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Cisco certificate in Ethical Hacking

How the program works

Overview How the program works FAQ

Start with two steps—and keep going for more badges

Complete the Cisco Networking Academy Ethical Hacker course

  • Start with the Cisco Networking Academy Ethical Hacker course to become proficient in the art of scoping, executing, and reporting.
  • Pass the final course exam to earn your ethical hacker badge.
  • Your next mission, if you choose to accept it—navigate to Cisco U. and select at least one Capture the Flag challenge.

Pass at least one Cisco U. Capture the Flag challenge

  • Complete at least one of your favorite challenges with a 70% score or higher to receive your Cisco certificate in Ethical Hacking.
  • Challenges are themed to reflect the key skills required for the current threat landscape and expire after 90 days of purchase. They leverage what you learned in the Ethical Hacker course to expand your skills and propel your career in safeguarding against cyber threats.
  • Watch for new challenges and continue to complete them quarterly to accrue more ethical hacker badges—one per challenge.

Required Cisco Networking Academy training

Ethical Hacker

Become proficient in the art of scoping, executing, and reporting on vulnerability assessments, while recommending mitigation strategies. Follow an engaging gamified narrative throughout the course and get lots of practice with hands-on labs inspired by real-world scenarios.

View Ethical Hacker course details

Explore potential topics for Capture the Flag challenges

Elevate your offensive security skills by solving the most current real-world problems hands-on. Earn your Cisco Certificate in Ethical Hacking by completing a Capture the Flag challenge in Cisco U. and continue earning ethical hacker badges for each challenge you pass.

Review Capture the Flag topics

Available challenges on Cisco U.

Challenge #1

Wireshark-fu

Investigate an event and determine whether it is suspicious or a false positive.

Explore challenge on Cisco U.

Challenge #2

DNS Event

Use query tools to analyze a DNS event and determine whether it's suspicious.

Explore challenge on Cisco U.

Ready to become a key player in offensive security?

Head over to Cisco Networking Academy to start your free Ethical Hacker course.

Get started