Becoming an Ethical Hacker: Tips for Pursuing Ethical Hacking After High School Graduation.

The security industry shook when FireEye, one of the largest security providers, announced that they had been hacked. It just goes to show the power of hackers and the need for ethical hackers to prevent such catastrophes!

Black hat hackers can infiltrate any network and manipulate it at will. So who can stop them? Well, only another hacker can outsmart them. Thus, certain hacking practices have been legalized to protect companies from malicious hackers. Every year, there is a growing number of job openings for ethical hackers, with a monthly increase of positions reaching up to 12% from an average of 4%.

This article will delve into what ethical hacking is, the different types of hackers, hacking courses post-12th examination, and careers in ethical hacking after 12th. If you're already in the field of ethical hacking and want to enhance your skills quickly, check out the Certified Ethical Hacking certification course.

The Meaning of Ethical Hacking

As ethical hacking gains popularity, let's take a closer look at what hacking is. In simple terms, hacking is the act of breaking into a system, network, or online entity to gain access to sensitive information. Hackers locate weaknesses and loopholes. For years, hacking has been associated with the misuse of networks, computers, smartphones, or other systems.

The power of hacking can be for good or bad intentions. Let's delve into the negative side of hacking and hackers. They are often thought of as lone rogue programmers who are highly skilled in corrupting systems, collecting information on users, stealing data and documents, and disrupting activities related to data.

But is hacking only about mining data and misusing it? Absolutely not! That's where ethical hackers come in.

A highly skilled expert with exceptional technical knowledge who can identify vulnerabilities in networks and systems is known as an ethical hacker. They work with the system owner's consent and are bound to adhere to the company's principles and seek permission from top authorities.

Although equally skilled, ethical hackers mainly use their abilities for the security of companies or other organizations by identifying loopholes in their security systems. Let's explore the differences between ethical hacking and other types of hacking by examining the various types of hackers.

Types of Hackers

There are two types of hackers: those who breach security and those who prevent such breaches. The practice of ethical hacking is commonly known as white hat hacking, and those involved are referred to as white hat hackers. On the other hand, unethical hacking is also known as black hat hacking, and the person who uses illegal techniques to corrupt the system is called a black hat hacker.

Apart from these two types, there is a third type of hacking known as Grey Hat hacking. Grey hat hackers tend to hack into a system without permission, but their intent isn't malicious. Rather, their primary aim is to notify the owner of any vulnerabilities in their system. However, Grey hat hacking is illegal as it involves unauthorized system breaches.

White Hat vs. Black Hat Hacker

The significant factor that classifies a hacker as ethical or unethical depends mainly on their intentions. Nevertheless, other factors can help distinguish between white hat hackers and black hat hackers, such as:

• Techniques Used

  White hat hackers often use the same techniques as malicious hackers to analyze how a system was hacked and to prevent further attacks.

Legality

White hat hackers typically have the owner's authorization and consent, while black hat hackers penetrate a system undetected. While the former is legally accepted, the latter is a punishable offense.

How to Become an Ethical Hacker After 10th or 12th

Now that we have a better understanding of ethical hackers and the different types of ethical hackers, here's the most crucial question: How can anyone become an ethical hacker?

To be clear, there are multiple methods to become an ethical hacker, and formal training isn't always necessary. However, gaining a certification from a reputable institution can provide management skills and be a valuable asset for your career.

If you've completed your 10th or 12th exams, there are three primary routes to becoming a proficient and ethical hacker. One option is to pursue a computer science diploma or B.Tech course. If those options don't interest you, specialized institutions offer certified ethical hacking courses, and online training, like the CEH V12 training course, are available.

Some advanced ethical hacking courses are open to direct enrolment. However, most advanced courses require completion of a relevant diploma or B.Tech degree. The following courses in India teach the best cyber security certifications and can lead to an excellent career in hacking:

• - Diploma in Computer Science

- B.Tech. IT & Cyber Security

- B.Sc. in Networking and Security

- B.Tech. Cyber Security and Forensic

- M.Tech. Cyber Laws and Information Security

- M.Tech. Information Security

- M.Tech. Computer Science and Information Security

- M.Tech. CSE (Information Security)

- CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) course

- SSCP course

- OSCP course

- CISM course

- CISA course

- CISSP course

While several online courses teach the basics of ethical hacking, one of the courses mentioned above must be completed to become a proficient hacker. Here are the eligibility requirements for ethical hacking courses after 10th or 12th exams:

1. Diploma: A 35% grade in 10th from a recognized board is sufficient for ethical hacking. After 12th, a two-year diploma program is available.

2. B.Tech and Engineering: Candidates must pass their 10 2 examinations with a minimum qualification mark of 50%, rising to 75% for entry into prestigious institutions like the IITs. Additionally, candidates must clear the cut-off for admission into B.Tech institutes.

3. B.Sc and BCA: Candidates must secure a 50% grade in class XII, while some reputable colleges need a 60% minimum score. The candidate's stream in higher secondary school must be science, with physics, chemistry, and math as major subjects. For B.Sc courses, any stream with English and math in the 12th standard will suffice, with a 50% minimum score. Ethical hacking courses are also open after 12th commerce in some institutions. Some colleges accept students who did not study math or English as compulsory subjects.

4. MTech

Those seeking admission into MTech courses must hold a Btech or B.E degree from a recognized college and pass the GATE examination to be eligible. Individuals who have completed a 5-year science course can also apply.

5. MSc and MCA

To pursue MSc, individuals must have completed a BSC degree from a government-approved college and attained a minimum of 50% marks. The admission process for MCA is similar, requiring only an undergraduate degree in BCA.

Diverse Career Opportunities After Acquiring Ethical Hacking Certification

Being an ethical hacker demands creativity as one needs to think like a hacker to detect potential flaws and loopholes in computer systems and patch them before a hacker breaches the system.

Embarking on a career in ethical hacking can be thrilling, given that it is one of the most popular and sought-after professions in 2022. Moreover, with an increase in cyber-attacks, numerous companies prioritize hiring ethical hackers to bolster their security measures.

Telecommunications, hospitality, financial institutions, internet-based ventures, aviation sector, immigration services, and government agencies actively scour for ethical hackers to safeguard their digital infrastructure. Ethical hacking is an esteemed and remunerative profession, offering the flexibility of working as an online freelancer or starting a cyber security firm. Certified Ethical Hacker salaries range from $35,160 to 6,676, with a median wage of $168,948 in the United States.

After taking hacking courses post-12th grade, a plethora of career opportunities opens up in this field. Here are a few of the most sought-after roles in ethical hacking:

• - System auditor
• - Security analyst
• - Encryption specialist
• - Secure programmer
• - Security manager
• - Network security specialist
• - System security architect
• - Ethical hacker
• - System administrator
• While most industries need ethical hackers, prime recruiters include IT firms, government, MNCs, tech companies, and consultancies.

Final Thoughts

To excel in ethical hacking, an individual needs perseverance and unwavering determination. After completing higher secondary education, an interested person can explore ethical hacking courses. As a newbie, one can opt for online or offline learning options, such as KnowledgeHut’s CEH V12 training. Irrespective of the learning mode selected, with persistent practice and patience, one can flourish and make it as a top-level ethical hacker.

Aditi, Senior Content Marketing Specialist at KnowledgeHut, is a prolific writer with a master's in English literature. She excels in writing long-form articles and catchy marketing copies. In her free time, she enjoys strumming her guitar and performing soothing songs. Scrolling through Instagram also helps her rejuvenate her mind!