CEH vs. CompTIA+: Which Certification is Right for You?

Introduction:

Are you considering a career in cybersecurity but unsure whether CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) or CompTIA+ (Security+ or Network+) is the best first step for you? Take this 20-question quiz to help determine which certification matches your skill set, interests, and career goals. Let’s get started!

Quiz Questions:

1. What is your current level of IT or cybersecurity experience?

   • Beginner (CompTIA+)
   • Intermediate or advanced (CEH)

2. Do you prefer focusing on security fundamentals and broad cybersecurity knowledge?

   • Yes (CompTIA+)
   • No (CEH)

3. Are you more interested in ethical hacking and penetration testing rather than general security principles?

   • Yes (CEH)
   • No (CompTIA+)

4. How familiar are you with networking concepts like TCP/IP, DNS, and firewall configuration?

   • Very familiar
   • Somewhat familiar
   • Not familiar

5. Do you want a certification that’s more hands-on and focused on hacking techniques?

   • Yes (CEH)
   • No (CompTIA+)

6. Are you looking for a certification that covers a broad range of IT topics, including networking and cloud security?

   • Yes (CompTIA+)
   • No (CEH)

7. Do you want to pursue a certification that’s widely recognized for entry-level cybersecurity jobs?

   • Yes (CompTIA+)
   • No (CEH)

8. How comfortable are you with penetration testing tools like Metasploit and Nmap?

   • Very comfortable
   • Somewhat comfortable
   • Not comfortable

9. Would you prefer a certification that covers compliance, risk management, and security policies?

   • Yes (CompTIA+)
   • No (CEH)

10. Do you want to start your career as a network administrator, systems administrator, or security analyst?

    • Yes (CompTIA+)
    • No (CEH)

11. Are you interested in advanced cybersecurity roles like penetration tester or red team member?

    • Yes (CEH)
    • No (CompTIA+)

12. Are you willing to spend several months preparing for a certification exam?

    • Yes (CEH)
    • No (CompTIA+)

13. Do you enjoy problem-solving and figuring out vulnerabilities in systems?

    • Yes (CEH)
    • No (CompTIA+)

14. Are you comfortable with theoretical knowledge being a major part of the certification?

    • Yes (CompTIA+)
    • No (CEH)

15. Do you plan to work in government or corporate security roles that require a well-rounded IT certification?

    • Yes (CompTIA+)
    • No (CEH)

16. How confident are you in your understanding of basic security concepts like encryption, threat management, and network protection?

    • Very confident
    • Somewhat confident
    • Not confident

17. Do you want a certification that tests your ability to ethically hack into systems and identify security vulnerabilities?

    • Yes (CEH)
    • No (CompTIA+)

18. Are you looking for a certification that builds foundational knowledge for future advanced certifications?

    • Yes (CompTIA+)
    • No (CEH)

19. Would you prefer to work as a penetration tester or ethical hacker in the long run?

    • Yes (CEH)
    • No (CompTIA+)

20. Do you want a certification that covers a wider range of security-related topics, from cloud to hardware?

    • Yes (CompTIA+)
    • No (CEH)

Results and Conclusion:

Mostly CEH:
The CEH certification is likely the best path for you! If you’re focused on becoming an ethical hacker or penetration tester, CEH will provide the in-depth knowledge and practical skills you need. CEH is especially useful if you're looking to break into offensive security or red teaming, where you’ll be actively identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in systems.

Mostly CompTIA+:
CompTIA+ might be a better fit for you! If you’re just starting out in IT or cybersecurity and want a broad understanding of security, CompTIA certifications like Security+ or Network+ offer a solid foundation. These certifications are ideal for those seeking entry-level roles like network administrator or security analyst, and they are often required for corporate and government positions.

Mixed Results:
You could benefit from both certifications! Start with CompTIA+ to build your foundational skills in IT and security, and then pursue CEH when you're ready to specialize in ethical hacking or penetration testing. Both certifications can enhance your cybersecurity career and open doors to a variety of roles.