Ethical Hacking. A great career for good peole


BY The Silver Academy
August 2, 2024

An ethical hacker at work

There is a worldwide shortage of Ethical Hackers.

Ethical hacking is about using computer hacking skills for good, protecting systems, and keeping the cyber world safe from malicious threats.

It involves breaking into systems (with permission) to identify vulnerabilities and help organizations strengthen their defenses, and is the perfect job for a wise ‘second careerer’ with a moral compass and a desire to work in flexible tech.

Why Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking is crucial in today’s digital age due to ever-evolving cyber threats. Companies, governments, and individuals need protection from these threats, making ethical hackers essential for safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring robust digital infrastructure.

The older the more ethical.

Yes! Ethical hacking is an excellent second career for anyone over 50 because:

Experience Matters: Your problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and methodical approach, and moral compass (hopefully) are invaluable in cybersecurity.

Continuous Learning: Ethical hacking embraces lifelong learning, with ample resources and supportive communities. There are new ways to improve your skills emerging almost every day.

Flexibility: Many cybersecurity roles offer flexible working conditions, including remote work. Freelancers are working.

High Demand: There’s a significant shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals.

Social good: Ethical hacking offers the opportunity to protect individuals, companies, and governments from cyber threats.

How Much Do Ethical Hackers Earn?

Ethical hacking can be a lucrative career. Salaries vary depending on experience, location, and education. On average, ethical hackers in the United States earn around $135,000 per year. Entry-level positions may start around £50,000 annually, while experienced professionals can earn upwards of £100,000 per year​ (Coursera)​​ (ComputerCareers)​​ (Edurely)​.

Is experience necessary?

Experience is not necessary. While having a background in IT can be beneficial, it’s not a strict requirement. Ethical hacking is a bit like prompt engineering. Yes you need technical skills. But those can be learned. But a good ethical hacker also needs life wisdon and experience. That can only be earned…

Here’s how you can get started:

Self-Education: There are many online resources and platforms where you can learn the basics of ethical hacking. Take a good foundation course. Try Coursera.

Certifications: Earning certifications can validate your skills to potential employers. Consider starting with certifications like Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). Check out Firebrand’s Ethical Hacker certification.

Networking and Community Engagement: Joining communities such as Discord groups or forums dedicated to cybersecurity can provide support and keep you updated on the latest trends and tools​ (FreeCodeCamp)​​  (Geekflare)​.

Practice, Practice, Practice. Hands-on experience is crucial. Set up a lab at home, participate in Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions, and join online communities like Hack The Box and TryHackMe.

Stay Ethical! Always seek permission before testing systems and ensure your intentions are pure. Your goal is to protect and secure, not to exploit.

Freelancing and Remote Work in Ethical Hacking

Working as a freelance ethical hacker is not only possible but also increasingly common. The rates  fro freelance hackers start at around £50 an hour, but can go much higher.

Obviiously flexibility and the opportunity to work remotely comes with freelancing. You can hack ethically from anywhere.

Platforms like Upwork and Freelancer are great places to start looking for freelance ethical hacking opportunities. Or to get an idea of the demand for ethical hackers, take a look at Linkedin.

Additionally, participating in bug bounty programs through platforms like HackerOne or Bugcrowd can be lucrative and provide valuable experience.

Books:

Hacking: The Art of Exploitation. John Erickson.

Hacking. The art of exploitation. This book helps the reader to think like a hacker- innovative, smart, and investigative. The book is renowned for its practical and hands-on approach to teaching hacking. It introduces readers to various exploitation techniques, such as buffer overflow attacks and shellcode development.

It doesn’t just stop with techniques but also explains the underlying concepts, allowing readers to adapt and apply their knowledge to real-life scenarios.

The author encourages readers to use their acquired knowledge for securing systems and understanding vulnerabilities rather than for malicious purposes. It is best recommended for anyone willing to get started with Ethical Hacking.

By the end of this book, you’ll have a strong foundation in hacking techniques and knowledge of how to secure systems against these attacks.

Gray Hat Hacking: The Ethical Hacker’s Handbook

Gray Hat Hacking: The Ethical Hacker’s Handbook is a comprehensive guide that covers a wide range of topics in the field of ethical hacking and cybersecurity. It covers topics such as penetration testing, network security, web application security, wireless network security, and more.

It delves into technical corners and provides in-depth knowledge of tools, techniques, and methodologies for ethical hackers. This makes it a valuable resource for readers who want to acquire a deep understanding of the concepts. The book has excellent real-world relevance and comes with examples for every theory.

Also, The Ethical Hackers Handbook  features lessons from various experts in the field of cybersecurity and ethical hacking, ensuring that readers benefit from a diverse range of perspectives and expert insights. On a wider scale, this book is particularly useful for readers who want to deepen their technical knowledge and skills in the field.

Ethical Hacking: A Hands-on Introduction to Breaking In

This book is a practical guide that provides readers with a hands-on approach to understanding the world of ethical hacking. It covers the fundamental concepts of hacking, making it a comfort book for beginners who want to build a strong foundation in this field.

The book introduces the readers to a variety of hacking tools, commonly used technologies, the efficiency of the tools, and how they can be used to identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities.

A Hands on Guide to Breaking in  also supplements the reader with learning resources, such as online labs, exercises, or supplementary materials, to help readers gain practical knowledge and apply the acquired lessons in real-life situations. This book is an excellent starter for those who intend to pursue a career in Cybersecurity.

Stay curious, stay safe, and keep hacking for the greater good!

 

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