Ethical Hacking Courses After 12th in 2025 [Eligibility & Careers]

It was truly startling when Fire Eye, one of the largest security providers, announced that they had fallen victim to a hack. This incident underscores the immense power wielded by hackers and the pressing demand for ethical hackers to thwart such calamities.

Black hat hackers infiltrate networks with impunity, wreaking havoc as they see fit. Their prowess is formidable, but they can only be countered by one of their own kind. Consequently, certain hacking practices have been legitimized to shield companies from malicious attacks. The demand for ethical hackers is surging, with job openings increasing by an average of 12% monthly, up from the previous 4%.

In this article, I'll delve into the realm of ethical hacking, available ethical hacking courses after 12th examination, and the career prospects in ethical hacking after that. For those already immersed in the ethical hacking field and seeking rapid skill enhancement, I recommend exploring the Certified Ethical Hacking certification course.

What is Ethical Hacking?

Since ethical hacking has gained much popularity, let us understand what hacking is. In simple terms, hacking can be defined as breaking into a system, network, or internet entity to access sensitive data. Hackers keep track of loopholes and weaknesses. For years hacking has been attached to misusing networks, computers, smartphones, or other systems.

The power of hacking can be both used for good or worse. Let's look into the downside of hacking or hackers. They are assumed to be lone rogue programmers who are extremely proficient in damaging or corrupting systems, gathering information on users, stealing data and documents, or disrupting data-related activity.

But is that all to hacking? Is hacking only used for the purpose of mining data and misusing them? Well, the obvious answer is no! That's what ethical hackers are for.

A skilled expert with great technical knowledge who can detect vulnerabilities in networks and systems is known as an ethical hacker. He works with the owner of the system with their consent. They are bound to abide by the company's principles and have to get permission from the top authorities.

Although they are equally skilled, they use it mainly for the security of companies or other organisations in finding out the loopholes in their security system. Let's understand why ethical hacking is different by looking into the different types of hacking and list of ethical hacking courses after 12th along with course duration and fees.

Best Ethical Hacking Courses After 12th

In India, you won't find any specific course on Ethical Hacking but will find an ample number of courses relevant to the same. The list of courses in ethical hacking after 12th is widely classified into three categories, i.e., Bachelor's Degree courses, PG Degree courses, and Certification courses. Let's have a glance at the Ethical Hacking Courses After 12th.

1. Diploma In Computer Science
2. B.Tech. IT & Cyber Security
3. B.Sc. in Networking and Security
4. B.Tech. Cyber Security and Forensic
5. M.Tech. Cyber Laws and Information Security
6. M.Tech. Information Security
7. M.Tech. Computer Science and Information Security
8. M.Tech. CSE (Information Security)
9. CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) course
10. SSCP course
11. OSCP course
12. CISM course
13. CISA course
14. CISSP cours

Ethical Hacking Courses After 12th	Overview	Course Duration	Course Fee (USD)
Diploma in Computer Science	Provides a foundation in computer science principles with a focus on programming and IT essentials.	1-2 years	$2,000 - $5,000
B.Tech. IT & Cyber Security	Integrates core IT concepts with cyber security knowledge and skills for network protection and defense.	4 years	$6,000 - $25,000
B.Sc. in Networking and Security	Focuses on networking technologies and security principles to design, implement, and manage secure networks.	3 years	$3,000 - $6,000
B.Tech. Cyber Security and Forensics	Combines cyber security expertise with digital forensics to investigate cybercrime and recover evidence.	4 years	$5,000 - $25,000
M.Tech. Cyber Laws and Information Security	Advanced program covering legal aspects of cyber security, information security management, and ethical hacking.	2 years	$5,000 - $20,000
M.Tech. Information Security	Specializes in securing information systems, networks, and data from cyber threats.	2 years	$5,000 - $20,000
M.Tech. Computer Science and Information Security	Merges computer science knowledge with information security principles for secure software development and system administration.	2 years	$5,000 - $20,000
M.Tech. CSE (Information Security)	Similar to M.Tech. Computer Science and Information Security, offered by some universities with a focus on computer science engineering.	2 years	$5,000 - $20,000

Apart from these, several online courses are available that can help you learn the basics of ethical hacking. However, in order to learn it by heart and gain a depth knowledge, you have to complete one of the courses mentioned above.
Here are the eligibility criteria for the ethical hacking courses after 12th or 10th:

1. Diploma

Applying for ethical hacking after the 10th will just require you to secure 35 % in 10th from a recognised board. You can also go for a diploma in ethical hacking after 12th, which will be a 2-year program.

2. BTech and engineering

To apply for BTech programs, a candidate must complete their 10+2 examination from the science field with a minimum qualification mark of 50%. However, if you are aiming for reputed institutes, you have to score above 75% in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. After that, you have to clear the cut-off of examinations specifically held for admission into BTech institutes.

3. BSc & BCA 

To apply for BSc courses in India, you must secure 50% in Class XII. However, some reputed colleges ask for a minimum mark of 60%. The pursued stream in higher secondary scroll must be Science with Physics, chemistry, and maths as major subjects. For BSc, you can take up any stream with English and Maths in your 12th standard and qualify with a minimum of 50%. These are also available ethical hacker courses after 12th. Some colleges even allow students who have not taken up maths and English as a compulsory subject.

4. MTech 

To get into MTech courses, one must possess a degree in Btech or B.E from a recognised college. In addition, you have to qualify GATE examination to be eligible for admission. Anyone who has completed a 5-years course in science can apply for this course.

5. MSc and MCA 

For MSc, you must first complete a BSC degree from a government-approved college and secure a minimum 50% mark. The admission for MCA is almost similar. You just have to have an undergraduate degree in BCA.

Career Prospects After Ethical Hacking Courses and Certification

Ethical hacking is a very creative profession as you have to keep yourself in the shoes of the hacker and identify all the potential flaws and loopholes in the computer and try to fix them before the hacker does.

Having ethical hacking as a profession will bring with it several adventures. After all, it is one of the most creative and demanded career paths in 2025. Moreover, due to the increase in the number of cyber-attacks and the growing security concern, several companies are hiring ethical hackers on a priority basis.

The telecommunications industry, hotel industry, financial institutions, internet enterprises, the aviation sector, immigration services, and Government agencies are all searching for Ethical Hackers to safeguard their digital infrastructure.

Ethical hacking is a lucrative career that pays well. You may either operate as a freelancer online or create your own cyber security firm as a salary. According to Glassdoor the average salary for Ethical Hacker in 2024 is $2,17,520 per year in the United States .

After pursuing ethical hacking courses after 12th, you can apply for several job positions that are available in this field. Some of the most common roles of ethical hackers are:

1. Systems auditor 
2. Security analyst 
3. Encryption specialist 
4. Secure programmer 
5. Security manager 
6. Network security specialist 
7. System security architect 
8. Ethical hacker 
9. System administrator 

Although most sectors hire ethical hackers, some of the prime recruiters are:

1. IT firms
2. Government organizations
3. MNCs
4. Tech firms
5. Consultancies

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Role of Ethical Hackers in today’s world

It is important to understand the role for people aspiring to learn ethical hacking after 12th. Cyber guardians' main goal is to defend an organization's data assets against attacks. Ethical hackers take a proactive stance, modeling cyberattacks to improve digital defenses rather than only finding weaknesses. Below is an outline of their primary duties:

1. Digital Protectors: Ethical hackers are like online bodyguards, safeguarding our digital world from bad actors and cyber threats.
2. Security Assessors: This pertains to a thorough examination of security flaws. Identifying the weaknesses without necessarily using them to create a prioritized list for fixing them.
3. Problem Solvers: They're the detectives of the internet, finding and fixing weak spots in computer systems before the bad guys can take advantage.
4. Emergency Responders: When there's a digital emergency, these hackers are like the first responders, rushing in to stop the cyberfires from spreading.
5. Cyber Coaches: They teach businesses and regular folks how to play it safe online, sharing tips to avoid falling into the traps set by cyber crooks.
6. Privacy Guardians: Ethical hackers also work to keep our stuff private, ensuring our data doesn't end up in the wrong hands.
7. Innovators Against Bad Guys: Always staying one step ahead, these hackers are the innovators in the fight against cyber villains, making sure our digital world stays safe and sound.

Top Ethical Hacker Essential Skills

Before you understand how to become an ethical hacker after 12th in India, it is critical to know the essential skills needed. The following list of necessary abilities for an ethical hacker will help you carry out your responsibilities successfully in India, it is critical to know the essential skills needed. The following list of necessary abilities for an ethical hacker will help you carry out your responsibilities successfully:

1. Tech Know-How: Ethical hackers must be tech-savvy and understand how computer systems and networks work like pros.
2. Coding Skills: Knowing how to code, especially in languages like Python or Java, is a big plus. It's like speaking the secret language of computers. You can learn coding skills by joining credible ethical hacking courses after 12th.
3. Cyber Detective Instincts: Ethical hackers are like digital detectives. They have a knack for finding vulnerabilities and potential cyber threats.
4. Problem-Solving Chops: They're not just issue spotters but issue fixers. Ethical hackers know how to solve problems and make things super secure.Problem-Solving Chops: They're not just issue spotters; they're issue fixers. Ethical hackers know how to solve problems and make things super secure.
5. Understanding People: It's not all about computers. Ethical hackers must also understand people's thinking, predicting human behaviors that might lead to cyber trouble.
6. Lifelong Learning Attitude: The tech world is always changing, and ethical hackers must be on top of the latest trends and tricks. The first stage of learning could be pursuing a diploma in ethical hacking after the 12th
7. Communication Skills: Explaining technical stuff in plain English is crucial. Ethical hackers need to talk tech without making everyone's eyes glaze over. Communication Skills: Being able to explain techie stuff in plain English is crucial. Ethical hackers need to talk tech without making everyone's eyes glaze over.

How to Become an Ethical Hacker After 12th?

Now that you have got a bit idea of what ethical hackers are and the different types of ethical hackers, here comes the most important question: how can I become an ethical hacker?

Let's get this straight. If you want to become an ethical hacker, there are several ways to become an ethical hacker, and you may not go for formal training and still be a good hacker. However, a certification from a good institute allows you to learn skills in implied management and is a plus from a career perspective.

1. Higher Education: Well, there are several options after your 10th or 12th completion that can lead you to the path of becoming a professional, ethical hacker. There are mainly three ways you can be a skilled hacker. You can choose a diploma or a B.Tech course in the computer science field.
2. Certification course: If you feel that taking up a computer science degree is not your thing, then you can simply choose an institute that is specialized in providing certified ethical hacking courses or opt for some online training like CEH V12 training online.

Some institutes might directly take you up for ethical hacking advanced courses after 12th. Still, most of the available advanced courses would require you to complete a diploma or BTech degree in a relevant field. Below mentioned are all the courses offered in India that are relevant for you to get the best cyber security certifications and end up acing a perfect career in hacking.

Type of Hackers

Primarily there are two types of hackers, one who violates security and the other who prevents these violations. The practice of ethical hacking is also known as white hat hacking, and the one involved in such practices is known as white hat hackers. Similarly, unethical hacking is also known as black hat hacking, and the person who uses illegal techniques to corrupt the system is known as a black hat hacker.

Apart from these two types, there is a third type of hacking known as Grey Hat hacking. Grey hat hackers do not tend to ask for permission before hacking, but they do not hack a system with wicked intentions. Rather their simple motive is to inform the owner regarding the loopholes in their system. However, Grey hat hacking is also illegal and involves unauthorized system breaches.

The primary categories are summarized as follows:

Type of Hacker	Focus	Engagement	Goal
White Hat Hackers	Law-abiding and ethical	Generally used by companies carrying out approved penetration tests.	Strengthen organizational security, identify weak points, and suggest defense goals. Strengthen organizational security, identify weak points, and suggest defenses are the goals.
Black Hat Hacking	Malicious and Illegal	Act without permission, either alone or in organized groups.	The goal is to cause harm or steal sensitive data by taking advantage of weaknesses for financial or personal benefit.
Grey Hat Hackers	Can’t tell if ethical or illegal	Occasionally looking for compensation but not formally affiliated with groups, they may alert them to a vulnerability.	A combination of curiosity, possible financial benefit, or the excitement of taking on a new challenge.
Script Kiddies	The approach is untrained and frequently utilizes pre-made software.	Lack of in-depth knowledge and dependence on pre-existing hacking tools characterize engagement.	Most thrill-seekers with little experience have a flashy, fast-paced goal in mind.
Hacktivists	They are ideologically motivated.	Try to advance a social or political cause.	Use systems to spread a message or increase awareness of a subject.

Conclusion

To excel in a career in ethical hacking, it's crucial to maintain focus and determination towards your goals. After completing my higher secondary education, I delved into courses for ethical hacking after 12th. As a beginner, I explored both online and offline options. Online platforms like KnowledgeHut's CEH V12 training provided an intensive learning experience right from the comfort of my home. Regardless of tyour learning mode with practice and patience, you can ascend to the ranks of top-level ethical hackers.