My Journey to Becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Author Ermias Teffera

Why I Chose CEH

Working in cybersecurity, I’ve always been on the defensive side — protecting networks, securing systems, and ensuring compliance. But to truly defend effectively, you have to think like the adversary. That’s what led me to pursue the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification — to sharpen my offensive security skills and better anticipate threats.

Preparing with a Cybersecurity Lens

Given my day-to-day work in security Cyber and Network operations, I tailored my preparation to blend theory with real-world application. I deep-dived into reconnaissance, vulnerability analysis, exploitation, and post-exploitation — not just to pass the exam but to integrate these skills into my professional toolkit.

I used EC-Council’s official materials alongside my own penetration testing lab. Tools like Nmap, Metasploit, Burp Suite, Wireshark, Nessus and Hydra weren’t just practice — they were extensions of what I already used in threat analysis and red-teaming scenarios.

The Exam Experience

The 4-hour, 125-question exam tested not only technical knowledge but also my ability to think under pressure. Each scenario required me to quickly identify the best approach for securing — or exploiting — a given system. My experience in cybersecurity gave me the practical edge I needed.

Career Impact

Since becoming CEH certified, my role has expanded significantly:

• I now lead internal red team exercises to identify weaknesses before attackers do.

• My insights carry more weight in strategic security planning meetings.

• Clients see me not just as a defender, but as someone who understands the attacker’s playbook.

Real-World Wins

Post-certification, I conducted a full-scope penetration test for a client. I uncovered multiple vulnerabilities — including a critical privilege escalation flaw — and worked with the client’s team to patch them before they could be exploited in the wild.

Final Thoughts

The CEH has made me a more effective cybersecurity professional, capable of bridging the gap between red (offensive security testing that simulates real-world attacks  to identify weaknesses before attackers do.) and blue teams (defensive security operations) to strengthen detection, incident response, and prevention capabilities.. It’s not just a title — it’s a mindset shift that has already delivered tangible security benefits for my organization and clients.