Can You Become An Ethical Hacker?

Ethical hackers are individuals who perform security assessments of companies and their computer systems with the permission of concerned authorities. They also prevent more dark-minded hackers from hacking into such systems. Ethical hacking is generally defined as the process by which vulnerabilities in systems are discovered to ensure system security – a process achieved with hacking abilities and tools.

Historically, hackers have been described using the terms “whitehats” and “blackhats,” respectively. People have used those terms to distinguish the “good” hackers from the “bad” hackers. While both are still commonly used, at least one of the terms may not adequately describe the various roles in the modern cybersecurity world. Although blackhat hackers are still the bad guys, the good guys are better described today using terms like “red team,” “blue team,” “purple team,” penetration tester, and ethical hacker. Red teams offer offensive security services, and blue teams provide defensive services. Purple teams, being the combination of red and blue, provide some of each security service type. Just remember that the term “ethical hacker” comprises all security professionals that provide offensive hacking services, whether red team, penetration tester (or “pentester”), or freelance offensive consultant. Businesses and companies often place such security services under their threat and vulnerability management groups. 

A purpose (and roles) for being ethical

To view security from an enemy’s viewpoint to find vulnerabilities that dark-minded entities could exploit, and secure those vulnerabilities, is an ethical hacker’s main purpose. Doing so provides the other defense or security teams with opportunities to further secure the system by devising patches and fixes before real cyberattacks happen. Simulating cyberattacks in a controlled environment is good to prepare for such occurrences. Ethical hackers are valuable to any company as they provide services related to testing security systems and devices, checking perimeter penetration vulnerabilities, and other weaknesses that anyone can exploit deep within any network or application.

Ethical hackers can fulfill roles such as independent freelance consultants employed by a firm specializing in simulated offensive cybersecurity services, providers of managed services in Kansas City, or in-house employees protecting a company’s website and applications. To truly be “professional hackers,” working knowledge of current cyberattack methods and tools is required across the mentioned employment options. However, employers may require their in-house ethical hackers to know only one or two digital asset or software types. 

What you need to become an ethical hacker

Yes, hacking skills and expertise are essential for any hacking job. However, an ethical hacker must have the right education and certification to be hired for any legitimate professional job. Some certifications specific to ethical hacking are the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification. 

• One of the global leaders in cyber security, EC-Council, describes their CEH certification as certifying that someone is “a skilled professional who understands and knows how to look for weaknesses and vulnerabilities in target systems and uses the same knowledge and tools as a malicious hacker, but in a lawful and legitimate manner to assess the security posture of a target system…”

• Offensive Security is one of the world’s leading information security companies. They describe their OSCP certification as making sure that “The successful examinee will demonstrate their ability to research the network (information gathering), identify vulnerabilities, and successfully execute attacks.”

Anyone from any educational background can learn to hack, but of course, it would be easier if you had a bachelor’s degree in any computer science-related field. Remember, self-study is needed to keep up with the world’s cyberattack methods and strategies. Regardless of your background in IT or how many cybersecurity certifications you have, it is important to keep learning. All tools and lessons you could need are online. And of course, ethical friends with all their knowledge are willing to help you learn to beat the blackhats regardless of your Internet connection or background.