What is Ethical Hacking - Eligibility, Courses, Fees, Syllabus, Job Profile

Diya NihalaniContent Author
A massive Yahoo data breach in 2013 compromised billions of user accounts. The WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 affected computers in over 150 countries, resulting in huge losses of millions of dollars. These incidents show the dark side of hacking, where vulnerabilities are exploited to cause widespread damage.
To combat these threats and attacks, Big companies like Google and Facebook hire ethical hackers, also known as white hat hackers. With permission, they rigorously test their systems for weaknesses and vulnerabilities. This sums up what an ethical hacking professional does. These hackers are armed with various ethical hacking tools and techniques to fight against potential data breaches and threats to the company.
Ethical hackers' jobs are not just about fixing holes but about staying several steps ahead of malicious black hat hackers, who exploit vulnerabilities for nefarious purposes. By identifying and addressing security issues, ethical hackers help safeguard the digital fortress, preventing potential disasters and saving companies from the kind of breaches that have made headlines in the past.
Ethical Hacking Course Highlight
Ethical Hacking is a fairly new role that is becoming mainstream, as others in recent scenarios; more and more students are discovering the career scope of this course and working on their skill set by gaining various certifications and training through numerous platforms. Given below is a tabular summary of the Ethical Hacking course and the relevant details.
Particulars |
Details |
---|---|
Course Level |
Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Online Programmes |
Duration |
Online Courses - 6 weeks to 25 weeks Diploma 1-2 years UG- 3-4 years PG-2 years |
Eligibility |
For Online Courses - 10+2 in any stream For Postgraduate Courses- Bachelor's degree |
Fees |
Up to INR 10 lakh |
Top Institutions |
|
Average Salary |
Up to INR 6 lakh |
Top Recruiters |
Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook (Meta), Amazon, IBM, Oracle, etc. |
Job Positions |
Ethical Hacker, Penetration Tester, Security Analyst, Security Consultant, Cybersecurity Engineer, Information Security Manager, Vulnerability Assessor, etc. |
Why Learn Ethical Hacking in 2025?
Here are some top reasons to learn about ethical hacking.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a high demand for ethical hackers in the job market, with an expected growth rate of 32% from 2020 to 2030.
- Ethical hacking is a diverse field with opportunities in various industries such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology.
- As per PayScale, the average salary for an ethical hacker in the United States is $99,000 per year. In India, the average salary of an ethical hacker is INR 517,569 per year, as per AmbitionBox.
- The ethical hacking field is constantly evolving, with new technologies and techniques emerging, providing ongoing learning opportunities for professionals.
- A report by Burning Glass Technologies found that cybersecurity skills can boost a worker's salary by up to 16%.
- Learning ethical hacking can help individuals protect themselves from cyberattacks. According to Statista, there were 1.2 billion data breaches in the first half of 2023 alone, which makes it crucial for everyone to understand how to protect their personal information online.
Must Read: 5 Best Cyber Security Programming Languages to Learn
Ethical hacking involves an authorized attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, application, or data. Carrying out an ethical hack involves duplicating the strategies and actions of malicious attackers. Ethical hacking is one of the highest-paid careers, as the white hat hackers play a crucial role in protecting and weeding out bugs and tracking malicious activities.
- Ethical Hacking Eligibility and Admission 2025
- Top Ethical Hacking Certifications and Programs
- Ethical Hacking Course Syllabus
- Top Ethical Hacking Institutions
- Popular Private Ethical Hacking Colleges in India
- Ethical Hacking Salary, Career Scope, Job Profiles & Top Recruiters
- Ethical Hacking FAQs
- Popular Ethical Hacking UG Courses
- Popular Ethical Hacking PG Courses
- Popular Exams
- Online Courses
Ethical Hacking Eligibility and Admission 2025
Minimum Eligibility for Enrolling in Online Ethical Hacking Courses
It is important to have a Bachelor’s degree (BSc, BTech, BE, BCA) in Information Technology or Computer Science to become an ethical hacker. Candidates with an advanced diploma in network security or relevant technology can also choose ethical hacking as a professional career. A certification from a reputable institute enhances the chances of getting hired by some big names in the IT sector. However, every candidate needs to fulfill the eligibility criteria prescribed below before applying for admission to Ethical Hacking Courses:
- Eligibility Criteria for UG Courses: Candidates should have passed class 12 or its equivalent from a recognized board. Admission to ethical hacking courses at most Indian institutes is done through entrance tests.
- Eligibility Criteria for PG Courses: Candidates must have passed a bachelor’s degree in the related subject from a recognized university. A large number of colleges offer admission to their PG-level Ethical Hacking course through entrance tests.
Top Ethical Hacking Certifications and Programs
Ethical Hacking can be pursued either through various Diploma and Degree Programs or Certifications offered by numerous online and offline platforms. Ethical Hacking Diploma and Degree Programs can last between 1 and 4 years, whereas genuine Ethical Hacking Certifications can be gained within a week or so. Interested individuals can refer to the tables below to choose the program that suits their career goals.
Ethical Hacking Diploma and Degree Programmes
Program Name |
Total Duration |
Average Fees (INR) |
---|---|---|
Diploma in Ethical Hacking and IT Security |
1-2 years |
15,000 |
Diploma in Ethical Hacking |
1-2 years |
3,999 |
Diploma in Ethical Hacking & Cyber Security |
1-2 years |
50,000 |
BTech Cyber Security |
4 Years |
6-12 L |
BSc Networking |
3 years |
60k-3L |
BTech CSE (Cyber Security and Forensics) |
4 Years |
6-8 L |
Ethical Hacking Certifications
Candidates can take a look at the table below to know more about the certifications of Ethical Hacking Courses:
Certificate Name |
Total Duration |
Average Fees (INR) |
---|---|---|
EC-Council- Certified Ethical Hacker + CEH Master |
5 Days |
87,800 |
EC-Council- Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator Certification |
5 Days |
87,700 |
GIAC- Certified Penetration Tester |
6 days |
1,45,000 |
GIAC- Cyber Security Certification |
6 days |
1,45,000 |
GIAC- Certified Forensic Analyst |
6 days |
1,45,000 |
GIAC- Certified Intrusion Analyst |
6 days |
1,45,000 |
Free Ethical Hacking Courses
Candidates can even take free courses in Ethical Hacking on various online platforms, a few of which are mentioned in the table below.
Certificate Name |
Platform | Total Duration |
---|---|---|
Certified Ethical Hacker | Great Learning | 45 Hours |
Foundations of Cybersecurity | Coursera | 10 Hours |
Here are the Top Online Ethical Hacking Courses:
The Online mode of education is the best-proven mode of education for the working professionals, so if candidates are interested in pursuing a full-time job along with an ethical hacking course for the purpose of upskilling. They can take assistance from the table mentioned below for choosing a suitable certification for themselves.
Course | Duration |
---|---|
Hacking in Practice: Certified Ethical Hacking MEGA Course | 2 hours |
Complete Ethical Hacking Bootcamp: Zero to Mastery | 27 hours |
The Complete Nmap Ethical Hacking Course: Network Security | 5 hours |
Certified Ethical Hacker Certification | 40 hours |
Ethical Hacking Essentials (EHE) | 15 hours |
Metaxone Certified Ethical Hacker | 2 months |
CERTIFIED SECURITY PROFESSIONAL | 12 weeks |
CEH V11 Certification Training | 40 days |
Cyber Forensics | 1 hour |
Popular Courses
- IBM Cybersecurity Analyst AssessmentCoursera
- Introduction to Ethical HackingGreat Learning
- Introduction to Cyber SecurityGreat Learning
- Types of Cyber SecurityGreat Learning
- Exam MS-500: Microsoft 365 Security AdministrationMicrosoft
- Full Ethical Hacking CourseUDEMY
- Learn Ethical Hacking From ScratchUDEMY
- The Complete Ethical Hacking Course: Beginner to AdvancedUDEMY
- Ethical HackingSimplilearn
- Certified Ethical Hacker CertificationEC-Council
Any course that gives knowledge of computer languages, software, and programming can help you become an ethical hacker. BCA and B.Tech computer Science are the preferred courses. Many institutes also offer short-term (having a duration of months) hacking courses; some platforms do it for free, whereas some of them charge a particular fee.
For instance, students can explore the platform called "Coursera," which offers various courses for a certain charge, but the platform provides the option of seeking financial aid for the students who cannot afford the actual fees. The next step of the process involves the evaluation of that financial aid plea that students post under the course mentioned on the interface.
After the approval of the financial aid, that particular course is automatically unlocked, and the contents of it are available for the students to follow.
Ethical hacking is legal and is certainly one of the fastest-growing and the highest-paid professions globally. It is hacking, but for the favor of the organizations. The white-hat hackers who invade the access of various sites but for the sake of security.
Ethical hacking requires various skills, like
- Understanding basic network protocols, TCP/IP, and network operations. Proficient in Python, Java, or C+ for scripting and automation.
- Aware of the basics of both Windows and Linux systems.
- Knowledge of tools like Wireshark, Metasploit, and Nmap.
- Ability to identify and assess security weaknesses.
- Strong analytical skills to troubleshoot and resolve security issues.
- Techniques to analyze application code for vulnerabilities.
- Understanding human elements and behaviors to identify security risks.
- Keeping up with current security trends and threats.
- Certifications like CEH or OSCP enhance credibility and knowledge.
- Freshers who are interested in cybersecurity and want to learn more about ethical hacking techniques and tools can go for this course.
- Professionals working in the tech industry who want to upskill and stay relevant in their field.
- Professionals working in a different industry who want to switch to a career in cybersecurity need to learn the basics of ethical hacking.
- Business owners and managers who want to better understand the security risks to their organisation and how to mitigate them.
- Anyone interested in protecting their personal information and devices from cyber threats.
Ethical Hacking Course Syllabus
Interested candidates can check out the list of generic topics and subjects covered in an ethical hacking course in the table below.
Training Area |
Topics Covered |
---|---|
Ethical Hacking |
Cyber Ethics-Hacking Introduction Information Gathering 1 and 2 Scanning 1 and 2 Google Hacking Database Trojans & Backdoors Sniffers & keyloggers Social Engineering Email, DNS, IP, and Email spoofing HoneyPots System Hacking & Security |
Website Hacking & Security |
Vulnerability Research SQL Injection XSS Attacks & Countermeasures LFI/ RFI Attacks & Countermeasures Information Disclosure Vulnerabilities Buffer Overflow & Session Hijacking Attacks Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing Exploit Writing Secure Coding Practices |
Mobile & Wireless Security |
Wireless Hacking & Security SMS Forging & Countermeasures VoIP Hacking & Countermeasure |
Top Ethical Hacking Institutions
Ethical Hacking Course | Platforms | Tuition Fee |
---|---|---|
Certificates | Edureka (5 Weeks) | INR 42,000 |
Boston Institute of Analytics (4 Months)
|
INR 75,000 | |
Udemy (40 Hours) | NA | |
Infosec (6 Months) |
NA | |
UG Diploma | Boston Institute of Analytics (6 Months) | INR 1.12 Lakh |
Cyber Security Studies & Research Laboratory (3 Years) | INR 90,000 | |
PG Diploma | Boston Institute of Analytics (10 Months) | INR 1.55 Lakh |
All big organizations and MNCs are in dire need of a good security team in this era of the Internet. An ethical hacker can help big organizations by taking a job as a cybersecurity advisor for them.
A very popular job profile these days, ethical hackers are in a lot of demand, and big IT companies such as TCS, Infosys, Cognizant, Wipro, and others are constantly looking for cybersecurity experts and ethical hackers.
Since 2012, ethical hacking as a field has been growing at a rate that is widely outpacing all other spheres of cybersecurity and the IT industry. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, listings for cybersecurity jobs have increased by a whopping 75% since 2012. The pay scale offered to ethical hackers is impressive, too. Some reasons why you should have a career in ethical hacking include
Increased demand for information security professionals in both the public and private sectors, paving the way for more employment opportunities
Ethical Hacking has extended beyond the digital world and is entering the physical world, thereby ensuring a real-world impact
A booming job market, where pursuing an Ethical Hacking course may help you get a hike of 50-70%
Opportunity to work with big brand names like Visa, Cisco, Oracle, Reliance, GE, American Express, to name a few
It is a wonderful opportunity to network with new people and industry experts.
Ethical hacking and malicious hacking can be considered different due to the difference in intent and permission. Ethical hackers are authorized, whereas unethical hackers are not. Ethical hackers tend to protect the company system, whereas the malicious ones try to invade it in order to exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain or to cause harm, operating without consent and violating laws.
Particulars | Ethical | Malicious |
Intent | Secure and improve organizational technology. | Gain unauthorized access for financial gain, personal fame, or harm. |
Operations | Identify vulnerabilities, report them to the organization, and suggest fixes. | Exploit vulnerabilities for personal benefit without reporting them. |
Impact | Help strengthen security and prevent breaches. | Damage systems, deface websites, or cause financial and reputational harm. |
Follow-Up | Perform retests to ensure vulnerabilities are resolved. | Do not assist in improving security or resolving issues. |
Ethics | Work legally with approval to protect resources and data. | Operate illegally, often targeting sensitive data for malicious purposes. |
Popular Private Ethical Hacking Colleges in India
Ethical Hacking Applications open. Apply Now
Ethical Hacking Salary, Career Scope, Job Profiles & Top Recruiters
Amid the rise in cybercrime cases around the globe, the demand for Ethical Hackers has increased significantly. An Ethical Hacker breaches data or a site to prevent security vulnerabilities. An Ethical Hacker is responsible for keeping an eye out for malicious elements like hackers, bugs, and other potential online threats.
Interested candidates can read the article further for more details on the career prospects of Ethical Hacking. Numerous recruiters offer entry-level and managerial roles for the position of an Ethical Hacker. The average salary range is from INR 5 LPA to INR 25 LPA or more. Still, the salary, job profile, and position are largely dependent on the work experience, skill set, and individual capabilities. So, make sure you gain as much practical experience in the field of ethical hacking.
Ethical Hacking Salary and Job Profiles in India
Ethical hackers, also known as white hat hackers, work to improve cybersecurity by finding and fixing vulnerabilities in systems before malicious actors can exploit them. Common job profiles include penetration testers, security analysts, security consultants, and cybersecurity engineers. These professionals assess security risks, conduct penetration tests, and develop solutions to strengthen security measures.
Note: The average salary has been taken from external sources and may vary.
Ethical Hacking Job Profiles | Job Description | Average Salary |
---|---|---|
Penetration Tester | Simulates cyberattacks to identify weaknesses in systems and networks. | INR 10.5 LPA |
Vulnerability Assessor | Analyzes systems and applications to find security flaws and recommend solutions. | INR 24.3 LPA |
Security Analyst | Monitors networks and systems for suspicious activity, investigates security incidents, and helps implement security measures. | INR 7 LPA |
Security Consultant | Provides expert advice to organizations on improving their overall security posture, often involving ethical hacking assessments. | INR 15 LPA |
Cybersecurity Engineer | Designs, implements, and maintains security systems and infrastructure to protect against cyber threats. |
INR 11 LPA |
Note: The average salary has been taken from external sources and may vary.
Ethical Hacking Top Recruiters
Numerous good companies hire for the position of Ethical Hacking. The company and the job profile mainly depend on the skill set and the capabilities of the candidates. Hence, one should make sure to gain hands-on experience in their respective training, internship, and projects. Here is the list of top recruiters mentioned in the table below.
Ethical Hacking Top Recruiters |
|
---|---|
|
Microsoft |
Amazon |
IBM |
Infosys |
Wipro |
TCS |
Accenture |
Ethical Hacking FAQs
Candidates can refer to this section for Microbiology course FAQs.
Step 1: The first step is to know the basics of networking and computers. Make sure you are aware of the basics of computer networks, how they work, and basic concepts such as TCP/IP, DNS, and HTTP/HTTPS.
You can also learn about operating systems, especially Linux and Windows, because various tools used in ethical hacking are Linux-based.
Step 2: Learn Programming Languages
You will have to gain some programming skills in languages that are related to security analysis, such as Python, JavaScript, or C. Programming knowledge is very important for understanding how software vulnerabilities can be exploited and for developing your own hacking tools.
Step 3: Study Security Concepts
You will have to delve into cybersecurity fundamentals, including encryption, authentication, and authorization processes.
Get knowledge of common vulnerabilities and attacks like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.
Step 4: Get practical with ethical hacking tools.
Use ethical hacking tools like Metasploit, Nmap, Wireshark, and Burp Suite. Engage yourself in controlled environments like labs or virtual machines to safely apply hacking techniques without causing harm.
Step 5: Engage yourself in practice scenarios.
Participate in online Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions and security challenges to test your skills in real-world scenarios. Practical hands-on training is far more important than any theoretical study material regarding ethical hacking concepts.
Use practice labs, such as those offered by OverTheWire, Hack The Box, or TryHackMe, which provide a wider horizon of scope of learning from beginner to advanced levels.
Step 6: You need to earn Certifications from various paid and free platforms (online or offline)
Consider obtaining ethical hacking certifications such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), or CompTIA Security+. These certifications validate your know-how skills and confidence in the competitive job market nowadays.
Step 7: Keep learning and exploring the various updates, new practices, languages, and tools in the marketplaces.
Follow the latest cybersecurity news and updates to stay informed about new vulnerabilities and hacking techniques.
Join forums and communities like Reddit's r/netsec or security-focused groups on social media to learn from and contribute to discussions with other cybersecurity enthusiasts and professionals.
Popular Ethical Hacking UG Courses
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4 Colleges
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Student Forum
Answered 5 days ago
The ethical hacker course at Quest Institute of Knowledge includes the following topics:-
- Scanning Networks
- Social Engineering
- Foot-printing and Reconnaissance
- Cryptography
- Hacking Wireless Networks
- SQL Injection, etc.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Step 1: The first step is to know the basics of networking and computers. Make sure you are aware of the basics of computer networks, how they work, and basic concepts such as TCP/IP, DNS, and HTTP/HTTPS.
You can also learn about operating systems, especially Linux and Windows, because various tools
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Any course that gives knowledge of computer languages, software, and programming can help you become an ethical hacker. BCA and B.Tech computer Science are the preferred courses. Many institutes also offer short-term (having a duration of months) hacking courses; some platforms do it for free, where
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Ethical hacking involves an authorized attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, application, or data. Carrying out an ethical hack involves duplicating the strategies and actions of malicious attackers. Ethical hacking is one of the highest-paid careers, as the white hat hackers pla
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Ethical hacking is legal and is certainly one of the fastest-growing and the highest-paid professions globally. It is hacking, but for the favor of the organizations. The white-hat hackers who invade the access of various sites but for the sake of security.
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Ethical hacking involves an authorized attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, application, or data. Carrying out an ethical hack involves duplicating the strategies and actions of malicious attackers. Ethical hackers ensure the security of the companies' web assets. Basically, it
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
All big organizations and MNCs are in dire need of a good security team in this era of the Internet. An ethical hacker can help big organizations by taking a job as a cybersecurity advisor for them.
A very popular job profile these days, ethical hackers are in a lot of demand, and big IT companies s
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Ethical hacking and malicious hacking can be considered different due to the difference in intent and permission. Ethical hackers are authorized, whereas unethical hackers are not. Ethical hackers tend to protect the company system, whereas the malicious ones try to invade it in order to exploit vul
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
- Freshers who are interested in cybersecurity and want to learn more about ethical hacking techniques and tools can go for this course.
- Professionals working in the tech industry who want to upskill and stay relevant in their field.
- Professionals working in a different industry who want to switch to
D
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Ethical hacking requires various skills, like
- Understanding basic network protocols, TCP/IP, and network operations. Proficient in Python, Java, or C+ for scripting and automation.
- Aware of the basics of both Windows and Linux systems.
- Knowledge of tools like Wireshark, Metasploit, and Nmap.
- Ability to
D
Contributor-Level 7
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Ethical hacking involves an authorized attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, application, or data. Carrying out an ethical hack involves duplicating the strategies and actions of malicious attackers. Ethical hackers ensure the security of the companies' web assets. Basically, it is hacking but for the benefit of organizations rather than personal gain or invasion of ownership.