Cybersecurity certifications play a critical role in shaping career trajectories in the ever-evolving IT landscape. Two of the most sought-after certifications, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), often spark debate among professionals looking to elevate their credentials.
While both certifications focus on ethical hacking, their approach, skill set, and career outcomes differ significantly.
At QuickStart, we offer the latest CEH training with EC-Council. We have also been recognized with the EC-Council’s ATC Circle of Excellence award since 2022 for being one of the best training centers worldwide.
Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which is the better fit for your career goals in 2025.
What is CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)?
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, offered by the EC-Council, is one of the most widely recognized credentials in the cybersecurity field. It is designed for IT professionals who want to gain a foundational understanding of ethical hacking and the tools, techniques, and methodologies hackers use to exploit system vulnerabilities.
Known for developing certifications that address real-world security challenges, the EC-Council ensures CEH remains relevant by regularly updating its curriculum to align with emerging threats and technologies.
One of the key advantages of CEH is its vendor-neutral approach, meaning the certification does not limit your learning to specific tools, software, or platforms. Instead, it focuses on universal ethical hacking concepts and practices that can be applied across diverse environments, making it highly versatile.
CEH provides a broad understanding of ethical hacking fundamentals, including:
- Defensive Strategies: Covering the tools and techniques used to detect and prevent cyber threats.
- Overview of Attack Vectors: Insights into potential entry points attackers exploit, such as networks, applications, and systems.
- Theories of Hacking: Understanding how and why attacks occur.
Recent updates to the curriculum have included emerging topics like IoT (Internet of Things) security, cloud security, and vulnerability analysis, ensuring candidates are equipped to address modern cybersecurity challenges.
CEH Exam Details
The CEH exam is designed to test candidates’ theoretical knowledge and foundational skills:
- Duration: 4 hours
- Format: 125 multiple-choice questions
- Coverage: 19 core modules that span a wide range of topics, including reconnaissance techniques, malware threats, social engineering, cryptography, and web application attacks.
These modules reflect current industry needs, such as securing IoT devices and performing vulnerability assessments, ensuring candidates are prepared for real-world scenarios.
What is OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)?
The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) is a highly respected and challenging certification offered by Offensive Security, an organization renowned for its focus on real-world, hands-on cybersecurity training.
The OSCP is specifically designed for those seeking to prove their advanced penetration testing skills through practical application, making it a gold standard for professionals in offensive security roles.
The OSCP certification stands out as Offensive Security's flagship credential, often viewed as a rite of passage for ethical hackers and penetration testers. It takes a unique approach by testing candidates’ ability to apply their skills in real-world scenarios.
Unlike certifications that focus on multiple-choice exams, the OSCP requires participants to:
- Analyze networks and systems to identify vulnerabilities.
- Use a variety of tools and techniques to exploit weaknesses.
- Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills to achieve specified objectives.
This focus on real-world penetration testing skills ensures that OSCP-certified professionals are not just knowledgeable but also capable of performing complex tasks under pressure.
OSCP Exam Details
The OSCP exam is one of the most demanding certifications in the cybersecurity field:
- Duration: A 24-hour assessment that tests endurance, technical skill, and problem-solving abilities.
- Task: Candidates must hack into 50 targets across three networks. This requires identifying vulnerabilities, exploiting them to gain access, and escalating privileges.
- Report Submission: In addition to the technical challenge, candidates must prepare and submit a detailed penetration testing report documenting their findings, methodologies, and results. The quality and clarity of this report are critical for passing.
The OSCP exam mirrors real-world penetration testing engagements, where documenting findings for clients is as important as the hacking itself.
CEH vs OSCP: What’s the Difference?
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certifications cater to cybersecurity professionals but differ fundamentally in their approach, focus, and outcomes.
These differences reflect the distinct skill sets they aim to develop and assess, making them suitable for varying career paths and experience levels.
CEH: Focus on Theoretical Knowledge
CEH is designed as an entry-level certification, providing foundational knowledge of ethical hacking concepts and techniques. It takes a theoretical approach, ensuring candidates understand the methodologies and frameworks used by malicious hackers and how to counteract them.
Key aspects of CEH's theoretical focus include:
- Broad Knowledge Base: CEH covers a wide range of topics, such as attack vectors, cryptography, social engineering, and malware analysis.
- Multiple-choice Exam: The assessment evaluates candidates on their understanding of theoretical concepts, requiring them to recall and apply knowledge rather than solve practical challenges.
- Structured Learning: The certification provides a guided curriculum with detailed study materials and modules, making it accessible for individuals new to ethical hacking.
CEH is an excellent starting point for individuals aiming to break into the field of cybersecurity or ethical hacking but may lack the practical experience to immediately tackle advanced challenges.
OSCP: Emphasis on Practical, Hands-On Skills
OSCP, on the other hand, is a practical certification that pushes candidates to demonstrate their hacking abilities in a real-world-like environment. Offensive Security's philosophy revolves around "learning by doing," and the OSCP certification embodies this principle.
Key aspects of OSCP's hands-on focus include:
- Real-world Scenarios: Candidates are tested in a controlled lab environment where they must identify vulnerabilities, exploit systems, and escalate privileges.
- Performance-based Exam: Unlike CEH's multiple-choice format, OSCP assesses a candidate's ability to hack into multiple targets over 24 hours and document their process in a professional report.
- Skill-based Learning: The emphasis is on applying knowledge, requiring candidates to think critically and creatively to solve challenges.
This hands-on approach makes OSCP ideal for experienced professionals looking to prove their technical proficiency and practical expertise in penetration testing and offensive security.
CEH and OSCP: Exam Requirements
Let’s explore exam requirements for CEH and OSCP to determine which certification aligns best with your skills and career goals.
CEH Exam Requirements
Candidates must have two years of work experience in the information security field or complete an EC-Council-approved training course to qualify for the exam. This requirement ensures that participants have foundational knowledge before diving into ethical hacking concepts.
The training option provides a guided learning experience, making CEH accessible to those who are new to cybersecurity but willing to invest in structured preparation.
This combination of experience or training makes CEH an ideal entry point for individuals starting their cybersecurity careers.
OSCP Exam Requirements
The OSCP certification has no official eligibility requirements, allowing anyone to attempt the exam. However, Offensive Security recommends candidates possess certain skills to successfully navigate the program and exam challenges.
Recommended skills include:
- Basic Scripting Knowledge: Knowing Bash, Python, or Perl helps candidates create or modify scripts to tackle complex hacking scenarios.
- Experience in Windows/Linux Administration: Familiarity with operating systems is critical for recognizing system-level weaknesses and configuring tools effectively.
- Proficiency in TCP/IP Networking: A solid understanding of networking protocols and concepts is essential for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities.
While OSCP has an open-door policy, its demanding nature means that candidates with prior technical experience are better positioned to succeed.
Career Path Comparison
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certifications open doors to distinct career paths in cybersecurity, catering to professionals with varying career aspirations and skill preferences.
CEH (Management-Focused)
CEH is ideal for individuals aiming for cybersecurity positions that require a combination of technical knowledge and management skills. These roles often involve overseeing teams, allocating resources, and developing security strategies for organizations.
By building a strong theoretical foundation, CEH prepares professionals for broader responsibilities such as security operations management, compliance oversight, and cyber defense strategy development. It serves as a stepping stone for those aspiring to executive roles like Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
OSCP (Hands-On Focus)
OSCP is tailored for professionals who thrive on hands-on technical challenges and enjoy delving deep into the mechanics of systems to find and exploit vulnerabilities. It is a hallmark of expertise for penetration testers and offensive security practitioners.
The certification validates the ability to conduct complex penetration tests, making it a perfect fit for those involved in red teaming, threat hunting, and incident response.
Ultimately, CEH and OSCP cater to different aspects of cybersecurity careers. CEH is better suited for those aiming to lead and strategize, while OSCP is a match for technical experts passionate about offensive security. Together, they provide a balanced approach to building expertise in this critical field.
While CEH emphasizes broad theoretical knowledge, OSCP focuses on technical depth and hands-on skills. For professionals aiming to excel in both strategic and technical domains, pursuing both certifications can create a well-rounded skill set.
Salary Comparison
Comparing salaries associated with CEH and OSCP certifications highlights the potential financial rewards of each career path based on skill level and expertise.
Professionals with a CEH certification earn an average salary of $82,500*, reflecting its value in foundational and mid-level cybersecurity roles. It is well-suited for positions such as cybersecurity analyst, ethical hacker, and network security professional, where a broad understanding of ethical hacking principles is essential.
Professionals with an OSCP certification earn an average salary of $92,000* or higher, underscoring its value in advanced technical roles. This certification paves the way for positions like senior penetration tester, red team operator, and other offensive security roles that require hands-on expertise in real-world hacking scenarios.
For comparison, the median salary in the IT industry is $62,500.* Both certifications provide significant salary boosts, well above industry averages.
*2024 salary insights from salary.com
Who Should Take CEH vs. OSCP?
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is best suited for professionals who are new to the field of ethical hacking or those interested in defensive cybersecurity roles. It provides a broad understanding of hacking methodologies and strategies for countering cyber threats, making it ideal for individuals aiming to transition into cybersecurity from other IT roles.
CEH is also well-suited for professionals involved in cybersecurity management, where responsibilities include policy design, resource allocation, and overseeing security operations. This certification builds the foundational knowledge required for those interested in strategic cybersecurity roles with a focus on preventing attacks and safeguarding organizational assets.
By contrast, the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) is tailored for experienced professionals looking to specialize in offensive security and penetration testing. It is highly recommended for individuals with a solid understanding of networking, system administration, and basic scripting, as the certification’s focus is on applying practical hacking skills in real-world scenarios.
OSCP is ideal for candidates aiming for hands-on roles such as penetration tester, red team operator, or advanced threat analyst, where identifying and exploiting system vulnerabilities is a core responsibility. The certification’s emphasis on hands-on challenges ensures that professionals are ready to tackle advanced technical tasks in offensive security.
It’s important to consider your career goals and current skill level when deciding between certifications.
CEH provides a strong foundation in ethical hacking principles, making it an ideal starting point for those new to cybersecurity, while OSCP is better suited for experienced professionals seeking advanced, hands-on penetration testing expertise.
A recommended path is to begin with CEH to build foundational knowledge and progress to OSCP to develop robust technical skills, aligning with long-term ambitions in either leadership or technical roles.
Updated Insights for 2025
The CEH Practical Exam offers a newer, hands-on alternative to the traditional CEH ANSI exam, bringing a practical dimension to this foundational certification. This addition bridges the gap between CEH and OSCP by testing candidates' ability to apply ethical hacking techniques in simulated environments, increasing its relevance for professionals seeking to demonstrate both theoretical and practical skills.
With this evolution, CEH now caters to a wider audience, appealing to individuals interested in gaining practical experience while still covering broad-spectrum cybersecurity concepts.
For those pursuing the OSCP certification, recent updates have introduced enhanced lab environments that reflect modern attack vectors and more advanced systems. These updates include a stronger emphasis on Active Directory attacks, privilege escalation techniques, and scenarios tailored to simulate today’s most pressing threats.
These improvements align with the increasing industry demand for cybersecurity experts who can address complex challenges posed by emerging threats and compliance requirements such as GDPR and CCPA, ensuring both certifications remain highly relevant in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
If you are interested in starting your ethical hacking career, check out EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker Version 13 Training with QuickStart.