Top 7 Skill Requirements Needed to Become an Ethical Hacker

In this modern world, there is no digital privacy, and the chances of digital accounts getting hacked or cyber-attacks taking place are too high. Such type of situations enable Ethical Hackers to hold an evergreen demand in the modern world just as doctors do. Before we get to know How to become an ethical Hacker and what the essential requirements for learning ethical hacking are, let’s understand the answer to the question – What is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical Hacking involves an authorized attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, application, or data. The duplication of the strategies & actions of malicious attackers is one of the main tasks in an ethical hack. And, that’s basically the job of an Ethical Hacker. Still confused? Let’s get it clear by knowing it.

According to a report by CSO Online, the unemployment rate for cyber security professionals(including Ethical Hackers) is at 0%. This means, that acquiring white hat hacking skills will definitely land you a job offer.

Who is an Ethical Hacker?

An Ethical Hacker a.k.a Whitehat Hacker is a professional who tests an organization’s IT security with the help of penetration testing techniques. With this, the vulnerabilities towards a cyber threat/attack are identified. Further, the cybersecurity/IT security team tries to resolve, & strengthen the security. This helps to eliminate or minimize the risk factors.  Now, let’s see what it takes to become an ethical hacker.

Educational Qualification to Become an Ethical Hacker

Similar to our nation with diverse cultures, Ethical Hacking has professionals with diverse educational backgrounds. There are no standard education criteria. But, a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, information security, or even mathematics will make it easy for you to accelerate in the ethical hacking domain. Also, most companies put out their own set of educational requirements for recruiting a professional WhiteHat hacker.

Since Ethical Hacking is not about cracking our friend’s Facebook password or stealing someone’s personal data, It requires relevant industry-level skills to reach the top of the career ladder. Check the below-enumerated skills to become an ethical hacker.

Top 7 Skill Requirements to Become an Ethical Hacker

1. Penetration Testing Skills

A penetration test is commonly known as a ‘Pen Test’. These pen tests are the authorized simulated attacks performed on a computer system to evaluate its security. This means that – Pen tests help to mitigate the defects in a system before any actual attack occurs. So basically, ethical hackers do pen tests to perform vulnerability checks in a system. And, there are five stages in penetration testing: reconnaissance, scanning, vulnerability assessment, exploitation, and reporting. An ethical hacker is required to be a penetration tester with hands-on proficiency in various tools like Metasploit, Nmap, Wireshark, Hashcat, etc.

2. Computer Networking Skills

The interconnection of multiple computer systems is known to be a computer network. These systems are hosts that are connected using multiple paths to send & receive any data or multimedia. Some core conceptual knowledge & skills like Supernetting, Subnetting, & more others will help ethical hackers identify the potential security threats in interconnected systems.

3. Programming Skills 

Technically, Ethical hacking does not require hardcore coding. But, it is difficult to be an effective hacker without programming knowledge. Mainstream ethical hacking like XML injections, buffer overflows & other such techniques require proficiency in computer languages. Getting along with programming languages like C, C++, JAVA, PYTHON, JAVASCRIPT, HTML, PHP, C#, & .NET can be extremely helpful in becoming a high-skilled ethical hacker.

4. Database management systems (DBMS) Skills

It is quite essential for an ethical hacker to know how to fix the vulnerabilities & security threats of various databases such as SQL, MySQL, or Oracle. To create a safe & protected environment for the organizations’ data, relevant DBMS skills are necessary to perform operations on a database like CRUD(creating, reading, updating, and deleting) operations.

5. Linux Skills

Wondering why Linux? It’s because most hacking tools are built for Linux. Would you believe this fact? More than 90% of hacking tools available are written for Linux. Again, why Linux is chosen? Simple! The legendary Linux allows us to program certain aspects of the OS in a quick & easy fashion by using scripting languages such as BASH or Python. So, Ethical Hackers should brush up on their Linux skills for a smooth working journey.

6. Cryptography

It is indeed the responsibility of an ethical hacker to ensure that the communication between teams of an organization doesn’t leak. This is possible with cryptography, where an ethical hacker converts a normal text/message(plain text) into a non-readable form(encrypted text) known as ciphertext. All this is done to make the message incomprehensible to black hackers during the transmission of the message. Bless the Ethical Hackers working for WhatsApp! Without them & their end-to-end encryption feature, WhatsApp might be vulnerable to attacks from black hackers.

7. Wireless Network Understanding

Wireless networking is prevalent, and ethical hackers need to be familiar with wireless protocols, such as Wi-Fi, and the security measures that protect them. This knowledge helps them assess the security of wireless networks and identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by unauthorized users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey to become an ethical hacker is both challenging and rewarding. As we’ve explored the diverse skill set required for this role, it becomes evident that ethical hackers are the defenders against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

If you are interested in learning ethical hacking in a much easier way, enroll yourself in a certified professional online course from a recognized organization as that can give you a boost in your ethical hacking career.

FAQ

Is a strong programming background necessary for aspiring ethical hackers?

Yes, a strong programming background is essential for ethical hackers. Proficiency in languages like Python, C, C++, Java, or scripting languages enables them to develop custom tools, analyze malware, and write exploit code.

How important is knowledge of computer networking for an ethical hacker?

Knowledge of computer networking is critical for ethical hackers as it allows them to analyze network architectures, identify vulnerabilities, and understand data flows to pinpoint potential entry points.

What cybersecurity fundamentals should I focus on to pursue a career in ethical hacking?

To pursue a career in ethical hacking, focus on understanding concepts like cryptography, secure coding practices, common cyber threats, risk management, and security policies.

What resources and strategies are available to continuously learn and stay up-to-date in the field of ethical hacking?

Continuous learning resources for ethical hackers include online courses, certifications, cybersecurity forums, conferences, and engaging in hands-on practice with virtual labs and capture the flag (CTF) challenges.