Another very exciting, hotly sought-after profession in the Cybersecurity field that came up recently was known as Ethical hacking, i.e. penetration testing or white-hat hacking. However, other money is being put towards hiring specialised hackers to keep their systems, networks and data safe from the threat of sophisticated cyberattacks. In this blog, we will discuss some skills required for ethical hacking.
What is Ethical Hacking?
Another term that we see pop up in references to legal hacking is ethical, which refers to penetrating legal networks and systems in order to identify natural holes and shortcomings in security. Ethical hackers, or white-hat hackers, use the same tools and techniques as malicious hackers, but for the good of building an organisation’s cybersecurity posture.
Skills Required to Become an Ethical Hacking
For an ethical hacker to excel, you need an equal mix of technical analytical skills along with some soft skills. Below are the key skills required:
In-depth Knowledge of Networking: Any ethical hacker should also be familiar with protocols being used in networking, TCP/IP, firewalls and routers before examining the weaknesses of network infrastructures.
Familiarity with Operating Systems: Most penetration testing tools run on Linux distributions, like Kali Linux, so ethical hackers must be taught well how to operate systems, especially Linux.
Programming Skills: One must possess knowledge of programming skills, write scripts in Python, C, C++ and Java and be exposed to code vulnerabilities.
Penetration Testing Tools: Security professionals must also be good with tools like Metasploit, Wireshark, Nmap and Burp Suite for vulnerability scanning and exploitation.
Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills: Penetration testing essentially just entails thinking like a malicious hacker and exploiting systems in ways no one would expect. A good analyst should be a good penetration tester.
Soft Skills: communication skills are also important for proper documentation of vulnerability and training for technical stakeholders.
Career Opportunities in Ethical Hacking
Rapidly rising demand from organisations towards cybersecurity and joining the cause for ethical hackers. Career paths in the field of ethical hacking are diverse, including various industries that hire ethical hackers.
Some of the major career opportunities are:
Penetration tester: Penetration testers are also known as pentesters; penetration testers emulate attacks on networks and systems to analyse its weaknesses. They serve security teams and help them to recommend and implement solutions. Such solutions are not only able to protect against further attacks but also to avoid the onset of future vulnerabilities.
Security analyst: An analyst will take care of security events across an organisation’s network, tracing and analysing alerts. For the sake of transition, an ethical hacker can serve in this area by using his hacking skills to capture and keep tabs on threats in real time.
Security Consultant: Security consultants advise organisations on how to enhance their cybersecurity strategies. Their work entails conducting audits, developing security policies and recommending security technologies.
Vulnerability Analyst: A vulnerability analyst identifies and reports software vulnerabilities and coordinates the developers of those vulnerabilities toward security fixes that prevent potential attackers from using them for their benefit.
Security Architect: Security architects design secure systems and networks to be resistant to a possible attack, creating great opportunities for mature professional ethical hackers looking for a supervisory job.
Bug Bounty Hunter: Many ethical hackers have bug bounty programs, a program where companies pay individuals to identify the vulnerabilities in their systems. This can even become a pretty good side job for experienced hackers or even a full-time job.
The Future of Ethical Hacking
Ethical hackers will increase as cyber threats become more complex. Industry reports suggest the global cybersecurity market is said to reportedly break the $400 billion mark by 2027 and would vastly contribute to the protection of businesses through Ethical hacking.
New advancements with artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things will have to be learned by hackers. Ethical hacking will depend on professionals who continuously upskill to be ahead of their adversaries. Such trends will only evolve more traditionally, demanding continuous training for ethical hacking experts.
Conclusion
With really high growth and career advancement, Ethical hacking is one of the most dynamic and rewarding careers a person can pursue. By continuously changing, with the right skills, suitable certifications and continuous learning, people can have an evolving and effective career in this domain. The London School of Emerging Technology (LSET) understands the demand and value of ethical hacking, so LSET brings you their ethical hacking course, which will help you build skills around Ethical hacking and grow your knowledge in the field.