How To Start A Career In Ethical Hacking

Ethical Hacking is a term that first originated from the floors of MIT in the US in 1960. But the process of intruding without permission dates way back to the 1900s and even before that. Before getting into the details of this article, let’s take a quick peek into the main segments of this article.

 

• What is Hacking?
• What are the different types of Hacking? 
• What is Ethical Hacking?
• Requirements of becoming an Ethical Hacker
• How to start a career in Ethical Hacking? (A rough plot)

 

So, What is Hacking? 

 

Hacking is a process of gaining unauthorized or illicit access (hack) to a computer system or network to cause damage or harm to it. The people behind these activities are hackers, who hack into these systems by exploiting their loopholes to breach defenses and steal data for personal vengeance or financial gain by selling them to 3rd party sources. 

 

What are the different types of Hacking? 

 

Hacking started flourishing in the later part of the 20th century, and today it’s classified into three major parts. 

 

• Black Hat Hacking
• White Hat Hacking 
• Gray Hat Hacking 

 

Black Hat Hacking is the process of hacking into systems and networks without proper authentication or authorization. In short, activities that gain illegal access to these systems are classified as Black Hat Hacking. Professionals who indulge in such activities are Black Hat Hackers. 

White Hat Hacking is a type of Hacking involving proper authorization and authentication. The professionals who conduct these hackings are White Hat Hackers. They work for organizations and enterprises to keep their systems and networks secure. 

Gray Hat Hacking, as the name suggests, is the mixture of White and Black Hat Hacking. Gray Hat Hacker is similar to White Hat Hacker, who works for an organization to protect their network, but the difference is that they are ready to break the rules and go the distance to protect the assets they are assigned.

 

What is Ethical Hacking?

 

In short, White Hat Hacking is Ethical Hacking! Ethical Hackers are those hacking professionals who take proper permission before exploring the IT security systems in place of an enterprise, their security measures, and dig out vulnerabilities, if any, to help them patch their security and prevent potential cyber-attacks. Enroll in any Ethical Hacking course online and master the art of Ethical Hacking through live sessions and hands-on experience. 

 

Ethical Hackers prevent any attacks before happening by surfacing the loopholes of the system that a Black Hat Hacker can take advantage of. They identify the weakness prevailing and suggest ways to fix it to avoid any breach of defense. Ethical Hackers help these organizations to stay safe and offer secure platforms for their users and indirectly save their reputation from being degraded. 

 

Requirements of becoming an Ethical Hacker

 

Now you know the basics of Hacking and the responsibility of Ethical Hackers. Let’s now dig into the prerequisites of becoming a successful Ethical Hacker or the skill-sets needed to become one. 

 

Technical Skills: 

• Expert in Operating Systems (Linux and Windows)
• Proficient in Programming Languages like Python, C/C++, Java, Ruby, ASP, etc., vary from company to company. 
• Advanced knowledge in Computer Networking and Security, Pentesting, Vulnerability Analysis, Virtual Private Network (VPN), Firewall, Cryptography, etc. 
• Must know how to handle Malware and create traps to fizzle Hackers. 
• Be aware of the various Cyberattacks and Modus Operandi of different Hacking groups, etc.

 

Soft skills:

• Ethical Hacking is an ever-evolving domain, so you must be open to learning new kinds of stuff daily. That is, you must always keep learning. Keep Upskilling yourself constantly. 
• Good interpersonal skills and master effective communication 
• Problem-Solving attitude and a team player 

Apart from these skills, you must acquire certifications from various recognized bodies to further validate your expertise in the domain. 

 

How to start a career in Ethical Hacking? (A rough plot)

 

There are no sure-shot ways to become an Ethical Hacker just by outlining different skill sets and requirements. It is an ever-evolving domain that requires different skill sets in different scenarios. So, I will suggest some tips that you must remember while pursuing your aim of breaking into Ethical Hacking: 

 

• If you are in your high school, select Science and Maths stream. 
• Have you completed schooling? Choose Computer Science, IT, or any other related domain to begin your journey to Erthical Hacking. Make sure to give due importance to transferrable skills while choosing the course. 
• Develop your skill-sets in the domain. Participate in Bootcamps, conferences, workshops, and pretty much anything that you find interesting as well as aligning with your goal. 
• Try for internships while undergoing UG or after as well. Develop Networking skills. Interact with your seniors, graduates, professionals with high dignity, and those who have achieved great feats in this domain. 
• Try for certifications, as it will instantly boost your profile. Go for industry-recognized certifications like from EC-Council, (ISC)2, etc. Start with CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) Certification, then go for Security+, CISSP, TISCA, etc. 
• Approach companies and professionals. Market your skills and achievements to them. Develop good communication skills and highlight your problem-solving skills. 
• You can also go for Higher studies rather than sitting for placements or approaching companies. Make sure to learn from recognized institutes to heighten your chance of getting better opportunities. 
• Always remember, this is not a typical 9-5 job where you can happily come home and take a rest. It becomes a demanding job sometimes and a normal job the other times. You must be willing to work at odd times, or even extra time at some emergencies.
• Ethical Hacking has high scopes in coming times, but the level of intake is less owing to the carelessness of companies in increasing security measures and the low supply of qualified Ethical Hackers. 
• It is not a conventional domain where you will be sure of fetching a great job. You must master the art of securing systems and networks and at the same time, pitch your qualities and abilities to potential clients to start your career. 
• Qualified Ethical Hacker with CEH Certification earns INR 5,02,886 and USD 93,856 in the US. With experience this figure goes up depending on your capabilities, experience, job location, company you are working for, and projects, etc. 

 

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