CEH vs CISM
Which certification is right for your career? Here's the full breakdown.
EC-Council
CEH
CEH v13
Certified Ethical Hacker — offensive security certification covering penetration testing methodologies and hacking tools.
Full guide →ISACA
CISM
CISM
Management-focused security certification covering governance, risk management, and incident management.
Full guide →Side-by-side comparison
| Category | CEH | CISM |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | $1199 USD | ✓$760 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | +$15,000/yr | ✓+$20,000/yr |
| Exam duration | 240 min | 240 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | EC-Council | ISACA |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Advanced |
CEH — Prerequisites
2 years IT security experience or EC-Council official training
CISM — Prerequisites
5 years information security management experience
Get CEH if…
- •You have 2–3 years of IT experience and want to specialise
- •You want a +$15,000/yr salary boost
- •You prefer credentials from EC-Council
Get CISM if…
- •You're aiming for senior or management roles in security
- •You want a +$20,000/yr salary boost
- •You prefer credentials from ISACA
Best CEH courses
udemy
CEH Complete Course
by Top-rated instructor
One-time purchase, lifetime access
View on Udemy →Best CISM courses
udemy
CISM Complete Course
by Top-rated instructor
One-time purchase, lifetime access
View on Udemy →Frequently asked questions
Is CEH harder than CISM?
CISM is harder — rated advanced vs intermediate.
Which pays more — CEH or CISM?
CEH has an average salary uplift of +$15,000/yr, while CISM has +$20,000/yr. CISM has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — CEH or CISM?
CEH is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward CISM.