker exam.	Before becoming certified for PenTest+, you must have 3-4 years of experience in the cybersecurity area and pass an exam such as Network or Security.
Exam Format	CEH consists of 125 questions to be solved in four hours Only multiple-choice questions are allowed in the CEH	The PenTest+, on the other hand, contains 85 questions and a time limit of two hours and 45 minutes   PenTest+ requires you to complete a few built-in scenarios in addition to the multiple-choice questions
Salary	The accreditation can lead to an exciting, stimulating, and financially rewarding career path for IT workers with the correct mindset   A Certified Ethical Hacker earns an average of $83,591 a year   Salaries range from $45K to $129K, with bonuses ranging from $0.00 to $17,500   As a result, the total salary ranges from $43K to $143K	Working as a pen tester can be financially beneficial since well-trained and skilled individuals usually expect to earn high money.   Employers are willing to spend high dollars to attract and retain top-tier personnel   Depending on where they live and their level of experience and training, most pentesters will be able to earn substantial wages   According to a PayScale compensation survey, the average yearly salary is around $78K, with higher-end salaries ranging from $44K to $124K
Job Role	Some of the "hottest" job titles for a CEH are listed below:   Info Security Manager   Cyber Security Engineer   Penetration Tester   Security Analyst   Security Consultant Job titles like "manager" and "engineer" appear the most lucrative for a CEH.	The PenTest+ certification is significant because of its technical and practical scope, especially for the following roles:   Security Analyst (II)   Vulnerability Assessment Analyst   Penetration Tester   Vulnerability Tester   Network/Cloud/Application Security Specialist
Certification Validity	The CompTIA CEH is valid for three years after passing the exam. Certification holders must complete certain continuing education requirements within that three-year term to renew their certification and keep it from expiring.	The CompTIA PenTest+ is valid for three years after passing the exam. Certification holders must complete certain continuing education requirements within that three-year term to renew their certification and keep it from expiring.
Recertification Process	For CEH certification renewal, there are three basic ECE program requirements. They are the following: 1. 120 ECE Credits Every Three Years: To keep your CEH certification, you must obtain 120 ECE credits every three years. You can earn CEH ECE credits in a variety of ways. We'll go over all of your options and how to complete the ECE requirements for renewing your CEH certification. 2. For each year of the three years, submit 40 ECE credits: Each year, EC-Council wants you to submit your CEH ECE credits. In the CEH renewal procedure, this is crucial. If you wait until the end of the three years and attempt to obtain 120 ECE credits in the final year of the CEH renewal cycle, you will almost certainly fail to renew your CEH certification. To finish your 120 ECE credits and renew your CEH certification, you must acquire ECE credits year after year. 3. Annual Membership in EC-Council: Since 2016, EC-Council has required certified professionals to join the organization on an annual basis. This is also required to maintain CEH accreditation. The annual membership cost is $80, and it is the only way to submit ECE credits earned throughout the CEH renewal procedure.	CompTIA has established PenTest+ certification renewal requirements. You must obtain continuing professional education units to renew your credential (CPE). Depending on your preference, you must also pay a continuing education (CE) charge of $50 per year or $150 for the three years of the PenTest+ certification.

Which is Best?

The CompTIA PenTest+ certification is designed for highly trained security professionals who conduct penetration tests and vulnerability assessments on target systems. This exam also tests management abilities, including planning, scope, management, and exploiting flaws.

Penetration testing can be done in various IT settings, including mobile, cloud, desktops, and servers, by PenTest+ certified professionals.

While protecting the company's security infrastructure from malevolent hackers, they detect prospective entry points for breaches, gaps in systems and organizational structures, and deficiencies in policies and training.

The CEH certification from EC-Council is designed for highly competent security experts who are well-versed in identifying and comprehending the flaws and vulnerabilities in targeted systems.

Professionals who operate as "white-hat hackers" protect company networks and data from ever-evolving Internet threats by employing the same tools and techniques as attackers but in a legal manner. This accreditation may be perfect for you if you already have at least two years of professional experience in the information security field.

CEH for the Win

Although each exam has its advantages and disadvantages; the CEH is a more well-known, regarded, and trustworthy exam than the PenTest+.

While the PenTest+ has several advantages, such as cost, it still has a long way to go before it is considered on par with the CEH.

PenTest+ will be an excellent alternative to the Certified Ethical Hacker certification once it is authorized as a DoD 8570 Baseline Certification and achieves more recognition in the sector.

Take the KnowledgeHut best Ethical Hacking course online to learn how to undertake ethical hacking and penetration testing! Get answers to all of your questions about the material covered in this course from an experienced IT professional. We hope this article on CompTIA Pentest+ vs CEH addresses your queries regarding ethical hacking vs penetration testing as well.