Ethical Hacker Online Courses & Certifications

Cyber attacks are growing more frequent and expensive. The 2024 Cost of a Data Breach report from IBM highlights that India's average data breach cost has skyrocketed, reaching INR 195 million. This troubling trend has created a rising demand for ethical hackers who are vital in preventing these costly events. But what exactly is an ethical hacker, and what responsibilities do they have?

Ethical Hacker Course

An ethical hacker, also known as a "White Hat Hacker" or" Penetration Tester," is a professional who simulates cyber attacks on systems, networks, and applications after obtaining permission from the owner. They aim to identify vulnerabilities or security risks that various types of hackers, such as black and grey hats, can exploit for malicious activities. This proactive approach helps organizations strengthen their security and protect against cyber threats.

In India, ethical hacking has become a h

Ethical Hacker Course

In India, ethical hacking has become a highly rewarding profession. According to Ambitionbox, as of 2024, ethical hackers in India earn between INR 8.0 Lakhs and INR 45.0 Lakhs annually, with an average salary of INR 11.0 Lakhs. This competitive pay reflects the critical importance of their role in today's digital landscape.

So, are you ready to join the frontlines of cybersecurity by becoming an ethical hacker? If Yes, then read the piece till the end. We will dive into the world of ethical hackers in detail, explore the rewarding profession, and discuss some of the best ethical hacker courses that you can opt for. Apart from that, we will also list some free ethical hacker courses that you can pursue if you are short on funds.

Ethical Hacker Course Highlights

Particulars	Details
Course Level	Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert
Duration	Beginner Level (< 1 month) Intermediate Level (1 month to 6 months) Expert Level (6 months to 2 years)
Eligibility	Undergraduate courses: 10+2 with math, physics, and chemistry, 50% in 12th grade, may require entrance exam Beginner courses: Bachelor's degree in computer science, IT, or related field, basic programming knowledge Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) courses: CEH training or 2 years cybersecurity experience, official CEH exam
Fees	Certificate Course: INR 12,000–18,000 Diploma: INR 30,000–50,000 Specific Certification (e.g., CEH): INR 10,000–96,710 Undergraduate courses: INR 1,00,000–13,00,000 Post-graduation courses: INR 1,00,000–5,00,000
Top Institutions	Coursera, Udemy, Microsoft, Simplilearn, Cybrary, XLNC
Average Salary	â‚¹11.0 Lakhs per year
Top Recruiters	HSBC, AANG, IBM, Microsoft, Google, Raxis, VikingCloud, Synack, etc.
Job Positions	Ethical Hacker, Penetration Tester, Security Analyst, Security Consultant, Cybersecurity Engineer, Information Security Manager, Vulnerability Assessor, etc.

Who Should Pursue an Ethical Hacker Course?

Ethical hacker courses can also be pursued by:

IT Professionals: Those already working in IT who want to broaden their skill set and specialize in cybersecurity.
Network Engineers: Professionals who design and maintain networks and want to understand better how to protect against potential vulnerabilities.
Cybersecurity Enthusiasts: Individuals passionate about cybersecurity and interested in developing a career in this rapidly growing field.
System Administrators: Admins who want to enhance their knowledge of security measures to protect systems and data more effectively.
Recent Graduates: Students from IT or computer science backgrounds looking to jumpstart their careers in cybersecurity.
Business Owners: Entrepreneurs who want to understand security risks and protect their business from cyber threats.

Overall, anyone looking to enhance their understanding of cybersecurity and protect systems from threats should consider pursuing an Ethical Hacker course.

Why Pursue Online Ethical Hacker Courses?

Candidates prefer to pursue an online certified ethical hacker course rather than going for a traditional or regular course because of various reasons, such as:

Flexibility to learn at your own pace and schedule
Access to up-to-date content reflecting the latest cyber threats and technologies
Cost-effective compared to traditional classroom-based programs
Opportunity to practice in safe, virtual lab environments
Learn from industry experts without geographical limitations
Ability to balance learning with current job or personal commitments
Preparation for industry-recognized certifications
Hands-on experience with current hacking tools and techniques

Minimum Eligibility Criteria for Pursuing Ethical Hacker Course

The minimum eligibility criteria for pursuing an Ethical Hacker course include educational, technical, and language requirements.

Education:

Beginner courses: 10+2 (high school diploma) in any stream
Undergraduate programs: 10+2 with math, physics, and chemistry
Advanced courses: Bachelor's degree in computer science, IT, or a related field

Technical Prerequisites usually include a basic understanding of computer systems and networks, familiarity with at least one operating system (Windows, Linux, or macOS), and basic programming concepts.

Language Proficiency is essential, as most courses are primarily conducted in English.

What Will You Learn in a Certified Ethical Hacker Course?

Your learning will depend on the course type you are opting for. If you opt for beginner-level certified ethical hacker classes (courses), you will learn about networking fundamentals, basic operating system security, etc. In an intermediate-level course, you will learn about penetration testing methodologies, malware analysis, reverse engineering, etc. In an expert-level course, you will learn about advanced exploit development, industrial control systems (ICS) security, etc.

Here's a generalized list of topics that you will learn while pursuing an online ethical hacker course:

Category	Topics
Fundamentals	Cybersecurity basics, Cryptography and Network security and principles, Operating system security, etc.
Ethical Hacking Methodology	Reconnaissance techniques, Scanning and enumeration, Gaining and maintaining access, Covering tracks, etc.
Hacking Tools	Nmap for network discovery, Metasploit for exploitation, Wireshark for packet analysis, John the Ripper for password cracking, etc. (In short, Penetration testing tools)
Vulnerability Assessment	Identifying system weaknesses, Web application vulnerabilities, Network vulnerabilities, Social engineering techniques, etc.
Penetration Testing	Planning and scoping, Execution of attacks, Post-exploitation techniques, Reporting and documentation, etc.
Web Security	SQL injection, Cross-site scripting (XSS), CSRF attacks, API security, etc.
Network Security	Firewalls and IDS/IPS, VPN security, Wireless network hacking, Cloud security, etc.
Mobile Security	Android and iOS vulnerabilities, Mobile app security testing, BYOD security concerns, etc.
Malware Analysis	Types of malware, Reverse engineering techniques, Malware detection and prevention, etc.
Incident Response	Incident handling procedures, Digital forensics basics, Log analysis, Disaster recovery planning, etc.
Legal and Ethical Aspects	Cyber law and regulation, Ethical considerations, Professional conduct, Compliance frameworks (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA), etc.

Top Certified Ethical Hacker Courses

Here are some of the top ethical hacker courses that you can opt from:

Course	Provider
Certified Ethical Hacker 9 (CEH v9)	EC-Council University
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)	Skillsoft
Online Certified Ethical Hacker - Foundation	Optimized Solutions Academy
Online Certified Ethical Hacker - Intermediate	Optimized Solutions Academy
Online Certified Ethical Hacker - Advance + Certification	Optimized Solutions Academy
PG Diploma in Cyber Security & Forensics (PG-DCSF)	CDAC
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH v10) Online Training & Certification Course	Infosec
Kali Linux Essentials For Ethical Hackers - Full Course!	Udemy

Free Ethical Hacker Courses

Here are some of the best ethical hacker courses that are available for free. You can opt for these courses if you are short on funds or just want to get an idea about the filed.

Course	Provider
Ethical Hacking	Swayam
Start Kali Linux, Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing!	Udemy
Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE)	Coursera
Ethical Hacking	Guru99
Introduction to Ethical Hacking	Great Learning
Describe the basic concepts of cybersecurity	Microsoft

Conclusion

Ethical hacking is a productive and lucrative career option. An ethical hacking course will help you land an exciting job that never gets tedious. Pursuing an ethical hacker course in India will equip you with the skill to access the latest tools, techniques, and methodologies, that are used by hackers to lawfully hack any organization.