Build a Career in Ethical Hacking

We enjoy the private space that social media and other websites offer but over the years the issue of cybersecurity has become a great concern for law enforcement authorities and for the netizens also. While most of the businesses and communications take place or make use of online technologies, the need for keeping cyberspace has become paramount. The need for the stringent laws for crimes and fraud over the internet gave rise to Cyber Law, a separate branch of Law that looks after the crimes related to cybersecurity. Besides having a strong judicial system to oversee the cases related to cybercrimes, the need for professionally trained hacking experts has seen an upsurge. Considering the need, Ethical Hacking has garnered immense popularity for being an unconventional career option for technology enthusiasts. 

What is Ethical Hacking?

The word ‘Hacking’ most of the time has negative connotations but Ethical Hackers deal with using technologies and hacking tools to contribute towards making online space healthy for the use of masses. The rise in criminal activities and global terrorism has made the internet an easy target to be used as a medium. Breaching security systems to steal data and banking credentials,  give threats and coordinate anonymously to carry out criminal activities are few malpractices associated with the internet. Governments partner with tech-savvy professionals with expertise in hacking to prevent online attacks. A popular choice for Computer Science graduates, Ethical Hacking is a great opportunity for students aspiring to make a promising career in Cyber Security.

Key Concepts of Ethical Hacking

The following are the key concepts of ethical hacking:

• Legal approval: ethical hackers need to obtain the legal permission from the system owner before accessing and performing a security analysis of the information and data.
• Boundary/scope: The hacker must work within the defined scope of assessment and keep the work done within the organizational boundaries and legal framework.
• Report the vulnerabilities: after assessing the system, the hacker must provide the information regarding the vulnerabilities and suggest methods to resolve those issues.
• Respect data sensitivity: this may vary depending on the organization, the owner may ask the hacker to sign an NDA( non-disclosure agreement) to prevent the sharing of sensitive data and information.

Roles and Responsibilities of an Ethical Hacker

Ethical Hackers work closely with law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity personnel to look after various aspects related to the security of the virtual world. With new hacking tricks and viruses being recognized every day, the task of an Ethical Hacker is highly demanding one.

Some of the roles that Ethical Hacking professional carries include:

• Creating scripts to pinpoint vulnerabilities including risk assessment and penetration testing.
• Developing low-level tools to improve security testing and monitoring processes. 
• Delivering detailed reports to executives and different teams who review security findings.
• Performing risk assessment across networks and both hardware and software systems.
• Devise strategies for digital data protection.
• Reviewing incorporation of security systems.
• Training staff to follow safe Internet usage practices and educating them about network security.

Courses in Ethical Hacking

Though, various courses like Diploma in Computer Science and BSc Computer Science offer an overview of the subject but students wishing to specialize in Ethical Hacking go for specialized programs. A number of universities offer bachelor’s and master’s level courses in the domain. Some courses like PG Diploma in Cyber Security are also becoming popular. Besides, offline courses, a spectrum of options are available to pursue the courses in online mode. Through practical coursework and a detailed ethical study of the field, the courses are designed for both professionals and aspiring students. Equipping students with the skillset to excel in the field, the courses are globally recognized, which means that after graduating from the university, a student can work anywhere in the world. Some of the best specializations in the field offered at various universities across the globe are:

University	Location	Course	Duration
Coventry University	UK	BSc (Hons) Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity	3 Years
West Herts College	UK	HND Computing: Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking	2 Years
PSB Academy	Singapore	Bachelor of Science with Honours in Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity	16-32 Months
Abertay University	UK	Ethical Hacking BSc (Hons)	4 Years
Dakota State University	USA	Graduate Certificate in Ethical Hacking	9 Credit Hours

Top Certifications for Ethical Hacker

Certifications are a vital component for the job as an Ethical Hacker. Not only do certifications enhance your opportunities to work anywhere in the world but also adds to your portfolio.

Few of the renowned certifications to power up your skillset include:

• CEH
• GIAC Penetration Tester
• OSCP
• CREST
• Foundstone Ultimate Hacking

Limitations

The following are the limitations of ethical hacking:

• Limited scope: hackers cannot work beyond the defined boundaries set by the organization.
• It may affect the system operation.
• Lack of resources: unlike malicious hackers, ethical hackers cannot access every resource or through every resource to assess data and information.
• Restricted methods: ethical hackers can only perform the methods which are legal and approved by the organization they are working for.

If you are someone who loves technology and wants to contribute towards making a world a safer place, then a career in Ethical Hacking is all you need. Posing new challenges to you every day, the career is set to test your limits. Looking for the best options to pursue your passion, Leverage Edu has a solution. Our expert career counsellors will curate a list of universities to help you choose the one best suited for you.