Top 8 Skills Required for Ethical Hacking in 2024

Ethical hacking, penetration testing or white-hat hacking is a sub-field of cybersecurity that involves purposely finding weaknesses in computer systems, networks, or applications. Ethical hackers use the same techniques and tools that evil hackers (also known as black-hat hackers) would use, but their goal is to identify and fix those vulnerabilities before anyone can exploit them. Imagine you have a house with locks on all the doors and windows to keep it secure. Now, imagine you want to ensure your house is safe from thieves, so you hire someone to try and break into your house without causing any harm. This person, in layman's terms, is an ethical hacker.

Confusion arises regarding cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking, but while these terms are interrelated, they’re poles apart. Ethical hacking involves following strict rules and guidelines while conducting tests. Ethical Hackers always seek permission from the system owner they are testing and only try to access the system within the boundaries defined by the owner. Their main objective is to uncover vulnerabilities and report them to the owners so that they can be fixed and make the system more secure.

Ethical hacking helps to find vulnerabilities that malicious hackers could exploit. We need Ethical Hacking to:

• Identify weaknesses in systems to prevent data breaches, unauthorized access, and other cybercrimes.
• Protect sensitive information, such as personal data, financial records, and trade secrets.
• Enhance security measures by developing stronger defenses against potential cyber threats.
• Testing security controls to understand whether the systems can withstand real-world cyber attacks.
• Building users' trust that their personal information and online activities are secure.

You must be wondering what are the skills required for an Ethical Hacker. To become a successful Ethical Hacker, you must understand technical expertise, analytical thinking, and ethical responsibility. With the right skill set, it’ll take lesser time to become an Ethical Hacker. Here are some of the essential Ethical Hacker skills:

• Computer Networking
  Networking skills are needed to understand and manipulate computer networks for security purposes. Imagine a network as a web of interconnected devices, like computers, servers, and routers, all communicating with each other. Ethical Hackers must know how these networks operate, including IP addresses, protocols, and data transmission. They must learn to identify potential entry points within a network, such as weak passwords or outdated software. With this knowledge, they can effectively test the security of a network and uncover weaknesses.
   
• Operating Systems
  Operating systems (OS) for ethical hacking are software platforms that assist in securing computer systems. Think of them as toolkits with pre-installed hacking tools that help find and fix security weaknesses. These operating systems provide a controlled environment where ethical hackers can perform security assessments, penetration testing, and other tasks to protect computer networks and data. One such OS which is highly trusted for Ethical Hacking is Linux.
   
• Programming
  Programming skills are essential for ethical hacking. Think of programming as the language that allows hackers to communicate with computers. By learning programming languages like Python or C++, ethical hackers gain the ability to write specialized code and scripts that can explore and manipulate computer systems. These skills enable to uncover safety flaws and loopholes that malicious attackers could exploit. The most used programming languages by Ethical Hackers are listed below:
  • Python
  • JavaScript
  • C++
  • SQL
  • PHP
  • Java
  • Ruby
     
• Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT)
  Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) identifies security weaknesses in computer systems and networks. Vulnerability testing specifies weak points in the system that black hat hackers could exploit. On the other hand, penetration testing is like attempting to break into the system. The process involves imitating a real-world attack to see if the security measures can be compromised. By combining these two skills, ethical hackers can assess and strengthen the security of computer systems to prevent unauthorized access.
   
• Cryptography
  Cryptography is essential for ethical hacking. Cryptography is like creating secret codes to keep your messages private. Ethical Hackers learn about different cryptographic algorithms and protocols to keep the interaction between people within a business safe. Cryptography changes a regular message, called plain text, into a non-readable version called ciphertext while it's being sent so that it becomes impossible for hackers to understand.
   
• Reverse Engineering
  APIs are often used by diverse clients and platforms. API testing ensures compatibility across various devices, browsers, operating Reverse engineering involves techniques such as disassembling or analyzing the binary code of a program to understand its logic and behavior. It helps Ethical Hackers gain insights into how a system operates. Reverse Engineering aids in identifying security flaws, design flaws, or unintended functionalities that could pose risks. With this knowledge, Ethical Hackers can develop countermeasures or suggest improvements to enhance security and protect against spyware.
   
• Database Management Systems (DBMS)
  Database Management Systems (DBMS) are softwares used to organize and store large amounts of data in a structured manner. DBMS skills are important for Ethical Hacking because databases often contain valuable information that hackers may target. Ethical Hackers use their knowledge of DBMS to identify weaknesses in a system's database security. They analyze the database structure and access controls to understand how data is stored and protected. By understanding DBMS, Ethical Hackers can uncover sensitive data and help organizations protect this data by strengthening their database security.
   
• Problem-Solving
  Ethical Hackers need to be able to identify weaknesses in networks, applications, and devices and then come up with solutions. This requires a logical and systematic approach to understand complex systems, think critically to identify likely risks and devise strategies to mitigate them. Problem-solving skills also involve creativity to think outside the box and find innovative ways to exploit vulnerabilities and adaptability to respond quickly to new challenges that may arise during the hacking process. Good problem solvers in Ethical Hacking can evaluate the impact of their actions and ensure that their solutions are effective and responsible.

The industry outlook for ethical hacking is positive because the demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing rapidly. As more businesses become aware of the importance of protecting their data and systems, they invest in Ethical Hacking services. Moreover, with the rise of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing, the attack surface for cyber threats is expanding. This means there will be a continuous need for Ethical Hackers to keep up with the evolving threats and help organizations stay secure.

Regarding salary, ethical hackers are generally well-compensated due to the high demand for their skills. The average annual salary of an Ethical Hacker is $68,942 in the US and ₹5,739,422 in India. However, Ethical Hacking salaries can vary depending on factors such as experience, certifications, and the location and size of the organization.

In conclusion, to become an Ethical Hacker, you must possess the above-mentioned ethical hacking skills. These include a strong understanding of computer systems and networks, ability in programming languages, security concepts and tools, and excellent problem-solving abilities. Additionally, Ethical Hackers must possess high integrity and ethical standards, as their main goal is to protect systems and data rather than exploit them.

Continuous learning and staying up-to-date with cybersecurity trends are also important for success in the Ethical Hacking field. By combining these skills, aspiring Ethical Hackers can contribute to the protection of digital systems and contribute positively to the cybersecurity landscape.