June 5, 2025
The threat landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, rendering the current security capabilities insufficient to keep up. This scenario highlights the growing need for proactive security measures such as vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and ethical hacking. The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is proving to be pivotal in enabling IT and networking professionals to transition to careers in penetration testing.
To understand the impact of CEH on the cyber community and professionals, the EC-Council’s CyberTalks team reached out to Basil McKenzie, a CEH-certified professional penetration tester. In this blog, Basil discusses his professional journey in cybersecurity via the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, which helped him transition from a Linux System Administrator to a penetration tester.
McKenzie describes how CEH served as a foundational milestone, opening doors to roles in network security and eventually leading to a penetration testing position at a major tech corporation. The blog also underscores the certification’s industry recognition, career-enhancing value, and potential for community impact while tracing a broader learning journey rooted in formal education and practical experience.
Why did you become a Certified Ethical Hacker?
I became a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) to deepen my knowledge of cybersecurity. When I entered the field straight out of college, I had limited experience. I began my career as a Linux System Administrator, but my ultimate goal was to become a penetration tester. The CEH certification was a critical step toward acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue that career path.
Did the CEH credential benefit your career? If so, how?
Yes, the CEH credential significantly benefited my career. At the time I earned it, I was working as a network security engineer and still aspiring to move into penetration testing.
How recognized is CEH in your organization and the industry?
Overall, it’s a well-established credential that represents a solid foundation in cybersecurity principles and practices.
Did CEH help you give back to the community in any way?
CEH has certainly opened up opportunities for me to give back to the cybersecurity community. While I haven’t fully taken advantage of these opportunities yet, I’m now eight years into my career and increasingly focused on contributing. The knowledge I gained through CEH has equipped me to begin giving back meaningfully, especially in mentorship and community engagement.
Tell me about your journey as a cybersecurity professional.
My journey began at SUNY Marshall State College, where I took a cybersecurity course on defense countermeasures. I learned about various tools and techniques, including Kali Linux, Windows system administration, and database management. That course revealed how vulnerable systems can be, which sparked my passion for cybersecurity. I started as a Linux System Administrator, earned my Security+ certification, and then pursued CEH.
Conclusion
The CEH certification has proven to be an important part of Basil McKenzie’s cybersecurity career, providing the technical foundation and credibility needed to grow into a more hands-on role professionally. From theoretical knowledge to practical hands-on experience for specialization in penetration testing, the CEH has served as a catalyst for Basil’s career advancement and skill development. Basil’s feedback reinforces the strong industry and professional recognition of the entry-level CEH certificate. For aspiring professionals, CEH represents more than just a credential—it’s an opportunity for deeper understanding, career advancement, and long-term impact in the field of ethical hacking and cybersecurity.
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About the Interviewee
Basil McKenzie is a seasoned cybersecurity professional and a certified ethical hacker with years of experience in ethical hacking, threat intelligence, risk management, and security awareness. Passionate about empowering organizations to build resilient defenses, he specializes in aligning security with business goals.
The post CEH as the Catalyst for a Penetration Testing Career: An Interview with Basil McKenzie appeared first on Cybersecurity Exchange.
Article posted by: https://www.eccouncil.org/cybersecurity-exchange/ethical-hacking/ceh-as-catalyst-for-penetration-testing-career/
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