My Path to Becoming a CEH Instructor: Interview with Gabriel Avramescu
At a time when few cybersecurity certifications focused on the attacker’s mindset, CEH stood out for its hands-on approach to ethical hacking. In this interview, Gabriel Avramescu, an experienced ethical hacker and penetration tester, shares how the CEH certification shaped his cybersecurity career. Through CEH, Gabriel built fundamental hacking skills, gained global credibility, and had the opportunity to become an EC-Council instructor, enabling him to grow professionally, contribute to the community, and lead impactful security initiatives worldwide.
What caught your attention about the CEH program?
What first caught my attention about CEH, approximately 12 years ago, was its well-structured program. It offered a hands-on approach to offensive security at a time when very few certifications provided a deep dive into the attacker’s mindset and methodology.
The blend of practical labs with comprehensive theoretical foundations made it stand out.
The knowledge was directly applicable in real-world scenarios, and I believe CEH remains an excellent starting point for anyone pursuing a cybersecurity career.
How did CEH benefit your career? Did it help you get higher pay, promotion, or the job you wanted?
CEH was my first offensive security certification, and it helped validate my skills in ethical hacking. It essentially marked the beginning of my career in offensive security. It opened doors to enterprise-level penetration testing projects, boosted my credibility with clients and employers, and helped me position myself as a trusted security trainer and consultant. Naturally, this led to higher pay and greater industry recognition.
How has the CEH certification impacted you?
CEH had a transformative impact on my career. It was one of the first globally recognized credentials I earned, but it also became a cornerstone of my professional identity.
CEH boosted my confidence, provided international recognition, and eventually enabled me to become one of the few official EC-Council trainers in both Romania and the United Kingdom.
How recognized is CEH in your organization and the industry?
CEH is highly respected both within my organization and across the broader cybersecurity industry. In fact, it’s one of the certifications required by the government to qualify for penetration testing in critical national security sectors. It continues to play a significant role in job placements and securing new projects.
Did CEH help you give back to the community in any way?
Absolutely. A few years after earning my CEH, I became a Certified EC-Council Instructor and began teaching CEH along with several other EC-Council programs. Since then, I’ve trained hundreds of professionals in person, spoken at cybersecurity conferences, and contributed to the ethical hacking community through knowledge-sharing and mentorship.
What was your favorite part of the CEH program? Why?
My favorite part was definitely practical labs.
These hands-on challenges simulated real-world attack scenarios, which not only deepened my skills but also made learning more enjoyable and engaging.
The practice-oriented approach enabled me to apply the knowledge directly during penetration testing engagements, allowing me to understand both the tools and, more importantly, the underlying methodology behind them.
Tell us about your journey as a cybersecurity professional.
My journey began with network and system administration, but I quickly transitioned into offensive security after discovering my passion for ethical hacking. Over the past 12–14 years, I’ve grown into a lead penetration tester, trainer, and founder of two cybersecurity education platforms. I’ve conducted more than 90 security projects globally and trained over 120,000 students through online and in-person programs.
I’ve performed penetration testing for financial institutions, telecom providers, pharmaceutical companies, and numerous other organizations. Today, I continue to focus on human risk management and AI-driven cybersecurity awareness through my platform Awareness.ai.
Do you attribute any part of your success to EC-Council? If so, what is your message for the team?
Yes, I attribute a significant part of my early and ongoing success to EC-Council. Their certifications and training structure provided the foundation upon which I built my career. To the EC-Council team: I genuinely appreciate your commitment to evolving your programs, keeping them aligned with real-world needs, and empowering thousands of professionals, including myself,to grow and succeed.
Conclusion
CEH played a pivotal role in Gabriel’s journey, offering structure, credibility, and global opportunities. It not only strengthened his technical expertise but also empowered him to train others and, mentor professionals. His experience highlights CEH as a powerful stepping stone for anyone pursuing a successful cybersecurity career.
About the Interviewee
