Security+ vs CEH: Which Cybersecurity Certification Should You Choose in 2025?

You want to break into cybersecurity. You’re looking at CompTIA Security+ and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and you’re confused: “Which one should I get? Are they the same thing? Can I skip Security+ and go straight to CEH?”

Security+ and CEH are NOT interchangeable. They target different roles, different skill levels, and different career paths. Getting the wrong one first can waste 6 months and $1,200+.

Let me show you exactly which certification you need based on where you are and where you’re going.

The Core Difference: Defense vs Offense

The biggest mistake beginners make is thinking “Security+ and CEH both cover cybersecurity, so they must be similar.”

They’re not. They’re opposite sides of cybersecurity.

CompTIA Security+: Defensive Security (Blue Team)

What Security+ teaches:

• Security fundamentals: Threats, vulnerabilities, risk management
• Defensive technologies: Firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEM, endpoint protection
• Access control: Authentication, authorization, identity management
• Cryptography basics: Encryption, hashing, certificates, PKI
• Network security: VPNs, secure protocols, network segmentation
• Incident response: Detection, containment, recovery procedures
• Compliance and governance: Security policies, frameworks (NIST, ISO)

Security+ mindset: “How do I protect systems from attackers?”

Typical Security+ job: SOC Analyst - You monitor security alerts, investigate incidents, block threats, respond to breaches.

Example Security+ job description:

“SOC Analyst: Monitor SIEM for security events, investigate alerts, document incidents, coordinate incident response. CompTIA Security+ required.”

Salary range with Security+: $65K-$95K (SOC analyst, security analyst, junior security engineer)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Offensive Security (Red Team)

What CEH teaches:

• Hacking methodology: Reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, covering tracks
• Penetration testing: Finding vulnerabilities in networks, web apps, systems
• Hacking tools: Metasploit, Nmap, Burp Suite, Wireshark, John the Ripper
• Web application attacks: SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, session hijacking
• Social engineering: Phishing, pretexting, physical security bypass
• Malware and trojans: How attackers use malware (defensive knowledge)
• Post-exploitation: Maintaining access, privilege escalation

CEH mindset: “How would an attacker break into this system?”

Typical CEH job: Penetration Tester - You’re hired to legally hack into systems, find vulnerabilities, write reports on security weaknesses.

Example CEH job description:

“Penetration Tester: Conduct network and web application penetration tests, identify vulnerabilities, produce technical reports, recommend remediation. CEH or OSCP preferred.”

Salary range with CEH: $85K-$130K (penetration tester, ethical hacker, security consultant)

The Simple Rule

Security+ = Learning to DEFEND CEH = Learning to ATTACK (so you can defend better)

Both are valuable, but you need Security+ first (more on why below).

Side-by-Side Comparison: Security+ vs CEH

Let me break down every dimension so you can see the differences clearly:

Key insight: Security+ is cheaper, faster, more broadly required, and entry-level friendly. CEH is expensive, specialized, and targets people already working in security who want to add offensive skills.

Which Certification to Get First (Decision Framework)

Stop asking “which is better?” Start asking “which should I get RIGHT NOW?”

Get CompTIA Security+ FIRST if:

✅ You’re new to cybersecurity (0-1 years experience)

• Security+ teaches fundamentals you MUST know before offensive security
• You need baseline knowledge of networks, encryption, threats before you can hack
• Security+ is prerequisite knowledge for CEH (even if EC-Council doesn’t require it formally)

✅ You have zero security certifications

• Security+ is industry standard entry credential
• Many security jobs require Security+ (especially government, DoD, defense contractors)
• Security+ gets you past HR filters for SOC analyst roles

✅ You’re targeting SOC analyst or defensive security roles

• Job postings for SOC analyst, security analyst, junior security engineer almost always require Security+
• Defensive security career path = Security+ → CySA+ → CISSP (not CEH)

✅ You want DoD or government security jobs

• DoD 8570 regulation REQUIRES Security+ for many government IT security roles
• Federal contractors, military, defense industry all require Security+
• CEH is optional; Security+ is mandatory

✅ You’re on a budget ($408 vs $1,200+)

• Security+ costs 1/3 of CEH
• If you have limited funds, get Security+ → land job → employer pays for CEH later

Get CEH FIRST (rare, but valid) if:

✅ You already have Security+ or equivalent knowledge

• You’ve been working in security for 1-2+ years
• You understand defensive security and want to add offensive skills
• CEH is your next step, not your first step

✅ You’re specifically targeting penetration testing roles

• You know you want to be a pentester (not SOC analyst)
• You have IT or networking background (A+, Network+, or hands-on experience)
• You can afford $1,200-$2,500 for CEH

✅ Your employer is paying for CEH training

• Your company is covering $2,500 official EC-Council training bundle
• You don’t have to choose (free certification!)
• Still recommend getting Security+ eventually for broader marketability

Get BOTH (in sequence: Security+ → work 12-18 months → CEH) if:

✅ You want a versatile cybersecurity career

• Security+ proves defensive knowledge
• CEH proves offensive knowledge
• Together = “I understand security from both attacker and defender perspective”
• Maximizes job options (SOC analyst, security engineer, pentester, security consultant)

✅ You’re targeting senior security roles long-term

• Senior security engineers need both defensive and offensive knowledge
• Security architects need to understand how attackers think
• Security+ → CEH → CISSP is strong career progression

My recommendation for 90% of people:

1. Get Security+ first ($408, 60-80 hours study)
2. Land SOC analyst or security analyst job ($70K-$85K)
3. Work 12-18 months, learn defensive security hands-on
4. Get CEH ($1,200, employer may pay for it)
5. Transition to penetration testing or senior security engineer ($95K-$130K+)

Security+ Deep Dive: What You Need to Know

Let me give you the full picture of Security+ so you can decide if it’s right for you.

CompTIA Security+ Exam Details (SY0-701)

Exam format:

• 90 questions (mix of multiple choice and performance-based simulations)
• 90 minutes
• Passing score: 750/900 (approximately 83%)
• Performance-based questions: 3-5 questions requiring you to configure firewall rules, analyze network traffic, etc.

Content domains:

1. General Security Concepts (12%) - CIA triad, non-repudiation, AAA framework
2. Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations (22%) - Malware, phishing, DDoS, vulnerabilities
3. Security Architecture (18%) - Network design, cloud security, zero trust
4. Security Operations (28%) - Monitoring, incident response, forensics
5. Security Program Management and Oversight (20%) - Governance, compliance, risk management

Study Time and Resources

Study time needed:

• Complete beginners: 80-100 hours (10-12 weeks at 8 hours/week)
• IT support background: 60-80 hours (8-10 weeks)
• Network+ or sys admin experience: 50-60 hours (6-8 weeks)

Best study resources:

• Professor Messer Security+ videos: FREE on YouTube, covers 100% of objectives
• Jason Dion Udemy course + practice exams: $30-40 (frequently on sale), excellent practice tests
• CompTIA Security+ Study Guide (Sybex): $50, comprehensive book
• Total recommended budget: $30-$80 (plus $408 exam fee)

Study plan (60-80 hours):

• Weeks 1-6: Professor Messer videos + take notes (40-50 hours)
• Weeks 7-8: Jason Dion practice exams, review weak areas (15-20 hours)
• Week 9: Final review, flashcards for acronyms/ports (5-10 hours)
• Week 10: Take exam

Jobs You Can Land with Security+

Entry-level roles ($65K-$85K):

• SOC Analyst (Level 1)
• Security Analyst
• Junior Security Engineer
• IT Security Specialist
• Cybersecurity Technician

With 2-3 years experience + Security+ ($85K-$110K):

• SOC Analyst (Level 2/3)
• Security Engineer
• Incident Responder
• Security Operations Specialist

Real example: Marcus, 26, IT support technician making $52K. Got Security+ in 3 months. Landed SOC analyst role at managed security service provider: $74K + benefits. Monitored SIEM, investigated security alerts, wrote incident reports. After 18 months, promoted to SOC Level 2 analyst at $88K.

CEH Deep Dive: What You Need to Know

Now let’s look at CEH in detail.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH v12) Exam Details

Exam format:

• 125 multiple choice questions
• 4 hours
• Passing score: ~70% (EC-Council doesn’t publish exact score)
• Scenario-based questions testing practical hacking knowledge

Content domains:

1. Introduction to Ethical Hacking - Hacking methodology, legal considerations
2. Footprinting and Reconnaissance - OSINT, passive/active recon
3. Scanning Networks - Nmap, network discovery, enumeration
4. Enumeration - Banner grabbing, SNMP, DNS, SMB enumeration
5. Vulnerability Analysis - Vulnerability scanning, CVE databases
6. System Hacking - Password cracking, privilege escalation, covering tracks
7. Malware Threats - Trojans, viruses, malware analysis
8. Sniffing - Packet capture, Wireshark, ARP poisoning
9. Social Engineering - Phishing, pretexting, physical security
10. Denial of Service - DoS/DDoS attacks and mitigation
11. Session Hijacking - Cookie stealing, session fixation
12. Evading IDS, Firewalls, and Honeypots
13. Hacking Web Servers - Web server vulnerabilities
14. Hacking Web Applications - SQL injection, XSS, CSRF
15. SQL Injection - Database attacks
16. Hacking Wireless Networks - WEP/WPA/WPA2 attacks
17. Hacking Mobile Platforms - iOS, Android vulnerabilities
18. IoT and OT Hacking
19. Cloud Computing - Cloud security, AWS/Azure attacks
20. Cryptography - Encryption algorithms, PKI attacks

Key difference from Security+: CEH goes DEEP into offensive tools and attack techniques. Security+ mentions these concepts; CEH teaches you how to execute them.

Study Time and Cost

Study time needed:

• Security background (Security+ or 1-2 years SOC): 80-100 hours
• No security background (not recommended): 120-150 hours
• Experienced IT but new to security: 100-120 hours

Cost options:

Option 1: Self-study (cheapest)

• Buy CEH study materials ($100-$200): Matt Walker CEH book, practice exams
• Buy exam voucher ($1,199)
• Total: ~$1,300-$1,400
• Requirement: Must have 2 years security experience OR take official training

Option 2: Official EC-Council training bundle (expensive but comprehensive)

• iLearn self-paced training + exam ($2,499)
• Instructor-led training + exam ($3,500-$4,500)
• Total: $2,500-$4,500
• Includes: Official curriculum, labs, practice exams, exam voucher

Most people choose: Self-study route if they have security experience, official training if employer pays or they lack experience.

Jobs You Can Land with CEH

Penetration testing roles ($85K-$130K):

• Junior Penetration Tester
• Ethical Hacker
• Vulnerability Assessment Analyst
• Security Consultant (offensive focus)

With 2-3 years pentesting experience + CEH ($120K-$160K):

• Senior Penetration Tester
• Red Team Operator
• Security Researcher
• Offensive Security Consultant

Reality check: CEH alone doesn’t make you a pentester. You need:

• CEH certification
• Hands-on practice (HackTheBox, TryHackMe, CTF competitions)
• Portfolio of pentesting projects/writeups
• Understanding of networking and systems (Security+ or equivalent knowledge)

Real example: Sarah, 28, SOC analyst with 2 years experience and Security+, making $76K. Studied for CEH for 4 months while working, practiced on TryHackMe. Passed CEH. Transitioned to junior penetration tester role at security consulting firm: $98K. Conducts web app pentests, network pentests, writes reports. After 2 years, now senior pentester at $135K.

Cost Comparison: Total Investment

Let’s break down total cost to get certified and job-ready:

Security+ Total Cost

Required:

• Exam fee: $408
• Study materials: $30-$80 (Udemy courses, practice exams)
• Total required: $438-$488

Optional (but recommended):

• Home lab equipment: $100-$300 (old laptop, Raspberry Pi for practice)
• Total with optional: $538-$788

Time investment: 60-100 hours

Expected salary increase: $40K help desk → $70K-$85K SOC analyst = $30K-$45K increase

ROI: Earn back your investment in first 2 weeks of new job

CEH Total Cost

Required (self-study path):

• Exam fee: $1,199
• Study materials: $100-$200 (books, practice tests)
• Total required: $1,300-$1,400

Required (official training path):

• Training + exam bundle: $2,499-$4,500
• Total required: $2,500-$4,500

Recommended:

• Practice platforms (HackTheBox VIP, TryHackMe): $10-$20/month x 4-6 months = $40-$120
• Home lab: $200-$500 (better equipment for running vulnerable VMs)
• Total with recommended: $1,540-$2,020 (self-study) or $2,740-$5,120 (training)

Time investment: 80-150 hours study + 100+ hours hands-on practice

Expected salary increase: $76K SOC analyst → $98K-$120K pentester = $22K-$44K increase

ROI: Earn back investment in 1-3 months of new job (if self-study), 2-5 months (if official training)

The Strategic Career Path: Security+ → Job → CEH

Here’s the path I recommend to nearly everyone starting in cybersecurity:

Year 1: Get Security+ → Land SOC Analyst Job

Months 1-3: Study for Security+ (60-80 hours)

• Professor Messer videos
• Jason Dion practice exams
• Pass Security+ exam

Months 4-6: Job search + Interview prep

• Update resume with Security+
• Apply to SOC analyst, security analyst, junior security engineer roles
• Prepare for interviews (common interview questions, explain CIA triad, incident response process)
• Land job: $70K-$85K

Investment: $438-$488 Outcome: $70K-$85K cybersecurity job

Years 1-2: Work in SOC, Learn Defensive Security

Focus: Gain hands-on experience

• Monitor SIEM alerts daily
• Investigate security incidents
• Learn security tools (Splunk, QRadar, EDR tools, firewalls)
• Understand attacker tactics (you’ll see attacks in real-time)
• Build foundational security knowledge

Salary: $70K-$85K (Year 1) → $80K-$90K (Year 2 with raises/promotions)

Year 2-3: Study for CEH, Transition to Offensive Security

Months 18-24: Study for CEH while working

• Request employer to pay for CEH training ($2,500) - many companies cover this
• Study 10-15 hours/week for 3-4 months
• Practice on HackTheBox, TryHackMe (build pentesting skills)
• Pass CEH

Months 25-30: Transition to pentesting

• Update resume with Security+ AND CEH
• Apply to junior penetration tester roles
• Show portfolio: HackTheBox writeups, personal pentest projects
• Land pentesting job: $95K-$120K

Investment (if employer doesn’t pay): $1,300-$2,500 Outcome: $95K-$120K penetration testing role

Total Career Progression (3 years)

Year 0: Help desk or IT support - $45K-$55K ↓ Get Security+ Year 1: SOC Analyst - $70K-$85K (+$25K-$30K) ↓ Work, learn, gain experience Year 2: SOC Analyst Level 2 - $80K-$95K (+$10K) ↓ Get CEH, pivot to offensive security Year 3: Junior Penetration Tester - $95K-$120K (+$15K-$25K)

3-year salary progression: $50K → $120K (140% increase)

Total certification investment: ~$2,000 (if employer pays for CEH) or ~$4,000 (if you pay)

ROI: Life-changing career transformation in 3 years

Which Certification Has Better Long-Term Value?

Short answer: Security+ has broader value early career; CEH has higher value for specialization.

Long-term (5-10 years into career):

• Security+ remains relevant if you stay in defensive security (SOC, security engineering, architecture)
• CEH becomes less important if you move beyond pentesting (management, leadership, GRC)
• CISSP eventually replaces both as the “senior security professional” certification

Reality for most cybersecurity professionals:

• Security+ is mandatory foundation (almost everyone gets this)
• CEH is optional specialization (only penetration testers truly need it)
• CISSP is senior credential (targets people with 5+ years experience)

My certification journey (as example):

• Age 24: CompTIA Security+ → SOC analyst ($68K)
• Age 26: CEH → Penetration tester ($95K)
• Age 29: CISSP → Senior security engineer ($135K)
• Age 32: OSCP → Lead penetration tester ($168K)

Each certification served a purpose at the right time. Security+ was my entry ticket. CEH was my specialization. CISSP was my senior credential. OSCP was my mastery certification.

The Bottom Line: Which Should You Get?

Here’s my direct advice:

Get Security+ if:

• You’re new to cybersecurity (0-2 years experience)
• You want broad cybersecurity knowledge (not just pentesting)
• You’re targeting SOC analyst, security analyst, or defensive security roles
• You need DoD 8570 compliance (government, military, defense contractors)
• You’re on a budget ($408 vs $1,200+)

Get CEH if:

• You already have Security+ or 2+ years security experience
• You specifically want to be a penetration tester
• Your employer is paying for the certification
• You want to specialize in offensive security

Get Security+ THEN CEH if:

• You want maximum career flexibility
• You’re building toward senior security engineer or architect roles
• You want both defensive and offensive security knowledge
• You have 2-3 years to invest in building comprehensive security expertise

Skip both and get OSCP instead if:

• You have 3+ years security experience
• You want elite penetration testing credential (better than CEH)
• You’re willing to invest 300+ hours in brutally difficult hands-on exam
• You’re targeting $130K-$180K advanced pentesting roles

My recommendation for most people: Get Security+ first. It’s cheaper, faster, more broadly useful, and prerequisite knowledge for everything else in cybersecurity. Get CEH later if you decide offensive security is your path.

You’ve got this. Start with Security+.