Ethical hacking is a method companies can use to beat hackers at their own game. Let’s explore ethical hacking and how you can get involved in it.
You may have heard of ethical hacking or “white-hat” hacking. It’s an increasingly widely utilized way to help companies uncover vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit later.
So, how does ethical hacking work and how can one get started? Let's find out.
Ethical hacking occurs when a person receives permission to attempt to break into an app or system or steal data. The individual mimics the efforts a malicious hacker would likely make. They then provide a report of identified vulnerabilities and suggested steps for remediation.
An ethical hacker must always operate within the scope specified by the client or another party who authorized the exercise. For example, a company may say certain parts of the infrastructure are off-limits or require the hacker to sign a non-disclosure agreement before beginning.
There’s also educational ethical hacking. People who participate in it register to use websites specifically set up to hack. As they do that, they learn skills to later apply towards a cybersecurity career if they desire.
People often discuss ethical hacking and cybersecurity in the same conversations because they recognize the connections between the two topics. Hiring an ethical hacker is only one step to take to strengthen an online infrastructure against future attacks. However, it’s often a vital one that alerts people to issues they can fix before it’s too late.
In 2021, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) launched a program with the help of Bugcrowd that lets ethical hackers find and report cybersecurity issues to federal agencies. However, people must follow the rules of engagement posted by the respective bodies.
In 2019, Apple had an invite-only program that tasked ethical hackers with finding iPhone vulnerabilities. Later, it allowed all ethical hackers to take part. The person who discovered the most flaws received a $1.5 million reward.
Some companies also run ethical hacking events where people gather and work in teams to uncover issues with a system. These are competition-style events, such as Pwn2Own, which company representatives often attend, seeking to hire new cybersecurity employees.
By this point, you might wonder: what can I do with ethical hacking? One option is to help company leaders improve internet security and avoid breaches. People in the corporate sector and elsewhere are increasingly concerned with taking cybersecurity seriously.
New laws and proposals continually endeavor to tackle known issues and require more accountability. For instance, the Water Quality Accountability Act for New Jersey ensures that water companies develop cybersecurity programs and mitigate the associated risks. President Biden also signed the K-12 Cybersecurity Act into law in October 2021, which aims to improve the internet security of the nation’s pre-college educational institutions.
In addition to this, ethical hackers can also play important roles in helping various sectors tighten their cybersecurity to meet regulatory requirements.
You may even find ethical hacking job opportunities from private citizens. Consider a case where a wealthy or famous family wants to install a smart gate and other connected security measures. They might hire you first to verify the products are as secure as manufacturers claim.
Some people may think ethical hacking sounds appealing but worry they waited until too late in life to pursue it. You can learn basic ethical hacking techniques at any age. After that, consider enrolling in an ethical hacking course.
Here are a few possibilities:
If you prefer in-person learning, a growing number of community colleges offer ethical hacking courses. Alternatively, some people begin studying cybersecurity at the university level and later focus on ethical hacking. If that applies to you, consider exploring whether your institution’s cybersecurity offerings include suitable courses.
Ethical hacking is a great way to put your cybersecurity skills to use without taking actions that could break the law or hurt your reputation. If you’re ready to apply your knowledge in ways that stop future cyberattacks, it’s an excellent activity to consider.
To learn ethical hacking, you have to hack like a criminal but be smart about it. Get started with these websites you can legally hack.
Shannon is a content creator located in Philly, PA. She has been writing in the tech field for about 5 years after graduating with a degree in IT. Shannon is the Managing Editor of ReHack Magazine and covers topics like cybersecurity, gaming, and business technology.
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