6 answers
Clayton
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
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What education and skills does it take to become an ethical hacker?
I am in middle school and I like seeing people help companies get their firewall stronger and I wanna be a part of that percentage that helps companies.
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6 answers
amber flores
Technical Support
2
Answers
Belvidere, Illinois
Updated
amber’s Answer
Kickstart your journey in computer science! A lot of successful ethical hackers started off by securing a degree in this exciting field. While some roles are open to those with an associate degree, many prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related IT field. These programs are a great way to pick up fundamental skills in networking and programming. Plus, you get the chance to participate in internships during your degree. These internships are a fantastic opportunity to learn about cybersecurity and network support. So, why wait? Dive into the world of computer science today!
Earn initial certifications Several certification programs verify a computer science employee's knowledge, allowing them to get entry-level positions in the computer science field. The first major certification is the CompTIA A+ certification. A future ethical hacker can receive an A+ certification by taking two exams that test their knowledge of computer components and their ability to reassemble a personal computer (PC). Next, they can earn a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or CompTIA Network+ qualification before advancing their career. It's a certification that validates an ethical hacker's knowledge of networks, including troubleshooting, maintenance, installation and computer systems management.
Gain experience in network support The next stage before qualifying as an ethical hacker is network support. At this stage, ethical hackers learn to update, install and monitor security programs and test for weaknesses. Before securing a position as a network engineer, an ethical hacker can gain experience in entry-level or associate positions in network support, like serving as a network support technician or specialist.
Work as a network engineer Network engineers design and support networks and their work often condenses from a security aspect of data management to a security aspect of data management. Once you become a network engineer, you can focus on learning more about security measures and potential threats. You might also practice your own ethical hacking techniques and learn about penetration testing. Certifications necessary for a network engineer include CompTIA Security+.
Get a CEH credential
amber recommends the following next steps:
Thanks for your encouragement!
Clayton
Arpit Jain
Senior Manager, Engineering
6
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Arpit’s Answer
Hello Clayton, thanks for your intriguing inquiry. The realm of ethical hacking is vast, but here's a simplified guide to some key aspects that can assist you in becoming a proficient ethical hacker.
1) Solid grounding in computer science:
Familiarize yourself with programming languages such as Python, C++, and JavaScript. It's also crucial to grasp the fundamentals of networking, operating systems, and databases.
2) Certifications in ethical hacking:
Consider pursuing recognized certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Security+, or Network+.
3) Lifelong learning:
Keep abreast of the newest hacking methods and security flaws.
4) Hands-on experience:
Participate in online hacking contests or establish your own virtual lab to hone your abilities.
5) Ethical principles:
Always uphold ethical conduct and maintain respect for the privacy of others.
Keep in mind, ethical hacking is a demanding field that necessitates commitment and ongoing education. Begin by establishing a robust foundation in computer science and utilizing online resources to delve deeper into ethical hacking.
1) Solid grounding in computer science:
Familiarize yourself with programming languages such as Python, C++, and JavaScript. It's also crucial to grasp the fundamentals of networking, operating systems, and databases.
2) Certifications in ethical hacking:
Consider pursuing recognized certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Security+, or Network+.
3) Lifelong learning:
Keep abreast of the newest hacking methods and security flaws.
4) Hands-on experience:
Participate in online hacking contests or establish your own virtual lab to hone your abilities.
5) Ethical principles:
Always uphold ethical conduct and maintain respect for the privacy of others.
Keep in mind, ethical hacking is a demanding field that necessitates commitment and ongoing education. Begin by establishing a robust foundation in computer science and utilizing online resources to delve deeper into ethical hacking.
Thank you!
Clayton
Christina Williams
Technical Program Manager, Cybersecurity
2
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Explore courses on websites like Udemy. You can buy cheaper courses to help you understand the basics and see if this is a career you want to invest in further. Ethical hackers are also called "Red Teamers" so look for courses that has to do with being on a red team.
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Clayton
Saquib Saifee
Security Developer
1
Answer
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
Saquib’s Answer
The YouTube channel, The Cyber Mentor, served as an excellent initiation for me into the subject.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNzpcB7ODxQ&ab_channel=TheCyberMentor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNzpcB7ODxQ&ab_channel=TheCyberMentor
Thank you for the advice, Saquib.
Clayton
Heather Linn
AI Red Team
5
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Heather’s Answer
I've done this for a long time, and there tend to be three kinds of people I run into in the field.
The first kind read what other people have learned and repeat it without understanding it or thinking about it. Many of these do okay, but they are never great. They sit at the bottom of the curve doing manual work that is well understood by many people until someone smart either fixes the problem or automates the work.
The second kind read what other people have learned and understand it, making small modifications to it, or connecting related things logically. These people tend to do pretty well, generally. I'd put most of cybersecurity professionals in this category. Sometimes they understand why these things work, but mostly they do what they know works. But, many (not all) of these folks find themselves pressured to do more with less and spend a lot of time on problems that are hard for other people to justify spending a lot of money on.
The third kind care about what others have learned, but they spend more of their time learning things for themselves by understanding why things work the way that they do. Instead of copying a script that breaks a system, they learn the system inside and out, they experiment on their own, they find new ways to do things that others haven't thought of. They may also use what others have learned and adapt it, but more often they use that new understanding to pursue completely novel ideas. These folks tend to do very well, as long as their area of interest is valuable to others. For example, if you become really expert at breaking 40 year old video game consoles, the number of people willing to pay you to do that is probably smaller than if you become really expert at breaking a modern technology that everyone uses. These people spend most of their time trying to build solutions to very hard problems that no one else has solved. Every day is a new puzzle. People really want them to do what they want to do, because what they do is frequently something that no one else knows how to do, because no one else has been as interested in it as they have to figure out what they have learned.
The first kind read what other people have learned and repeat it without understanding it or thinking about it. Many of these do okay, but they are never great. They sit at the bottom of the curve doing manual work that is well understood by many people until someone smart either fixes the problem or automates the work.
The second kind read what other people have learned and understand it, making small modifications to it, or connecting related things logically. These people tend to do pretty well, generally. I'd put most of cybersecurity professionals in this category. Sometimes they understand why these things work, but mostly they do what they know works. But, many (not all) of these folks find themselves pressured to do more with less and spend a lot of time on problems that are hard for other people to justify spending a lot of money on.
The third kind care about what others have learned, but they spend more of their time learning things for themselves by understanding why things work the way that they do. Instead of copying a script that breaks a system, they learn the system inside and out, they experiment on their own, they find new ways to do things that others haven't thought of. They may also use what others have learned and adapt it, but more often they use that new understanding to pursue completely novel ideas. These folks tend to do very well, as long as their area of interest is valuable to others. For example, if you become really expert at breaking 40 year old video game consoles, the number of people willing to pay you to do that is probably smaller than if you become really expert at breaking a modern technology that everyone uses. These people spend most of their time trying to build solutions to very hard problems that no one else has solved. Every day is a new puzzle. People really want them to do what they want to do, because what they do is frequently something that no one else knows how to do, because no one else has been as interested in it as they have to figure out what they have learned.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Clayton
Adit Sheth
Senior Software Engineer
130
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Adit’s Answer
Fantastic to hear that you're keen on becoming an ethical hacker! Here are some key areas to concentrate on:
Education:
High School: Prioritize subjects such as computer science, math, and any other courses related to technology.
College: A considerable number of ethical hackers opt for degrees in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or Information Technology.
Certifications: Once you've finished college, certifications such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or CompTIA Security+ can provide you with the unique skills required to excel.
Skills:
Programming Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with languages like Python, C++, or Java. These are crucial for comprehending software and vulnerabilities.
Networking: Make sure to grasp how networks and the internet function (firewalls, routers, IPs).
Problem-Solving: To identify and rectify security issues, ethical hackers must adopt the mindset of attackers.
Tools: Master tools like Kali Linux, Wireshark, and Metasploit, which are commonly used for ethical hacking.
Begin with small steps, maintain a consistent learning process, and practice regularly! It's a gratifying field that contributes to the safety of companies. Keep fueling your curiosity!
Education:
High School: Prioritize subjects such as computer science, math, and any other courses related to technology.
College: A considerable number of ethical hackers opt for degrees in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or Information Technology.
Certifications: Once you've finished college, certifications such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or CompTIA Security+ can provide you with the unique skills required to excel.
Skills:
Programming Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with languages like Python, C++, or Java. These are crucial for comprehending software and vulnerabilities.
Networking: Make sure to grasp how networks and the internet function (firewalls, routers, IPs).
Problem-Solving: To identify and rectify security issues, ethical hackers must adopt the mindset of attackers.
Tools: Master tools like Kali Linux, Wireshark, and Metasploit, which are commonly used for ethical hacking.
Begin with small steps, maintain a consistent learning process, and practice regularly! It's a gratifying field that contributes to the safety of companies. Keep fueling your curiosity!
Thanks for the help.
Clayton