What is Ethical Hacking - Eligibility, Courses, Fees, Syllabus, Job Profile

Ethical hacking involves an authorized attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, application, or data. Carrying out an ethical hack involves duplicating the strategies and actions of malicious attackers. Ethical hackers ensure the security of the companies' web assets. Basically, it is hacking but for the benefit of organizations rather than personal gain or invasion of ownership.

Ethical hacking involves an authorized attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, application, or data. Carrying out an ethical hack involves duplicating the strategies and actions of malicious attackers. Ethical hacking is one of the highest-paid careers, as the white hat hackers play a crucial role in protecting and weeding out bugs and tracking malicious activities. 

Any course that gives knowledge of computer languages, software, and programming can help you become an ethical hacker. BCA and B.Tech computer Science are the preferred courses. Many institutes also offer short-term (having a duration of months) hacking courses; some platforms do it for free, whereas some of them charge a particular fee. 
For instance, students can explore the platform called "Coursera," which offers various courses for a certain charge, but the platform provides the option of seeking financial aid for the students who cannot afford the actual fees. The next step of the process involves the evaluation of that financial aid plea that students post under the course mentioned on the interface.
After the approval of the financial aid, that particular course is automatically unlocked, and the contents of it are available for the students to follow.

Ethical hacking is legal and is certainly one of the fastest-growing and the highest-paid professions globally. It is hacking, but for the favor of the organizations. The white-hat hackers who invade the access of various sites but for the sake of security.

Ethical hacking requires various skills, like

• Understanding basic network protocols, TCP/IP, and network operations. Proficient in Python, Java, or C+ for scripting and automation.
• Aware of the basics of both Windows and Linux systems.
• Knowledge of tools like Wireshark, Metasploit, and Nmap.
• Ability to identify and assess security weaknesses.
• Strong analytical skills to troubleshoot and resolve security issues.
• Techniques to analyze application code for vulnerabilities.
• Understanding human elements and behaviors to identify security risks.
• Keeping up with current security trends and threats.
• Certifications like CEH or OSCP enhance credibility and knowledge.

• Freshers who are interested in cybersecurity and want to learn more about ethical hacking techniques and tools can go for this course.
• Professionals working in the tech industry who want to upskill and stay relevant in their field. 
• Professionals working in a different industry who want to switch to a career in cybersecurity need to learn the basics of ethical hacking. 
• Business owners and managers who want to better understand the security risks to their organisation and how to mitigate them.
• Anyone interested in protecting their personal information and devices from cyber threats.

All big organizations and MNCs are in dire need of a good security team in this era of the Internet. An ethical hacker can help big organizations by taking a job as a cybersecurity advisor for them. 

A very popular job profile these days, ethical hackers are in a lot of demand, and big IT companies such as TCS, Infosys, Cognizant, Wipro, and others are constantly looking for cybersecurity experts and ethical hackers. 

Since 2012, ethical hacking as a field has been growing at a rate that is widely outpacing all other spheres of cybersecurity and the IT industry. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, listings for cybersecurity jobs have increased by a whopping 75% since 2012. The pay scale offered to ethical hackers is impressive, too. Some reasons why you should have a career in ethical hacking include

1. Increased demand for information security professionals in both the public and private sectors, paving the way for more employment opportunities

2. Ethical Hacking has extended beyond the digital world and is entering the physical world, thereby ensuring a real-world impact

3. A booming job market, where pursuing an Ethical Hacking course may help you get a hike of 50-70%

4. Opportunity to work with big brand names like Visa, Cisco, Oracle, Reliance, GE, American Express, to name a few

5. It is a wonderful opportunity to network with new people and industry experts.

Ethical hacking and malicious hacking can be considered different due to the difference in intent and permission. Ethical hackers are authorized, whereas unethical hackers are not. Ethical hackers tend to protect the company system, whereas the malicious ones try to invade it in order to exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain or to cause harm, operating without consent and violating laws.

Step 1: The first step is to know the basics of networking and computers. Make sure you are aware of the basics of computer networks, how they work, and basic concepts such as TCP/IP, DNS, and HTTP/HTTPS.
You can also learn about operating systems, especially Linux and Windows, because various tools used in ethical hacking are Linux-based.
Step 2: Learn Programming Languages
You will have to gain some programming skills in languages that are related to security analysis, such as Python, JavaScript, or C. Programming knowledge is very important for understanding how software vulnerabilities can be exploited and for developing your own hacking tools.
Step 3: Study Security Concepts
You will have to delve into cybersecurity fundamentals, including encryption, authentication, and authorization processes.
Get knowledge of common vulnerabilities and attacks like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.
Step 4: Get practical with ethical hacking tools.
Use ethical hacking tools like Metasploit, Nmap, Wireshark, and Burp Suite. Engage yourself in controlled environments like labs or virtual machines to safely apply hacking techniques without causing harm.
Step 5: Engage yourself in practice scenarios.
Participate in online Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions and security challenges to test your skills in real-world scenarios. Practical hands-on training is far more important than any theoretical study material regarding ethical hacking concepts.
Use practice labs, such as those offered by OverTheWire, Hack The Box, or TryHackMe, which provide a wider horizon of scope of learning from beginner to advanced levels.
Step 6: You need to earn Certifications from various paid and free platforms (online or offline)
Consider obtaining ethical hacking certifications such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), or CompTIA Security+. These certifications validate your know-how skills and confidence in the competitive job market nowadays.
Step 7: Keep learning and exploring the various updates, new practices, languages, and tools in the marketplaces.
Follow the latest cybersecurity news and updates to stay informed about new vulnerabilities and hacking techniques.
Join forums and communities like Reddit's r/netsec or security-focused groups on social media to learn from and contribute to discussions with other cybersecurity enthusiasts and professionals.