The concept of hacking was introduced in the 1960s in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The very first ethical hacking occurred in the 1970s when the United States Government hacked its own computer systems by using groups of experts termed as ‘red teams.’
If you are one who loves tacking and solving problems using an out-of-the-box approach, you are fit to be an ethical hacker. The hacking attacks on the security systems of organizations are increasing every day. There is a huge demand for ethical hacking professionals and those who have done ethical hacking certifications. Hackers are generally employed by core IT companies and other large organizations, and there is a need for ethical hackers in both the public and private sectors.
This article will act as a guide and inform you about the certifications to undertake and the skills to possess to become a sought-after ethical hacker.
What is Ethical Hacking?
It is a field of computer science that involves hacking an organization’s security system or computer network to find the vulnerabilities in the security system and improve the weak points that may be exploited by any other hacker for hacking the system and gaining access to sensitive and confidential information. In ethical hacking, the company that owns the system or network allows cybersecurity experts to test the system’s defenses. It is an authorized practice of bypassing system security.
Who is an Ethical Hacker?
An ethical hacker means a networking or computer expert who hacks the computer network legally to keep corporate networks more secure. Ethical hackers collect and analyze the information that is needed for strengthening the security of the network, applications, or systems. They help improve the security footprint of a system to better withstand attacks or divert them. Ethical hackers are trusted hackers who prevent a system from being hacked.
Technical Skills Needed To Become an Ethical Hacker
On a basic note, an ethical hacker must be a computer systems expert and must have strong programming and computer networking skills. After doing a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, it is recommended that you get some experience as a programmer, system administrator, or network engineer.
Some of the major hacking techniques you must be familiar with are:
- Session hijacking.
- Session spoofing.
- Password guessing and cracking.
- Network traffic sniffing.
- SQL injection.
- Denial of Service attacks.
- Exploiting buffer overflow vulnerabilities.
The key technical skills needed are:
- Knowledge of programming.
- Scripting knowledge.
- An understanding of databases.
- Networking skills.
- Ability to work with the different hacking tools available in the market, such as Nessus, Nmap, Cain&Abel, SQL Map, and Net Stumbler.
- Knowledge of multiple platforms such as Linux, Unix, Windows, etc.
- A fair knowledge of servers and search engines.
Some of the common vulnerabilities ethical hackers check for are:
- Changes in security settings.
- Exposure of sensitive data.
- Injection attacks.
- Breach in authentication protocols.
Components used in networks or systems that may be used as access points.
How to Become an Ethical Hacker?
To prove yourself in the field of ethical hacking, you would need many skills such as dedication, motivation, initiative, self-education, hard work, and formal training in ethical hacking. Some of the specific personal attributes that can help you become an ethical hacker are:
- Analytical thinker.
- Problem solver.
- Initiator.
- Trustworthy.
- Resourceful.
- Adaptable.
- Skilled in computer hardware and software.
If you are a computer science engineer or an IT graduate interested in ethical hacking, there are many courses available in internet security, cybersecurity, or ethical hacking. These courses will expand your knowledge of ethical hacking. While you can also enroll for a regular course offered by renowned universities, if you are looking for a self-paced course that lets you learn from anywhere, then the best option for you would be an online course.
Though there are several online learning platforms offering courses in cybersecurity or ethical hacking, there are only certain platforms that stand out. One such renowned platform is the Global Tech Council. Global Tech Council is a world leader of technical certifications. These certifications are accepted across the globe. They offer certifications in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, augmented reality, machine learning, virtual reality, and much more. The training sessions provided by Global Tech Council are carefully designed to impart in-depth, hands-on knowledge. These certifications offer comprehensive modules which have been curated by like-minded data science experts.
Some of the popular certifications they offer in the field of cybersecurity are Certified Cybersecurity Professional which is an instructor-led course and other self-paced courses such as Certified Information Security Executive, Certified Network Security Engineer, Certified White Hat Hacker, Certified Cybersecurity Professional, and Certified Wireless Security Auditor. Enrolling in these courses will provide you with specialized knowledge and help you gain the confidence and expertise needed to make your mark in the field of cybersecurity by landing lucrative jobs.
Conclusion
If you work as an ethical hacker, it is important that you always stay as an ethical hacker and refrain from engaging in black hat hacking as this may cost you your entire career. It is very important for a white hat hacker to work within the given boundaries.
If you wish to become a cybersecurity expert, check out Global Tech Council to know more about cybersecurity certifications.