CEHv12 vs CEHv13: Ultimate Comparison

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is one of the most sought-after qualifications in the cybersecurity industry. As technology and threats continue to evolve rapidly, CEH certification too upgrades periodically to maintain relevance. The latest version CEH v13 AI was launched in 23rd  sep 2024, replacing the older v12 syllabus.

In this comprehensive guide, we explore the key differences and upgrades between CEH v12 and v13 across syllabus, features, evaluation formats, certification pathways etc. The objective is to help IT professionals understand the changes and decide the right version for their learning and career goals.

CEHv13 vs CEHv12:  Key Differences

CEH v13 represents a major overhaul to realign content with current practices and reflect industry trends. Some key distinctions between the two versions include:

Scope and Focus: CEH v13 broadens coverage to new domains like Cloud Security, Programming Concepts and Medical Devices Security. It has a stronger focus on mitigation compared to v12’s testing emphasis.

Evaluation Format: V13 assessment is only via a 180-minute online proctored exam with 50% more questions compared to v12’s combination of exam and hands-on assessment.

Learning Objectives: V13 syllabus outlines updated objectives under revised domains aligned with latest methodologies instead of v12’s more generic skill areas.

Certification Pathways: EC-Council has introduced new tracks in v13 like Technical, Operations and Management pathways for cyber roles along with the generic certification.

New Features in CEHv13

Application Security Testing: The syllabus has dedicated sections on vulnerability assessment, penetration testing and exploiting web applications integrated with DevSecOps.

Cloud Security Testing: It covers cloud infrastructure and platform testing along with container security concepts to reflect growing cloud adoption.

Medical Device Assessment: A new domain focuses on assessing connected medical systems and implementing safeguards due to healthcare industry risks.

Social Engineering Techniques: Advanced social engineering methods like pretexting and phishing campaign analysis feature prominently.

CEHv12 vs CEHv13 Syllabus Comparison

We breakdown some of the key knowledge areas and compare how they have evolved between the two versions:

Footprinting and Reconnaissance: V13 introduces schemas for footprinting business environments and expands coverage of open-source intelligence techniques.

Scanning Networks: The scope is widened to include wireless scanning, medical device discovery and external infrastructure mapping using tools.

Enumeration: New sub-sections cover services enumeration, DNS interrogation attacks and Active Directory exploration with emphasis on cloud and IaaS.

System Hacking Methodology: It delves deeper into post-exploitation phases like maintaining access, privilege escalation and conducting internal reconnaissance on breached systems.

CEHv13 Course Updates in 2024

New Certification Pathways : EC-Council will launch additional streams under CEHv13 in 2024 – Security Operations, Purple Team and Digital Forensics to provide focused learning paths.

Updated Training Materials: Official training partners will update courseware, labs and hacker tools coverage to align with latest exam blueprints effective January 2024.

Enhanced Practice Exams: The number and complexity of online practice questions will be increased with section-wise performance analytics and personalized learning recommendations.

CEH Certification Upgrade – v12 to v13

Eligibility Criteria

All active CEHv12 certification holders can directly upgrade to v13 by re-taking only the exam before their existing certification expires. No pre-requisites.

Transition Timelines

EC-Council will support the parallel run of both versions until Dec 2024, after which only v13 will be available for new aspirants and renewed certifications.

Upgrade Benefits

Maintain credential continuity, stay updated with changing landscapes, gain access to latest training resources and remain industry-relevant are some key advantages.

Costs Involved

The proctored online exam re-take charges are significantly lower than pursuing the full certification from scratch under v13 for eligible existing certificants.

CEHv12 vs CEHv13 Comparison

Exam Pattern: While v12 exam includes a lab assessment, v13 is only a 180-minute online proctored test with more theoretical and practical scenario-based questions.

Preparation Strategies: Unique study approaches are required due to increased question bank size and focus areas under v13 comprising additional domains and revised learning objectives.

Career Relevance: V13 credential will hold stronger job value due to coverage of contemporary techniques relevant across developer, cloud security and Operational roles.

Training Options: EC-Council accredited training partners have revamped classroom, virtual and self-paced v13 courses with hands-on labs for comprehensive learning support.

Differences Between CEHv12 and CEHv13

Here are the snapshots that makes CEHv12 different from CEHv13. Check it out.

Certification Pathways: V13 introduces dedicated career tracks besides the standard certification for streamlined skill acquisition targeted towards job roles.

Skill Domains: Additional domains in v13 syllabus like Cloud Security, Programming and MedTech broaden the scope and make it more rounded.

Evaluative Criteria: While v12 includes a lab assessment, v13 rely only on an online proctored exam with revised question types and blueprints.

Renewal Timelines: Certification validity has been expanded from 3 to 5 years under CEHv13 with a grace period of 2 attempts within 90 days post expiry.

CEHv13 AI Integration:

Below are the different CEHv13 integration aspects that you must know to acknowledge the difference with more clarity:

Adaptive Learning: AI and machine learning are used to map individual performance on practice questions and adjust future question type, difficulty level and concept recommendations accordingly.

Personalized Assessments: Proctored exams pull random questions from a personalized pool based on topic strengths/weaknesses predicted through AI during preparation phase.

Automated Evaluation: Some question response formats are auto-evaluated using natural language processing techniques like multiple choice, fill in the blanks and code simulation exercises.

Integrated e-Book: The digital coursebook is enhanced with AI search, interactive concept maps, note-taking abilities and simulated hands-on exercises powered by artificial intelligence.

Simulation Engine: A scenario-based simulation engine has been developed leveraging AI/ML to provide more immersive and realistic cyber range practice sessions.

CEHv12 Certification Overview

Below are the different aspects that you need to know about CEHv12 certification. Check it out:

Eligibility: A basic understanding of networking and 2 years of work experience is recommended apart from 10th grade education to pursue the CEH v12 credential.

Preparation Resources: EC-Council publishes official study guides, recommended courseware from training partners and practice labs to aid learning objectives comprehension.

Evaluation Process: It consists of a 4 hours multiple-choice exam carrying 125 questions and a 4 hours hands-on assessment test on penetration testing techniques and methodology.

Skill Domains: The v12 syllabus covered generic ethical hacking skills under broad areas like Footprinting, Scanning, Enumeration, System Hacking and Web Application Attacks.

Career Applications: CEH v12 helped validate fundamentals and methodologies for cybersecurity analyst, pentester, auditor and security consultant roles.

What’s New in CEHv13?

This upgrade has come up with several new attributes and we have it all covered below. Check it out:

Revised Learning Objectives: Upgraded objectives introduce key changes to the depth and breadth of knowledge required across new and existing subject domains.

Outcomes-focused: Skill applications, mitigation techniques and defensive strategies have been given more importance in the latest version compared to v12’s testing-oriented approach.

AI-enabled Resources: AI and adaptive learning are integrated into the CEHv13 courseware, online assessments and hands-on labs for personalized immersive preparation support.

Contemporary Coverage: Emphasis on Cloud, DevSecOps, IoT and Medical Device Security reflects industry trends while Broadening career relevance for roles beyond pentesting.

Technical Pathways: New certification tracks have been launched to facilitate deeper technical skills aligned to developer, infrastructure and management security functions.

Final Take

So, CEH v13 brings the credential upto speed with rapidly changing landscapes by introducing expanded skills coverage, revised methodology objectives, AI-driven resources and specialized technical pathways. These modernizations will help certificants remain confident in their proficiency and highly relevant for in-demand functions. Individuals should evaluate their career goals and timelines to determine the best version for validating applied knowledge and qualifications. Good luck!