In a world where computing has become ubiquitous, and technology drives our lives, information security has become one of the biggest concerns. Also, as the on-demand flow of information increases, it is a necessity to safeguard personal data. Generally, information security refers to the process of protecting interconnected systems, data, and information from hackers and unauthorized parties.
Ethical hackers, or white hat hackers, have entered internet security. After finishing ethical hacking training and gaining a license, white hat hackers can imitate harmful attackers to rectify any errors. Additionally, ethical hacking involves digging up vulnerable areas of a network or system that can harm the user’s or company’s information.
White hat hackers make sure a client’s data is safe. Moreover, they examine and analyze a system’s defenses through approved legal methods. The most significant difference between ethical and black hat hackers is that the former complete a certified ethical hacker course. Notably, all the white hacking work is legal.
Defining a White Hat Hacker
An ethical hacker is an individual who possesses a white hat hacker certification. They use their skills to mimic malicious attackers and improve cyber security. Since white hat hackers are well acquainted with attackers’ tactics, they are ahead of intruders. Thus, they prevent any data breaches or identity thefts.
Most importantly, white hat hackers have permission to penetrate classified information. Afterward, they disclose all the vulnerabilities to the concerned organization or individual. Then they employ their ethical hacking certification training to fix the flaws before malignant hackers exploit the company.
How do White Hat Hackers Differ from Other Hackers
Ethical hackers are “the good guys” who perform hacking activities legally. Although they hack and crack a system, it is not for personal interests. Also, they follow specific rules and disclosure laws. Further, they assist the company in preventing attacks from the “bad guys,” or black hat hackers.
Black Hat Hackers
The second type of hacker is a black hat hacker, who does hacking activities to feed their own interest. To be more precise, the hacking they perform is illegal, and hence we consider them cybercriminals.
Besides destroying a network, they exploit security flaws for personal gain and use fraudulent means to blackmail them.
Gray Hat Hackers
A gray hat hacker stands in the middle ground. They do not swear allegiance to either side. To illustrate, they may have good intentions in hacking a system but prioritize personal benefits over the company’s security. For this reason, they might not reveal the flaws to the client.
Importance of White Hat Hackers
Our reliance on the internet is escalating and defying all predictions. Statistics calculate that by 2030, 90% of the population aged six and older will have access to the internet. Moreover, mobile devices will attain an all-time high usage and conduct the majority of online transactions.
Consequently, we can expect a rise in the number of cybercriminals. In other words, increasing internet consumption is a breeding ground for hackers. Thus, people can take certified ethical hacker courses as such studies are not only for commercial white hat hackers but also for those who wish to strengthen security for their home devices.
Moreover, there is a desperate need for white hat hackers as internet usage is skyrocketing. In addition to securing the data, ethical hackers test a number of elements and search for any loopholes in the company’s security system and fix them. As a result, companies readily hire professionals and pay them generously.
Regardless of your profession in the IT sector, it is wise to undertake ethical hacking training as it will give you an insight into the hackers’ tricks. Additionally, it will enhance your skill set, which many recruiters seek.
How do White Hat Hackers Work?
Although white hat hackers use the same tools and techniques as black hat hackers, ethical hackers do so to improve security. They are mainly responsible for the digital aspects of cyber security. However, they also learn to oversee hardware integrity in certified ethical hacker courses. Further, they provide the following services to any company or client:
- Penetration Testing (Pen-testing)
Organizations hire white hat hackers to fortify their defenses. Ethical hackers uncover security gaps and potential entry points. Ultimately, they fix the flaws and penetrate the system to test the updated configurations.
- Scanning for Vulnerabilities
White hat hackers use tools such as Netsparker to detect weaknesses in a web application. Additionally, they utilize open-source pen-testing tools like Nikto for automating the scanning process.
- Developing Response Plans
White hat hackers’ ethical hacking certification training allows them to simulate Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. Such attacks can degrade the performance of a network or completely disrupt its working. Therefore, ethical hackers use their technical skills to revert the attacks and help the organization run smoothly.
Possible Job Roles for an Ethical Hacker
Although most white hackers perform penetration testing, they can also consider other job roles with a white hat hacker certification. Some examples are:
- IT security engineer
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Intrusion detector analyst
- IT security administrator
- Network security analyst
How to Become a White Hat Hacker?
To begin with, you must have a fundamental knowledge of the field. Also, it would be highly beneficial if you are an undergraduate in a related subject, for example, computer science or programming.
Although all companies demand different credentials, completing a certified ethical hacker course will indeed increase your chances of getting hired. However, some companies prefer ethical hacking training or hands-on experience in the industry.
Conclusion
Most organizations and businesses hire certified white hat hackers to analyze their systems. Since ethical hackers do their work legally, they have become crucial for identifying vulnerabilities and improving information security.
White hat hackers report any flaws to the client and patch them before hackers attack the network. Additionally, they complete ethical hacking certification training to penetrate secure networks and test them.
In addition to increasing job opportunities in IT, the demand for ethical hackers is soaring in other fields as well. If you have a bachelor’s degree in a computer science-related subject, you can opt for a specialized white-hat hacker certification to step into the world of legal hacking.
You can visit GLOBAL TECH COUNCIL to learn more about ethical hacking and related topics.