CompTIA Security+ vs CEH: Which One Should You Choose?

The cybersecurity job market experiences accelerating growth as digital technology expands in today's modern world. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analyst jobs will experience a projected 33% increase from 2023 to 2033, exceeding the typical growth rates for all occupations. Thus, organizations must invest in robust cybersecurity solutions because cyber threats continue to advance in sophistication.

Individuals wishing to begin or progress in their cybersecurity careers must earn proper certifications. In this context, the two major industry standards are Security+ certification by CompTIA and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certifications. These two credentials follow separate paths to serve different roles in the cybersecurity profession.

This blog examines the detailed features of CompTIA Security+ and CEH certifications by studying their main goals and career prospects available to certificate holders. So let's get started!

 

What is CompTIA Security+ Certification?

The CompTIA Security+ certification functions as an essential qualification that provides professionals with fundamental abilities to tackle modern cyber threats in the cybersecurity field. This vendor-neutral certification holds global recognition because it demonstrates expertise in network security, risk management, and cryptography, preparing professionals to protect their information systems.

As per the CompTIA report, the CompTIA Security+ certification maintains great importance because it has been obtained by more than 700,000 IT professionals who represent 24% of the U.S. cybersecurity workforce. Its extensive use reveals how this certification helps build strong information security infrastructure.

Further, CompTIA Security+ certification is versatile and applicable to the healthcare, finance, government, and technology sectors, demonstrating its fundamental role in modern interconnected industries. The accreditation provides beginners an entry point into complex cybersecurity professions. On the other hand, experienced professionals who want to maintain their leadership positions in cybersecurity also choose this certification to strengthen their foundational knowledge. 

 

What is CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) Certification?

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification represents a fundamental security credential that enables experts to develop their offensive security expertise. Through EC-Council administration, CEH provides training that allows professionals to perform like criminal hackers while using their knowledge to locate and fix security weaknesses in organizational systems. 

The CEH curriculum extends across 20 comprehensive modules that teach more than 550 attack techniques to give professionals capabilities against multiple cyber threats. Learners receive thorough training through practical lab experiences and realistic hacking scenarios to learn about all ethical hacking tools and strategies effectively.

Current statistics from the EC-Council show that the organization has issued certifications to more than 380,000 security professionals worldwide, thus demonstrating global acceptance of the CEH program. 

 

CompTIA Security+ vs. CEH Certification

Your career objectives and cybersecurity expertise can help you determine whether to pursue CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification. The two certifications maintain high value but serve distinctive skill requirements for different professional positions. The following sections analyze the main distinctions between CompTIA Security+ certification and CEH certification to assist your career choice in the ever-evolving cybersecurity domain: 

 

1. Certification Objectives

CompTIA Security+: Security+ certification from CompTIA ensures basic knowledge about cybersecurity standards, together with risk control and secured operations methods. The accreditation is an optimal choice for professionals new to cybersecurity work.
CEH: CEH provides training on ethical hacking techniques, penetration testing, and offensive security, making it appropriate for cybersecurity specialists.

 

2. Difficulty Level

CompTIA Security+: The Security+ certification serves as an entry point for individuals with a fundamental understanding of IT security. The certification offers a broad perspective of cybersecurity concepts, although it lacks thorough hacking practice education.
CEH: The CEH certification necessitates an advanced level of expertise, including hacking tools, attack techniques, and practical penetration testing abilities. This certification needs hands-on experience along with practical knowledge at its core.

 

3. Exam Structure

CompTIA Security+: Security+ exam contains 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions requiring a minimum score of 750 out of 900 points. Security+ evaluates both theoretical concepts and basic practical abilities through its examination structure.
CEH: The CEH exam contains 125 multiple-choice questions and offers a 4-hours to complete. Its passing score averages 70%, and its practical section evaluates hacking abilities through the live testing environment.

 

4. CEH vs Security+ Job Opportunities

CompTIA Security+: Security+ provides qualifications for positions such as Security Analyst, IT Auditor, Cybersecurity Specialist, and Network Administrator who work in defensive security environments.
CEH: CEH certification benefits candidates as Ethical Hackers, Penetration Testers, Security Consultants, and Red Team Operators who perform offensive security and ethical hacking tasks.

 

5. Price and Requirements for Training

CompTIA Security+: The Security+ exam costs $404, and the exam has no specific entry requirements. The certification works best for those who are new to cybersecurity fields.
CEH: The CEH exam costs $1,199, and applicants must demonstrate two years of work experience or complete official EC-Council training to take the exam.

 

6. Industry Acceptance and Adherence

CompTIA Security+: The Security+ certification finds broad acceptance throughout IT and security industries because organizations like the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) endorse it. Public safety organizations commonly demand it as a standard requirement for their security positions.
CEH: The CEH certification holds international recognition in ethical hacking domains, cybersecurity consulting firms, penetration testing organizations, and red team security divisions choose it as their standard.

 

7. Real-World Use and Interactive Instruction

CompTIA Security+: Security+ delivers theoretical and practical content that equips professionals with essential cybersecurity information.
CEH: The penetration testing education at CEH combines real hacking demonstrations with the use of Metasploit, Nmap, and Wireshark tools to demonstrate methodology practice.

 

Conclusion 

The choice between CompTIA Security+ and CEH depends on your professional expertise because these certifications hold distinct values. CompTIA Security+ is the best option to establish a solid cybersecurity base emphasizing core security principles. In comparison, CEH provides the essential skills needed to become an expert in both ethical hacking and penetration testing. The cybersecurity industry offers abundant opportunities for successful candidates who earn either Security+ or CEH certifications.  

Moreover, the training specialists at Vinsys guide learners through professional certification programs, leading to their success. Our training programs incorporate expert trainers, hands-on labs, case studies, and adaptable learning choices that help learners acquire essential cybersecurity skills.  

Sign up for Security+ or CEH training programs at Vinsys right now and progress your cybersecurity career path.