What is the difference between Ethical Hacking vs Penetration Testing?

Career: Ethical Hacking

AspectEthical HackingPenetration Testing
CertificationsCEH, OSCP, CISSPCEH, OSCP, GPEN
Work EnvironmentBroad security assessments, ongoing security improvementsFocused security testing of specific systems or applications
Employer & Industry UsageOrganizations seeking comprehensive security evaluationsSecurity firms, internal security teams, compliance testing

Ethical Hacking involves a broad approach to identifying vulnerabilities across an organization's entire security infrastructure, often including ongoing assessments. Penetration Testing is a more targeted activity focusing on testing specific systems or applications for vulnerabilities. While both roles require similar certifications and are used within the same industry, Ethical Hacking encompasses a wider scope of security evaluation compared to the more focused Penetration Testing.