What is Ethical Hacking - and how do I get started

What is Ethical Hacking - and how do I get started by Michael Cheary Hacking doesn’t have to be a dirty word…With the rise of high profile cyber security attacks seemingly never out of the headlines, you could be forgiven for thinking that online crime is practically unstoppable. But businesses around the world put millions into increasing the security of their sites â€" which is where ethical hacking comes in.Not sure whether it’s right for you? We spoke to Daisy Wallace of the Learning People, one of the UK’s biggest providers of ethical hacking qualifications, to find out more:What is Ethical Hacking?Ethical Hackers (also known as ‘white hat’ hackers, or penetration testers) are employed by companies to intentionally try and carry out attacks on their networks â€" and help minimise the risk of outside threats.Why is Ethical Hacking important?  With the number of devices we depend on growing on an almost daily basis, opportunities for hacking have never been greater.Businesses employ Ethical Hackers to find wea knesses throughout their networks, allowing them to be dealt with before they’re discovered by the wrong people.And with the amount of data we store online at an all-time high, the work they do could save companies billions of pounds every single year.How to become a HackerYou won’t necessarily need a degree to get into ethical hacking.There are a number of courses and hacking tutorials out there for anyone looking to learn to hack, and getting certified is the perfect way to get your foot in the door â€" not to mention add to your skillset and CV.At the very least, you’ll build extensive experience working with online networks and systems, not to mention a good knowledge of some of the most common computer hacking tools.See also: instantly start standing out to recruiters.Cyber security â€" become an Ethical HackerWhy work in Ethical Hacking?Sound like something you’d be interested in? Here are four great reasons to learn to hack: To earn more moneyOK, so money isn’t ever ything â€" but it does help.Careers in ethical hacking can pay upwards of £60k, with roles at the top companies offering six figure salaries for more experienced staff.You get to earn more money, and help protect peoples’ private data, all at the same time. When it comes to careers, it’s pretty much win-win. To be in demand Ethical Hackers are in high demand across a range of different industries.And with cyber attacks on the rise, some of the world’s biggest brands include ethical hacking as a big part of their online security strategies â€" and plenty of smaller companies are following suit.Essentially, the more we become dependent on our devices, the bigger the threat of hacks will get. And, as the threats grow â€" so will the number of hacking jobs.So if you’re looking for a growth industry, this is it. To build on your soft skillsWhen it comes to getting into hacking, it doesn’t have to be hard.Soft skills such as thinking outside the box, remaining calm under pressu re and good problem solving skills can be just as vital as your technical experienceâ€" and prove you have the right mindset to progress in the position.We’re not saying you have to put ‘I love puzzles’ on the front page of your CV, or explain how you can crack a Rubik’s cube in less than 60 seconds, but the industry is calling out for these kind of thinkers.Prove your ability to take a different approach, and you can start putting your skills to good use. To do something shady â€" without the criminal recordThe job of an ethical hacker isn’t so far from what an actual hacker does. OK, it’s pretty much exactly the same…But the good news is, what you’re doing is actually legal. And by finding answers to questions like ‘what would an attacker want to do?’ and ‘how could they do it?’, and trying to replicate a real hack, you can come up with some solid countermeasures to try to seal vulnerabilities.In other words, you get to do something shady â€" and get paid f or it.Whoever said there was no such thing as the perfect crime?Interested in Hacking? Talk to the Learning People today.The Learning People are one of the UK’s leading eLearning providers, specialising in world-class certifications in project management, IT and digital marketing.