CEH vs CISSP : Which is Perfect for You?

Want to establish a career in IT (Information Technology) security? But need to know which certification suits you. Initially, you can start with at least one of the certifications which will meet your industry or job requirements. How far you want to go to achieve your dream career depends on the current qualification, status, and commitment of your employment. These factors will influence the certifications you need to choose.

Cybersecurity specialists are in high demand. And more than half of the under-30 employees have been moving towards the IT sector in recent years.  

As per data collected from EC Council, after obtaining a CEH certification, 97% rated that the topics are related to real-world threats, 63% reported promotions or a direct salary rise, and 95% outlined the enhancement in organisational security.  

(ISC)² the administering body of CISSP certification reported that 2021 was a record-breaking year with 35,611 exams delivered (25% of growth from 2020).   

In this blog, we will discuss the two certifications, CEH vs CISSP, in detail. 

Table of Contents

1) What is CEH Certification? 

2) What is CISSP Certification? 

3) Advantages of CEH vs CISSP 

4) Prerequisites of CEH vs CISSP 

5) Cost of CEH vs CISSP 

6) Average Salary for CEH vs CISSP 

7) CEH vs. CISSP Difficulty Level in Exam 

8) Conclusion 

What is CEH Certification? 

The CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) is a professional designation for someone qualified to carry out cybersecurity testing for companies. The CEH certification is issued by EC-Council, validating the professional's knowledge and assessment capabilities by looking for weaknesses and vulnerabilities in computer systems.  

An Ethical Hacker, as the term implies, is a computer security expert hired by a corporation and permitted to access the company's computer systems to look for security issues. Generally, the Hacker follows the attackers' possible steps and thought processes to attain authorised access identifying the flaws and suggesting countermeasures to the loopholes in the organisation's network.  

These experts are skilled and take corrective and preventive steps after identifying the faults to safeguard the system from similar attacks by hackers with evil intentions.  

The need for ethical hackers is greater due to the rise in cybercrime and cyberattacks. Professionals with a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) designation can employ cybercrime methods (hackers). The CEH training is loaded with 3,500 hacking tools and a variety of operating systems. 

Following is a list of CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) related jobs. 

1) Information Security Analyst 

2) Software Engineer  

3) Cyber Security Analyst 

4) Security Engineer  

5) IT (Information Technology) Manager 

6) Security Analyst 

7) Senior Software Engineer  

8) IT (Information Technology) Director 

9) Cyber Security Engineer  

10) Penetration Tester 
 

What is CISSP Certification? 

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a cybersecurity credential developed by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)².   

It is a widely accepted, vendor-neutral standard that certifies an IT security professional's technical expertise and hands-on security programme management experience.   

(ISC)² a global non-profit organisation that administers the CISSP exam and provides the certification with over 168,000 members and associates. It holds a collective worth of CISSP certifications that extends far beyond the numerical count. The CISSP certification has been one of the most sought-after security credentials in the market since its debut in 1994.   

2021 was a record-breaking year with 35,611 exams delivered, up 25% from 2020. Growth in exams delivered is a strong indicator of health for the organisation and demand for the credentials our members have earned.  

Most IT Security employers prefer candidates with CISSP certification because it creates a benchmark of excellence for Information Security professionals worldwide. Professionals aiming to stay updated with evolving cybersecurity trends should recognise the significance of CISSP Renewal for continued expertise.

Here is a list of a few jobs for which the CISSP may be the perfect fit. 

1) Chief Information Security Officer 

2) Information Security Manager 

3) Cyber Security Manager 

4) Security Manager 

5) Information Security Officer 

5) Information Security Specialist 

7) Cyber Security Analyst 

8) Network/Security Architect 

Advantages of CEH vs CISSP

Below is the list of advantages of CEH vs CISSP discussed for a fair understanding and comparison. 

Advantages of CEH 

1) You embrace a Hackers Talent 

You can better comprehend a black-hat hacker's mindset by earning the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification. You will also learn about hacking vectors, ethical hacking tactics, and how to fortify the security system. 

2) Maximises Earnings 

Having this credential could provide you access to higher-paying employment across the world. An expert who has received CEH certification annually earns an average salary of $82,966 in the US and £46,500 in the UK. 

In future, information security specialists will be among the most in-demand careers in the IT/IS security sector. 

3) Trains you to Combat Risks and Dangers related to Information Technology  

There is a vast possibility of risks accompanying a new product when modern technologies emerge. And cybercriminals track these flaws instantly and plan their attacks carefully.  

And to keep up with these evildoers, you need to think one step ahead and act cautiously to prevent fraud. The training provided in CEH certification has adapted to keep up with the latest trends and measures. 

4) Multiple Career Options  

With the knowledge of network security fundamentals, you can apply for CEH certification. Obtaining the certification can provide you with a whole new range of options in your career.  

While you already work in the IT security sector, acquiring a CEH certification is bound to advance your career. 

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Advantages of CISSP

1) Increased Earnings  

Obtaining a certification proves your dedication, code of ethics and skills to tackle cybersecurity issues. The recruiters admire and regard this CISSP certification, thus yielding better income. 

2) Grow as a Frontline Cybersecurity Professional  

The CISSP certification proves to the industry and peers that you are an expert with the skills and standards trained to manage and secure an organisation's cybersecurity.  

The following CISSP concentrations permit you to progress in your career further.  

CISSP-ISSMP for Management  

CISSP-ISSEP for Engineers  

CISSP-ISSAP for Architects   

3) Gaining Professional Objectives

As there is a huge workforce gap, the demand for CISSP professionals outnumbers the supply. Thus, the best time to achieve a CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) certification with (ISC)². 

4) Opportunity to Join the World's Biggest Club of Cybersecurity Experts

Once you pass the CISSP exam and obtain the Certification, you become a member of the world's most renowned non-profit cybersecurity organisation, the (ISC)².  

The PDI (Professional Development Institute) also offers to continue professional development courses through International Summits & Technical Webinars held worldwide. You can discuss the emerging cybersecurity trends in the virtual platform and upskill yourself with all the related knowledge. 
 

 

Prerequisites of CEH vs CISSP

The prerequisite for both CEH and CISSP is mentioned in the table below.

Prerequisites of CEH 
 

Prerequisites of CEH	Prerequisites of CISSP
A minimum of two years or more in a position related to IT security is the initial requirement for admission to CEH training.	You can be qualified for a one-year waiver or cancellation of the professional experience requirement if you satisfy at least one of the following requirements.
Any candidate at least 18 years old is only permitted to participate in the training or take the exam.	a) The basic requirements for CISSP certification are  b) Degree from a four-year university.   c) Degree with honours from the National Center for Academic Excellence in Information Security.  d) You qualify for the list recognised by (ISC)², such as Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), CompTIA Security+, or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).  e) Must provide proof of at least five years of experience working in information security to take the CISSP Exam.  f) Your CBK (Common Body of Knowledge) experience must cover at least two of the eight (ISC)² CISSP security domains. This can help you navigate through CISSP domains
The CEH course will guide the student through 27 different attack methods and 18 modules that all simulate real-world hacking scenarios.
The CEH exam, which has 125 multiple-choice questions and a four-hour time limit, is given at the end of the course.
Although the income may seem lower, many experts believe that CEH certification leads to a more inspiring and fascinating job.
Once you clear CEH and obtain the CEH credential, you can apply for CEH (Practical) exam. This exam imitates the corporate network scenarios with 20 questions having a limited time duration of 6 hours. The expected pass score for CEH (Practical) is 70%. CEH (Practical) is a rigorous exam. But acquiring this certification will help you stand out of the crowd.
It is up to you to choose the best course of action.	From the five-year professional experience requirement, you are eligible only for a one-year remission. Irrespective of any number of categories from the above, you fall under (for example, a college degree plus MCSE/CISA).

 

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Cost of CEH vs CISSP 

You can clearly see the cost differences between the CEH vs CISSP 
 

Cost of CEH	Cost of CISSP
The application cost for the CEH exam is $100 or £87.	Based on where you apply from, the CISSP Exam fee varies from one country to the other.
The CEH exam fee is $1199 or £1035.	The current CISSP charge is £668, as opposed to the previously paid price of £624 + taxes.
The CEH Remote Proctoring will cost you about $100 or £87.	Regardless of the country you apply to, the current CISSP exam costs £668 or $749 for America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, according to the revised pricing in 2022.
The average CEH cost with EC-Council-approved training will cost you around £1855 - £3710.	The revised price for the CISSP Examination in the United Kingdom as of November 2022 is £585 + VAT.
The average self-paced CEH training cost will cost you around £1467 - £1767 in total.	The other cost schedules consist of  a) Exam rescheduling fee: £35 or $50  b) Exam Postponement Fee: £70 or $100
The candidates are qualified to take the exam if they qualify for either of the requirements.   a) After completing an official EC-Council training from their centre or a recognised academic institution.   b) After accumulating two years of (IT security) work experience, you are eligible for the application process.	You can sign up for the CISSP Exam at regional franchise locations or (ISC)² Authorised Pearson VUE Testing Centers.

 

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Average Salary for CEH vs CISSP 

The Annual Average Salary for CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), according to PayScale, is $82,966 in the US and £46,500 in the UK. In comparison, professionals holding CISM vs CISSP certifications often command varying salary ranges based on their expertise and geographical location.

CEH Salary Analysis 

The following table compares the Average Salary for CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) related jobs region-wise and job-wise. 
 

CEH Related Job Roles	Average Salary for UK & US
	United Kingdom	United States
IT Manager	£27,000 - £66,000	$56,000 - $134,000
Cyber Security Analyst	£22,000 - £55,000	$54,000 - $116,000
Information Security Analyst	£22,000 - £50,000	$52,000 - $113,000
Software Engineer	£26,000 - £63,000	$64,000 - $130,000
Security Engineer	£20,000 - £72,000	$65,000 - $140,000
Security Analyst	£23,000 - £45,000	$50,000 - $99,000
Senior Software Engineer	£39,000 - £83,000	$89,000 - $161,000
IT Director	£52,000 - £120,000	$71,000 - $176,000
Cyber Security Engineer	£24,000 - £79,000	$68,000 - $139,000
Penetration Tester	£24,000 - £59,000	$58,000 - $132,000
Information Security Manager	£35,000 - £79,000	$80,000 - $$155,000
Security Architect	£43,000 - £89,000	$88,000 - $175,000

CISSP Salary Analysis 

Globally, the estimated median salary for CISSPs (Certified Information Systems Security Professionals) ranges from £80,901 to £107,844. The average median Salary of CISSP ranges from one country to the other. 

Here are a few CISSP-related job roles and their estimated annual salary according to PayScale. 
 

CEH Related Job Roles	Est. Annual Salary Location-wise
	UK (in GBP)	US (in USD)
Chief Information Security Officer	£98,847	$172,912
Information Security Manager	£51,817	$120,251
Cyber Security Manager	£65,680	$133,565
Cyber Security Analyst	£31,856	$77,311
Security Manager	£40,149	$72,904
Information Security Officer	£43,864	$95,736
Information Security Specialist	£49,709	$75,930

CEH vs. CISSP Difficulty Level in Exam

Since IT security is one of the most in-demand jobs in the software industry, people are flocking in and are eager to start working in related positions. Considering this, what qualifications will help you get a job in this sector?  

The top online courses in ethical hacking can guide you on how to understand several systems and how to look for flaws or vulnerabilities that could lead to successful hacking. 
 

CEH	CISSP
People with prior IT experience are the ideal candidates for the CEH certification.	CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) is a widely recognised certification for IT workers.
Perfect for people who want to improve their cybersecurity skills and knowledge.	An excellent option for those who wish to work internationally while being alert about hacking.
Technical expertise is not necessary, although having some background is never a bad idea.	You must provide at least five years of full-time work experience before you choose the CISSP certification.
The CEH exam fee is not that high when compared to CISSP certification.	Due to its high quality and high demand, the CISSP certification might be expensive for you to pay if you lack financial backing from your current employer.

While considering their difficulty level, the CISSP is unquestionably tougher than the CEH exam. Even though you can accomplish the CISSP training in as short as six days, you must have at least five years of work experience before applying for the exam. 

Conclusion 

The demand for cybersecurity professionals is rapidly expanding in the IT/IS industry, giving rise to multiple job opportunities creating growth potential and good salaries. Browsing through this CEH vs CISSP blog before choosing a certification can give you great insight into the requisite details of CEH or CISSP.  

Finally, consider your background & your financial condition before you choose a certification that fits your goals and expertise based on where you want to advance your IT skills.