About the Lead Ethical Hacker
The PECB Lead Ethical Hacker programme is a hands-on, offensive-security course that teaches you to think and act like an attacker so you can find and fix weaknesses before real adversaries do. Delivered fully self-paced and online, it walks you through the complete penetration-testing lifecycle — reconnaissance, exploitation, post-exploitation and reporting — using recognised methodologies and real-world techniques.
Rather than isolated tools and tricks, you’ll learn a repeatable, professional testing process: how to gather intelligence on a target, model threats, exploit vulnerabilities, escalate privileges, pivot through a network and then communicate your findings in a report that drives remediation. It is ideal for security professionals who want to move into penetration testing or formalise the skills they already use.
Course Information
What You Will Learn
Course Curriculum
- Ethical hacking concepts, principles and terminology
- Legal, regulatory and ethical considerations
- Penetration-testing methodologies and frameworks
- Planning and scoping an engagement
- Passive and active information gathering
- Footprinting and OSINT
- Network scanning and service enumeration
- Threat modelling and attack surface mapping
- Vulnerability identification and analysis
- Selecting and adapting exploits
- Gaining initial access
- Working with exploitation frameworks
- Privilege escalation techniques
- Pivoting and lateral movement
- File transfers and maintaining access
- Evidence handling and professional report writing
- The six competency domains
- Preparing for the practical exam
- Revision and exam technique
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All You Need to Know
This programme suits professionals who want to plan and carry out penetration tests, including:
- Penetration testers and aspiring ethical hackers
- Information security officers and cybersecurity specialists
- IT professionals strengthening their offensive-security skills
- Managers overseeing ethical-hacking and red-team engagements
A knowledge of information security concepts and principles, and advanced skills in operating systems, are expected. A working understanding of computer networking and basic programming concepts is recommended.
The PECB Certified Lead Ethical Hacker exam is a practical, open-book examination: you must compromise at least two target machines through penetration testing and then document your findings in a detailed report. It assesses six competency domains — information gathering, threat modelling, exploitation, privilege escalation, pivoting and file transfers, and reporting. Completing the training earns 35 CPD credits.
What Our Learners Say
Solid, well-organized training. The path to strengthen our information security posture was clearly explained, and the practice materials before the exam made a real difference to my confidence.
I compared a few providers before choosing Profice for my Lead Ethical Hacker certification, and I'm glad I did. The materials on ethical hacker exam were current and the support team answered every question quickly.
Great value for the depth of content. The Lead Ethical Hacker training covered ethical hacker exam thoroughly, and the exam voucher being included made budgeting for it simple.
I'd been putting off Lead Ethical Hacker certification for a while, but the self-paced format made it manageable alongside a full-time job. Learning to strengthen our information security posture felt achievable within a few weeks.
The pacing suited a busy schedule, and the focus on ethical hacker exam meant I could start applying what I learned before I'd even finished the course.
Career Opportunities After This Training
A penetration tester legally attacks systems, networks and applications to find vulnerabilities before criminals do. The Lead Ethical Hacker course develops the hands-on exploitation, reporting and methodology skills this role demands.
Hiring Companies
Average Salary
An ethical hacker uses the same techniques as attackers — reconnaissance, exploitation and post-exploitation — to strengthen defences. PECB's practical Lead Ethical Hacker exam proves you can do this end to end.
Hiring Companies
Average Salary
A red team specialist simulates real-world adversaries to test how well an organisation detects and responds to attacks. The Lead Ethical Hacker course builds the offensive tradecraft red teaming relies on.
Hiring Companies
Average Salary
Frequently Asked Questions
A credential proving you can plan and carry out professional penetration tests — reconnaissance, exploitation, post-exploitation and reporting — against networks, systems and web applications, ethically and within scope.
A working knowledge of networking, operating systems and basic security concepts is recommended. There are no strict entry requirements to take the training and exam.
The exam includes a practical component where you complete penetration-testing tasks in a lab environment, alongside written questions. You must meet PECB's passing criteria to earn the certification.
Both cover ethical hacking, but PECB's Lead Ethical Hacker places strong emphasis on a real, hands-on practical exam and end-to-end engagement methodology, while EC-Council's CEH is heavily knowledge-exam based.
Yes — the exam voucher is included in the course package. Speak to a Profice advisor to confirm current pricing and what each package includes.