CEH in Manila
Philippines · Asia Pacific
What is CEH?
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) v13, issued by EC-Council, is one of the most recognized offensive security certifications in the world. It validates your ability to think and act like a malicious hacker — legally — covering attack vectors, penetration testing methodologies, malware analysis, and network intrusion techniques across 20 core domains. For IT professionals in Manila, the CEH carries significant weight. The Philippines' cybersecurity sector is expanding rapidly, driven by BPO growth, fintech adoption, and increased government focus on national cyber defense. Manila-based employers across banking, tech outsourcing, and government contracting actively list CEH as a preferred or required credential for security analyst and penetration tester roles.
Exam details
- Exam cost
- $1199 USD
- Duration
- 240 min
- Passing score
- 70
- Renewal
- Every 3 yrs
Prerequisites: 2 years IT security experience or EC-Council official training
Is CEH worth it in Manila?
With an average IT salary of around $20,000 per year in Manila, a $15,000 annual salary uplift from earning the CEH represents a 75% income increase — one of the strongest ROI ratios of any intermediate-level certification globally. The $1,199 exam fee pays for itself within the first month of a higher-paying role. Manila's cybersecurity job market is underserved relative to demand; certified professionals are frequently recruited by multinational BPOs, local banks under BSP cybersecurity mandates, and regional SOC teams. Holding the CEH v13 signals hands-on technical competence, not just theoretical knowledge, which is exactly what Manila hiring managers are screening for in 2024 and beyond.
12-week study plan
Weeks 1–4
Foundations and Reconnaissance
- Study CEH v13 Modules 1–5: ethical hacking intro, footprinting, network scanning, enumeration, and vulnerability analysis
- Set up a home lab using VirtualBox or VMware with Kali Linux and a vulnerable target VM like Metasploitable
- Practice passive and active reconnaissance techniques using tools like Maltego, Nmap, and Netcraft
Weeks 5–8
Exploitation and Attack Techniques
- Cover Modules 6–14: system hacking, malware threats, sniffing, social engineering, DoS attacks, session hijacking, and web application attacks
- Work through hands-on labs on EC-Council's iLabs platform or TryHackMe CEH-aligned rooms to reinforce exploitation workflows
- Build a command reference sheet for tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, Wireshark, and John the Ripper as you encounter them
Weeks 9–12
Advanced Domains, Review, and Exam Readiness
- Complete Modules 15–20: SQL injection, hacking wireless networks, mobile platforms, IoT, cloud computing, and cryptography
- Take at least three full 125-question CEH practice exams under timed conditions, targeting 80%+ before sitting the real test
- Review all flagged weak areas using EC-Council's official courseware and focus on tool-to-use-case mapping, which is heavily tested
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View on Udemy →Exam tips
- 1.Memorize which specific tool is used for which attack phase — CEH questions frequently ask 'which tool would you use to...' and expect exact answers like Netcat for banners, Aircrack-ng for WEP cracking, or Hashcat for offline password attacks.
- 2.Understand the five phases of ethical hacking (Reconnaissance, Scanning, Gaining Access, Maintaining Access, Covering Tracks) cold — many questions are built around identifying which phase a described action belongs to.
- 3.Do not ignore the cloud and IoT modules in v13; EC-Council significantly expanded these sections and they now represent a meaningful portion of exam questions that many candidates underestimate.
- 4.When answering scenario questions, always apply the 'least invasive, most legal' logic — CEH tests ethical decision-making alongside technical knowledge, and the correct answer is often the one that requires explicit authorization before acting.
- 5.Use the process of elimination aggressively: CEH answer choices often include one clearly wrong option and one partially correct option — identifying what is technically inaccurate first narrows your choices and improves accuracy under time pressure.