Ethical hacking is a legal practice that allows professionals to penetrate networks and systems to find vulnerabilities and threats that malicious attackers may exploit to attack the security architecture. Penetration Testing is another name for ethical hacking. It aims to fix vulnerabilities discovered during testing and improve the security of the network or system. Ethical Hackers use the same tools and methods as malicious hackers. However, they are authorized to use these tools to increase security and protect systems from malicious hackers.
To become a successful Ethical Hacker in 2022, you need the following skills.
1) Computer Networking Skills.
To become a successful ethical hacker, you need to have solid computer networking skills. A computer network is simply a collection of computers connected together so they can share information. There are several types of networks, including LAN (Local Area Networks), MAN(Metropolitan Area Networks), WAN (Wide Area Networks), which can all be used for different purposes.
An Ethical Hacker must know the topologies of various networks, including Bus topology and Star topology. Ethical hackers need to have strong networking skills to identify and fix any weaknesses or breaches in their network. To learn more about networking, refer to this program.
2) Computer Skills.
Computer skills refer to the knowledge and abilities that allow you to use computers and other technology. Basic computer skills typically include data processing, managing files, and creating presentations. Advanced computer skills include programming, managing databases, and running calculations within spreadsheets. MS Office, Spreadsheets, and Email are some of the essential computer skills. A solid understanding of computer systems is necessary for an ethical hacker.
3) Linux OS Skills.
Linux is an open-source Unix-like operating system that is based on Linux Kernel. It is free and open-source. The source code can be modified or distributed to any person commercially or not commercially under the GNU General Public License. In terms of security, Linux is considered a very secure operating system. This is why ethical hackers should learn Linux. Linux does not have 100% security, but it is less vulnerable than other operating systems. It does not need any anti-virus software.
To learn more about Linux, refer to this program.
4) Programming Skills.
Programming skills allow you to communicate with computers and give instructions for performing an action called code. Computer programmers create these codes to accomplish a particular task. Computer programming skills combine technical elements with logical ones. Programming languages include C++, JAVA, and PYTHON. We also can write code in HTML, PHP, JAVASCRIPT, and C#. These programming languages are essential for ethical hackers because they can identify vulnerabilities or errors within code.
To learn more about Programming, refer to this program.
5) Hardware Skills.
Computer hardware is the physical component of a computer. These include the CPU, monitor, mouse and keyboard, central processing unit (CPU), sound card, speakers, motherboard, and computer data storage. On the other hand, software is a collection of instructions that can be stored and run by hardware. Imagine that one wishes to hack a machine controlled by a computer. The hacker must first learn about the machine and how it works.
6) Reverse Engineering Skills.
Reverse Engineering refers to the process of recovering design specifications and functions from analyzing the product’s code. It creates a program database from which to generate information. Reverse engineering’s purpose is to speed up maintenance by making it easier to understand and produce documents that can be used to update legacy systems. Reverse engineering is a common tool in software security. It helps to make sure that there are no major security flaws. This helps make systems more secure and protects them from spyware and hackers.
To learn more about Reverse Engineering, refer to this program.
7) Cryptography Skills.
An ethical hacker must have cryptography skills. Cryptography uses a combination key (or factor) and algorithm (logic) to secure data. Many technologies and methods exist to protect data, such as encryption, hashing, digital signing, and decryption. Two types of cryptography techniques are used: Asymmetric and Symmetric. Symmetric encryption uses the same key to decrypt and encrypt, while asymmetric encryption uses different keys.
8) Database Skills.
DBMS is a method for managing and creating databases. Hackers often target databases to steal sensitive information. An Ethical Hacker should be able to identify and fix security vulnerabilities in different databases, such as SQL, MySQL, and Oracle. DBMS skills allow you to perform all operations on a database, including creating, reading, updating, and deleting. Understanding DBMS will allow you to inspect systems for data integrity.
9) Social Engineering Skills.
Social engineering involves convincing people to share confidential information. It is based on the fact that people don’t know their valuable information and are not concerned about protecting it. An attacker collects information about the target company from various sources, including its official website. This site contains employee IDs, names, and email addresses. The attacker then uses different methods such as reverse social engineering and piggybacking to carry out social engineering attacks.
To learn more about Social Engineering, refer to this program.
10) Wireless Skills.
Wireless networks are unlimited data communication systems that use radiofrequency technology to connect with devices and receive data. It uses electromagnetic waves to connect two points without creating any physical connection. An attacker could intercept these points and perform malicious activity. An ethical hacker must have a basic understanding of wireless technology.
To learn more about Wireless Skills, refer to this program.
11) Web Application Skills.
Online businesses are reliant on web applications. Everybody connected to the internet uses web apps for a variety of purposes, such as online shopping, email chat, and social networking. Web applications are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated attack vectors. Knowledge of web development allows ethical hackers to comprehend web attacks and learn web application hacking methods used by cybercriminals. An ethical hacker can use these methods to evaluate their organization’s protection against web application attacks.
To learn more about Web Application Skills, refer to this program.
12) Problem-Solving Skills.
Ethical hacking is an exciting career that will present you with new challenges every day. To overcome these challenges, ethical hackers need to be able to problem-solve and think strategically. Cyber threats are constantly changing. They must therefore be eager to learn new technologies and aware of newly discovered vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
It is an exciting time to be an ethical hacker. Due to the nature and demands of this job, it is vital to have several skills. The essential skills covered in this article will empower you to become a successful Ethical Hacker.
Hope you liked this article on Skills Required to Become a Ethical Hacker in 2022
Are you interested in kickstarting your career in Cybersecurity no matter your educational background or experience? Click Here to find out how.
