Cybersecurity is becoming a significant worry for all industries as they move to cloud-based systems to run and store sensitive information. Adobe Systems’ latest data breach resulted in the loss of personal information for approximately 3 million of its users. As a precaution, top IT corporations, such as IBM, are investing billions of dollars to protect their data. Ethical hacking enters the picture at this point.
Ethical hacking is the technique of identifying flaws and vulnerabilities in current information systems or computers to assist businesses in improving their security measures. Ethical hacking frequently follows in the footsteps of hackers and other malevolent actors, imitating their tactics and tools. Penetration testing, intrusion testing, and red teaming are other terms for the same thing.
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Who to Call Ethical Hacker?
An ethical hacker, sometimes known as a “white hat hacker,” is a network administrator who uses hacking abilities to assess the security of an organization’s computer systems for defensive purposes. So if you are wondering how to become an ethical hacker, you should know that ethical hacking is mostly interested in the following data:
- What are the vulnerabilities that an intruder can exploit, such as information, places, or systems?
- With this information, what can an intruder see?
- What can the assailant do with the facts at hand?
- Is someone in the information systems already seeing or responding to such attempts?
Skills of an Ethical Hacker:
- Superior computer skills.
Although this may appear to be a basic ability, it is critical to being an ethical hacker. One should be very quick at managing fundamental computer skills, such as using the command-line interface in Windows or operating software, editing the registry, and setting networking configurations.
- Systems for database management (DBMS)
Accessibility to a database containing all of the firm’s data might put the organization at risk, so making sure that the technology is hacker-proof is crucial. To assist the firm in building a powerful DBMS, an ethical hacker must have a thorough understanding of this, as well as multiple database engines and data structures.
- Linux
Because most web servers operate on the Linux operating system, ethical hackers must be able to obtain access to this server to search for vulnerabilities. Knowledge of operating systems such as Redhat, Ubuntu, and Fedora, as well as their commands and GUI (graphical user interface), will offer you a significant advantage.
- The Use of Social Engineering
To gain access to personal information, hackers frequently employ techniques such as social engineering, phishing, and trojans. “Social engineering” refers to the psychological manipulation of users to perform acts or reveal private information that may endanger the business. Ethical hackers use these tactics to test for loopholes, making them a valuable talent to have.
The demand for ethical hackers has increased as a result of digitalization and emerging technologies such as block chain and the Internet of Things (IoT). According to Payscale, the average compensation for a Certified Ethical Hacker in the United States is $92,000, whereas in India it is 483,875 rupees.
Professionals who want to become ethical hackers could learn the skills on their own or with the support of specialists in the field. The EC-Certified Council’s Ethical Hacker certification is a widely recognized credential that teaches people about ethical hacking and equips them with the skills and knowledge they need to protect their interests. Proactively reading, studying, and studying the current industry trends and innovations would also help a lot.
