Top 10 ethical hacking courses in 2025 to elevate your cybersecurity career

Career

Ethical hacking skills are still essential in today’s cybersecurity world. The list comprises the top 10 courses of 2025.

Each course combines practical learning and expertise-building to prepare learners for the ever-evolving threats in cyber defense.

1. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ offers a great introduction to cybersecurity, including network security, threat analysis, risk management, and an introduction to cryptography. It is a great entry-level certification program to those new in the IT security and ethical hacking field.

This certification qualifies the candidates to further advanced study in penetration testing or security analysis because it makes them aware of the basic security principles required in ethical hacking.

  • Format: Exam-based certification
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Duration: Varies by preparation
  • Ideal for: Beginners in cybersecurity

2. Ethical Hacking Techniques – Great Learning Academy

This ethical hacking course is a beginner to intermediate level course and can be used to teach learners practical skills in essential hacking tools and techniques, including Kali Linux, Wireshark, and Metasploit. It includes all the footprinting to the exploitation of web and wireless network vulnerabilities in the form of guided projects.

The cyber security and ethical hacking course also emphasizes the need to develop a personal hacking laboratory atmosphere, which will allow practice, as proficiency in ethical hacking is gained through repetition. The curriculum will contain case studies with real-life hacking scenarios to ensure that the learners are well-versed with both the defensive and offensive actions.

  • Format: Online, self-paced
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Duration: Flexible
  • Ideal for: Aspiring ethical hackers, penetration testers

3. Ethical Hacking: Mobile Platforms and Network Architecture – Great Learning Academy

In this Mobile Platforms Free Course, Learners get advanced expertise in the security of mobile platforms and wireless networks, particularly on the vulnerabilities and the vectors of attacks that are common in mobile and IoT environments. It involves the lessons of how to detect vulnerabilities and implement defensive measures in contemporary network topologies.

This Mobile hacking course equips cybersecurity practitioners to address the issue of securing mobile communications and wireless infrastructures, which are increasingly becoming more widespread as smart devices continue to proliferate. It also talks about network protocols, encryption and tools that ethical hackers use in these areas.

  • Format: Online certificate program
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Duration: Flexible
  • Ideal for: Network admins, mobile security enthusiasts

4. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – EC-Council

The CEH certification is a comprehensive course that embraces over 20 modules covering 550+ hacker techniques used worldwide. It includes foot-printing, scanning, enumeration, system hacking, malware threats, social engineering, and evading detection systems.

Besides theory, CEH emphasizes practical skills with hands-on labs simulating real-world hacking scenarios. 

This training prepares candidates for the globally recognized Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, which is awarded after passing the official exam.

  • Format: Instructor-led/online plus exam
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Duration: 40–60 hours of training
  • Ideal for: Intermediate cybersecurity professionals

5. Advanced Cyber Security Threats and Governance – Great Learning Academy

This Advanced Cyber Security Course is aimed at advanced learners and covers the wider picture of cybersecurity governance, risk management, and threat intelligence. Learners learn to understand penetration testing beyond the methods of technical attacks, using penetration testing to support security management strategies that align with organizational objectives and regulatory requirements.

The curriculum includes incident response frameworks and governance policies so learners can see how to run a cybersecurity program and meet compliance in a corporate environment. It’s the perfect for security analysts and managers getting ready for management positions.

  • Format: Online, certified
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Duration: Flexible
  • Ideal for: Senior cybersecurity professionals, IT managers

6. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

OSCP emphasizes hands-on penetration testing with a rigorous, practical exam requiring exploitation of vulnerable systems and detailed reporting. It’s widely respected for testing a candidate’s real-world hacking skills under exam conditions.

The course focuses on learning by doing, with extensive lab environments and minimum theory. This makes it ideal for professionals who prefer applied security exercises and hands-on learning rather than conventional classroom formats.

  • Format: Online labs and exam
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Duration: Self-paced, suggested 90 days of lab access
  • Ideal for: Experienced penetration testers

7. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP is a certification that targets professionals who are in the process of transitioning to cybersecurity management, and therefore it encompasses broad topics of security such as risk management, asset security, security operations, and network security architecture.

Although not oriented on practical ethical hacking, CISSP is highly appreciated by those whose goal is to get a leadership position to manage security policies, governance, and risk mitigation within an organization.

  • Format: Exam-based certification
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Duration: Self-study or instructor courses
  • Ideal for: Security leaders and managers

8. Certified Penetration Testing Engineer (CPTE)

CPTE covers the entire penetration testing methodology in a step-by-step manner through reconnaissance to report writing. It strikes a balance between theory and labs to make students ready to complete security assessments.

The program has been embraced both in the government and the private sectors; hence an acceptable option among individuals aspiring to become penetration testers and prove that they have practical and procedural knowledge.

  • Format: Instructor-led or online
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Duration: Varies
  • Ideal for: Security consultants, testers

9. Cybersecurity Essentials – Cisco Networking Academy

The course will provide a foundation in network basics, threats, and defense strategies that can form the background of cybersecurity as it pertains to ethical hacking.

Cisco’s vendor-neutral and as such has wide applicability and would make an excellent introduction to further ethical hacking training.

  • Format: Free online course
  • Certificate: Yes
  • Duration: Self-paced
  • Ideal for: Beginners and students

10. TryHackMe – Interactive Ethical Hacking Labs Platform

TryHackMe’s platform blends gamification with real-world hacking labs, offering learning paths covering reconnaissance, web attacks, network exploitation, and forensics.

This format encourages continuous, hands-on learning with immediate feedback, helping learners build confidence and practical skills needed for penetration testing roles.

  • Format: Online labs and certifications
  • Certificate: Platform badges
  • Duration: Self-paced
  • Ideal for: All skill levels

Start your ethical hacking journey

Start your ethical hacking journey with the foundational courses from Great Learning Academy and elevate your expertise with globally recognized certifications like CEH and OSCP. 

Staying up to date and certified in ethical hacking is your best bet for a successful and impactful cybersecurity career in 2025.