How to Be Ethical Hacker - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 23, 2022 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The increased use of technology has led to a rise in cybercrime and unethical hacking. As a result, businesses are now more vulnerable than ever to malicious attacks, data theft, and financial losses. To protect their assets, businesses must invest in robust security measures such as firewalls, antivirus software, and encryption algorithms.

However, this is not enough to ensure complete security from cyber threats, as ethical hackers are needed to test and evaluate the defenses of the system. Ethical hackers, also known as white hat hackers, use their knowledge of malicious tactics to simulate real-world attacks and identify weaknesses in the system. By doing so, they help companies understand their risks and take appropriate measures to reduce any potential damage.

Steps How to Become

Learn the Basics of Networking and Computer Systems. Before you attempt to become an ethical hacker, it is important to gain a solid foundation in the basics of networking and computer systems. You should have a good understanding of how networks are structured, the various protocols and services that make up a network, and the fundamentals of computer systems.
Get Certified. It is recommended that you obtain certifications in network security and ethical hacking. Popular certifications include CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC). These certifications will demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the field and can make you more attractive to potential employers.
Learn Programming Languages. Ethical hackers must be familiar with programming languages such as C, C++, Java, HTML, and Python. These languages are used to develop software, create scripts, and automate processes. Having a working knowledge of these languages is essential for ethical hacking.
Develop Your Hacking Skills. While certification is important, it is also essential to develop your hacking skills. You can do this by participating in online forums, attending conferences, and reading books and articles on the subject. There are also numerous websites that provide tutorials on ethical hacking.
Practice. Once you have developed your technical skills, you should practice what you have learned in an ethical manner. You can do this by participating in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions or setting up your own lab environment. This will help hone your skills and give you real-world experience.
Find an Employer. Once you have developed your skills, it is time to look for an employer who will value your expertise. There are a number of employers who are looking for ethical hackers and security professionals with the right credentials and experience.

The ethical hacker is a reliable and competent professional who is trained to use their advanced technical skills and knowledge to identify security vulnerabilities and protect organizations from malicious cyber-attacks. To become a reliable and competent ethical hacker, one must have both the technical expertise to identify and exploit security flaws, as well as the knowledge of ethical hacking principles and practices. Knowledge of programming languages, operating systems, network protocols, and cybersecurity concepts are essential for success.

ethical hackers must stay up to date on the latest security trends and technologies, and understand the legal implications of their actions. By possessing these skills, ethical hackers can help organizations protect their data, networks, and systems from malicious attacks, ultimately leading to increased security and fewer data breaches.

You may want to check Digital Security Specialist, Cryptology Researcher, and Cyber Defense Analyst for alternative.

Job Description

Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker: Responsible for identifying security vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks and applications by using various penetration testing techniques such as network scanning, vulnerability scanning, web application testing, social engineering, etc.
Security Analyst: Responsible for monitoring, analyzing and responding to security threats and incidents.
Security Engineer: Responsible for designing, developing and implementing secure network infrastructure and systems.
Security Architect: Responsible for designing and developing secure architecture solutions to protect organizations from security threats.
Digital Forensics Analyst: Responsible for conducting digital investigations to uncover evidence of malicious activity or violations of corporate policy.
Incident Responder: Responsible for responding to and containing cyber security incidents.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strong knowledge of computer and network systems.
Expertise in programming languages, including C, C++, and Java.
Familiarity with security protocols and encryption algorithms.
Understanding of common operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.
Ability to identify and analyze system vulnerabilities.
Expertise in penetration testing and ethical hacking techniques.
Knowledge of computer forensics, including data recovery and digital evidence analysis.
Familiarity with cyber laws and regulations.
Knowledge of security tools, such as firewalls, IDS/IPS, and antivirus software.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.

Ethical hacking is an important skill to have in today's digital world. It involves the use of various techniques to identify potential vulnerabilities and security threats in a computer system or network. By doing so, it helps organizations protect their systems from malicious attacks.

This skill is becoming increasingly important as cyber criminals are constantly evolving their methods and tools to gain access to organizations sensitive data. Ethical hacking is also essential for organizations to protect their customers, as it helps them detect any potential security breaches which could be used to access confidential information. Furthermore, ethical hackers can develop solutions and strategies to prevent future attacks, ensuring the safety and security of their customers.

As hackers become more advanced, ethical hacking is the only way to ensure that organizations remain safe from cyber attacks.

Vulnerability Assessor, Cyber Intelligence Analyst, and Security Software Developer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in ethical hacking?
How would you approach the task of testing a given system for security vulnerabilities?
How familiar are you with writing reports and communicating the results of your tests?
Describe a project in which you identified a security breach.
What techniques do you use to identify and exploit security vulnerabilities?
How comfortable are you using scripting languages such as Python and Ruby?
What experience do you have with penetration testing?
What tools and techniques do you use to stay up-to-date on the latest security threats?
How do you ensure that the systems you test remain secure after the testing is completed?
How do you handle complex ethical hacking tasks?

Common Tools in Industry

Nmap. Network mapping and port scanning tool used to discover hosts and services on a network. (eg: nmap -sV 192. 168. 1. 0/24)
Wireshark. Network packet analyzer used to capture and analyze packets. (eg: wireshark -i eth0)
Metasploit. Exploitation tool used to test and exploit vulnerabilities in systems. (eg: msfconsole)
Aircrack-ng. Wireless security auditing tool used to crack or recover wireless network keys. (eg: aircrack-ng -b )
John the Ripper. Password cracking tool used to detect weak passwords. (eg: john --wordlist= )
Burp Suite. Web application security testing tool used to find vulnerabilities in web applications. (eg: burpsuite --proxy )
Nessus. Vulnerability scanning tool used to identify and assess vulnerabilities on a system. (eg: nessus --roles --credentials :)
sqlmap. SQL injection testing tool used to detect and exploit SQL injection vulnerabilities. (eg: sqlmap -u --dbs)

Professional Organizations to Know

The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)²
The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council)
ISACA
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
The Center for Internet Security (CIS)
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society
The Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST)
The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP)
The Open Source Security Foundation (OSSTMM)
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS)

We also have Cryptographic Engineer, Incident Response Analyst, and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Phishing. An act of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, or credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
Malware. Software designed to cause damage to a computer system, typically by gaining access to confidential information or disrupting system operations.
Denial of Service (DoS) Attack. An attack that attempts to make a computer or network resource unavailable to its intended users by temporarily or indefinitely disrupting services of a host connected to the Internet.
Social Engineering. A type of attack that relies on human interaction to gain access to confidential information or resources.
Vulnerability Scanning. The process of actively scanning networks and systems for weaknesses and exploitable vulnerabilities.
Penetration Testing. A security testing process that involves the identification and exploitation of system vulnerabilities to assess the overall security of the system.
Network Security. The protection of networks from unauthorized access and malicious attacks, as well as from other threats such as natural disasters and power outages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is an Ethical Hacker? A1: An Ethical Hacker is a professional who applies their skills and knowledge to assess the security of an organization's networks, systems and applications, and provide recommendations for improvement. Q2: What are the goals of Ethical Hacking? A2: The goals of Ethical Hacking include identifying vulnerabilities, assessing risk and mitigating weaknesses in order to protect an organizations data, networks and systems. Q3: What is the Difference between a White Hat and Black Hat hacker? A3: A White Hat hacker is an Ethical Hacker who uses their skills to protect an organization's networks and systems. A Black Hat hacker is an individual who uses malicious techniques to gain unauthorized access to networks and systems. Q4: What Skills Does an Ethical Hacker Need? A4: An Ethical Hacker needs skills in multiple areas, such as network security, software development, cryptography, programming, ethical hacking techniques and system administration. Q5: What is the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification? A5: The CEH certification is a globally recognized certification awarded by the EC-Council that validates the knowledge and skills of an individual in the field of ethical hacking.

Web Resources

How To Become an Ethical Hacker - ICOHS College icohs.edu
What Is an Ethical Hacker? Using Bad for Good in Cyber Security www.rasmussen.edu
Certified Ethical Hacker Training Course | Exam Prep polytechnic.purdue.edu