The EC-Council, or International Council of E-Commerce Consultants, is an organization that offers globally recognized certifications in fields like cybersecurity, network security, and digital forensics. Their certifications are widely respected and are often required or strongly recommended for jobs in these fields. Here are some of their notable certifications:

  1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): This is a foundation level certification that provides knowledge and skills to protect systems against hacking. The certification course covers various attack technologies, commonly used hacking tools, and ways to counteract unauthorized access to a system. It’s generally the starting point for many in cybersecurity.
  2. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI): This certification provides knowledge and skills to detect hacking attacks, gather evidence to prosecute a cyber criminal, and conduct analysis to prevent future attacks.
  3. EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA): This certification goes beyond CEH, offering advanced ethical hacking and penetration testing skills. It uses real-time scenarios to validate candidate’s analytical abilities to conduct thorough penetration testing.
  4. Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT): This is a master-level certification for those who want to demonstrate their penetration testing and vulnerability assessment capabilities.
  5. Certified Network Defender (CND): This is a vendor-neutral, hands-on, instructor-led comprehensive network security certification training program.
  6. Certified Incident Handler (ECIH): This certification aims to provide the fundamental skills to handle and respond to computer security incidents in an information system.

Roadmap:

  1. Start with the CEH if you’re new to cybersecurity. It will give you a broad understanding of the basics and prepare you for more advanced certifications.
  2. After the CEH, consider the CHFI to learn about digital forensics, or the ECSA to learn more about penetration testing.
  3. If you want to go more advanced, consider the LPT.
  4. If you are more interested in network security, the CND is a good option.
  5. If incident handling and response is your interest, consider the ECIH certification.

Why do you need these certifications?

These certifications validate your knowledge and skills in the cybersecurity domain. They can enhance your credibility, open doors to new job opportunities, and potentially increase your salary. They also ensure that you’re up-to-date with the latest knowledge and skills in the rapidly changing field of cybersecurity.

What is the benefit?

  1. Industry Recognition: EC-Council Certifications are recognized and respected across the industry. They can make your resume more appealing to potential employers.
  2. Skill Enhancement: These certifications provide practical skills needed to secure networks and manage security incidents. They go beyond theoretical knowledge, giving you real-world skills that you can apply in a job.
  3. Career Advancement: Many jobs in cybersecurity require or prefer candidates with these certifications. They can help you move into a higher-level role, or switch into the cybersecurity field if you’re coming from a different area of IT.
  4. Higher Pay: With cybersecurity being a high-demand field, having these certifications could potentially lead to higher pay.

Remember, certifications are an investment in your career. They require time and often money, but can pay off in the form of increased job opportunities and higher salary.