Cyberthreats evolve daily, requiring proactive defense strategies. Security professionals equipped with advanced ethical hacking techniques and vulnerability analysis, skills are the current need of any organization aiming for proactive security. To better understand how the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification enables professionals to address sophisticated attacks and safeguard critical systems effectively, EC-Council reached out to Pablo Vivanco, an ethical hacker and vulnerability management specialist. This interview explores the motivation, value, and career impact of earning the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification. It highlights the importance of cybersecurity skills, hands-on learning, and the growing role of AI in ethical hacking. The insights offer practical guidance for IT and cybersecurity professionals pursuing career advancement.
What motivated you to pursue the CEH certification?
My primary motivation was to specialize in identifying vulnerabilities and helping organizations protect themselves from advanced cybersecurity threats. I reviewed certifications with international recognition, strong industry demand, and a practical learning approach.
CEH aligned perfectly with my goals and offered a globally respected credential in ethical hacking.
How did the CEH certification contribute to your career goals?
CEH significantly contributed to my professional development. It helped me specialize in vulnerability identification, earn an internationally recognized certification, and validate my practical ethical hacking experience. These factors strengthened my credibility and supported my long-term career objectives.
Did CEH help you get higher pay, a promotion, or the job you wanted?
Absolutely. Earning the CEH certification increased my responsibilities and led me to manage my company’s vulnerability management program.
It also enabled me to offer new services to other organizations, as many companies consider CEH a basic requirement for vulnerability assessments and ethical hacking roles.
What aspects of the CEH program are most valuable to you, and how have they contributed to your professional development?
The CEH program provides essential knowledge for identifying weaknesses from an attacker’s perspective. The hands-on labs are especially valuable, as they allow you to practice and apply what you learn in realistic scenarios. This practical exposure greatly enhanced my professional capabilities.
In your experience, how widely recognized is CEH in the cybersecurity industry, and how does your organization view its value?
CEH is highly recognized across the cybersecurity industry, as cybersecurity job postings list CEH as a basic requirement.
Due to its strong reputation, obtaining the certification significantly enhances career opportunities and signals valuable skills to employers.
Have you completed other cybersecurity courses? How does CEH differ from them in terms of skills, career value, and knowledge gained?
Yes, I hold certifications related to information security management and system auditing. However, CEH focuses specifically on identifying weaknesses across various technological environments. This enables deeper specialization in vulnerability analysis and ethical hacking, offering unique technical and practical value compared to management-focused certifications.
How critical or helpful do you think CEH is for career development in cybersecurity or IT?
CEH greatly enhances cybersecurity knowledge and skill sets. For professionals seeking to advance in cybersecurity or IT, this certification offers a solid foundation and significantly enhances career prospects and job opportunities.
Should IT professionals pursue CEH, and why is it essential in today’s digital landscape?
Yes, every IT professional should take a cybersecurity course. Even if they do not plan to work directly in cybersecurity, they will encounter security threats in their daily responsibilities.
Cybersecurity awareness is essential, and CEH provides valuable knowledge applicable across IT roles.
Tell us about your journey as a cybersecurity professional.
As a cybersecurity professional, my work focuses on vulnerability management, identifying system weaknesses before attackers exploit them, and recommending remediation. I also assist organizations in implementing cybersecurity best practices and complying with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
How has the integration of AI tools improved your ethical hacking skills and real-world efficiency?
AI tools provide a more personalized learning experience by adapting to each learner’s knowledge level.
They also help create more engaging labs and simulations, improving skill development and making learning more efficient.
Can you share an example where AI played a crucial role in one of the five phases of ethical hacking?
Cybersecurity still requires human expertise, especially in areas such as vulnerability management, where business context and judgment are crucial. However, AI significantly enhances detection speed, reduces manual effort, expands testing scope, and enables more automated incident responses. It is a powerful complement to human decision-making.
What benefits have you seen from integrating AI-based skills learned in CEH into real-world ethical hacking tasks?
AI tools improve understanding of emerging threats and AI-driven attacks. They support automation, expand analysis capabilities, and prepare professionals to handle new attack patterns based on advanced AI technologies. This leads to faster assessments and more effective identification of vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The CEH remains a highly respected certification that enhances technical expertise, strengthens career opportunities, and prepares professionals for evolving cyberthreats. With AI-driven tools reshaping ethical hacking, CEH equips learners with the essential skills needed to assess vulnerabilities, respond to attacks, and thrive in today’s cybersecurity landscape.
About the Interviewee
Pablo Vivanco
Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking, Deep Security
Pablo Vivanco is a seasoned Cybersecurity Leader with over a decade of experience across banking, fintech, e-commerce, and payment processing. Specializing in ethical hacking, cloud security, and agile methodologies, he is an EC-Council Certified Instructor and holds multiple certifications, including CISM, CISA, CEH, and CHFI, driving robust security practices globally.
