Cybersecurity
Beginners Guide | How to Start a Career in Ethical Hacking? | Tips on Career Path
July 15, 2020 | By Parag
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Data breaches are happening worldwide over the past few years, and several companies are investing heavily in cybersecurity, thereby hire hackers to test the vulnerabilities in their system and to find out loopholes, if any. That means starting a career as an ethical hacker will kick-start your career in the cybersecurity field. Ethical hackers are the people who get paid by the companies when they expose and help to patch the security flaws legally. Sounds crazy?😉 Right. So let’s dive into it.
WHAT IS ETHICAL HACKING?
Ethical hacking is the act/way to discover the existing or possible weaknesses that a malicious attacker may find and may try to exploit. By finding out these vulnerabilities/loopholes and fixing them, companies prevent data breaches and other significant damages.
Ethical hackers use the same methods and tools used by malicious hackers. However, they will do these with the permission of the authorized person.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HACKERS?
Hacking is a controversial term for quite a long time because many famous movies in recent times portray hackers as the individuals who break into people’s/companies’ computer systems to still their data thereby doing illegal activities.
Generally, Hackers can be classified into different categories such as – White Hat, Black Hat, and Grey Hat.
1] White Hat Hacker:
All White-hat hackers are referred/termed as ethical hackers because there are the good guys, working with companies to strengthen the security of a system. White hat hackers are the individuals who try to exploit/compromise the systems if and only if they have permissions/authorities.
2] Grey Hat Hacker:
Grey-hat hackers are the individuals who try to exploit the computer systems in the way that black hats do. But, they do without any malicious intent, thereby disclosing all loopholes to the organizations.
3] Black Hat Hacker:
Black-hat hackers are the individuals who try to gain unauthorized entry into a system and attempts to exploit them for malicious reasons. They do not have any permission/authority to compromise the targets/systems. They often do to steal or gain access to passwords, private information, and other personal data.
Since all of these hackers serve different motives, organizations make use of all of them.
WHAT ARE THE SKILLS REQUIRED TO BE A ETHICAL HACKER?
Anyone who has a background in IT and is much interested in computers and network security can become a professional, ethical hacker. There are no fixed criteria for becoming a hacker. Every company has its own requirements, but having a degree in computer science or any other certifications in the cybersecurity field will be a great start.
If you are currently not an IT professional, you will have to learn the basics of:
- Computer and programming languages.
- Get Familiar with the programming languages by solving problem statements fro various platforms like HackerEarth.
- Various Linux distros (Kali Linux/Ubuntu) and Windows system architecture, administration, and management of operating systems.
Knowing the different programming languages will enable you to build tools that will stop the potential cyber intrusions and attacks on a network or system. Some of the best/essential programming languages you have to be proficient in are C, C++, Java, PHP, and Python, etc. However, Python/Ruby/Bash Programming Language would be a great start.
To know more in-depth, check out: What Are The Basic Technical Skills Required In Cybersecurity?
WHAT ARE THE CERTIFICATIONS NEEDED TO BE AN ETHICAL HACKER?
Again, having a degree in cybersecurity is like having a ticket to get into the train😉. By getting certified, you establish that you have the background knowledge on the particular domain which meets the needs of the industry.
One of the most valued certification which can help you make your way into the word of Ethical Hacking is the CEH (Beginners)/ OSCP (Having min. 3+ year of Experience ).
To know more in-depth, check out: What Are The Top-rated Certifications In Cybersecurity?
AVAILABLE RESOURCES:
PDF:
- The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing: Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing Made Easy
- Hacking: The Art of Exploitation
Best YouTube Channels:
Best Youtube Series:
- The Complete Linux Course: Beginner to Power User!
- Full Ethical Hacking Course – Beginner Network Penetration Testing (2019)
- Learn Ethical Hacking With Kali Linux | Ethical Hacking Tutorial | Kali Linux Tutorial | Edureka
- The Complete Kali Linux Course: Beginner to Advanced! w/English Subtitles
Lastly, once you are done with the above exams/certifications, your creative thinking, as well as a passion for cybersecurity alone, can make you touch the peak of your career with really high payouts and rewards. Going by the current requirement rate, this is the best time to dig into this field and earn the best bonuses/rewards.
So, don’t just sit there. Go, Hack! (legally) 😉
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