A hacker was originally an individual who exhibited high skills in solving technical
problems. In this tech-driven society, a hacker is someone who exploits cybersecurity
defences by making use of technical skills. The hackers have now been classified into
various types. For example, a black-hat hacker or threat actor is an unauthorized
hacker who manipulates network data to gather intelligence about the workings of
the target system.
An Ethical Hacker, also known as a White-hat hacker, performs security assessments
to improve the organisation’s security posture. An Ethical hacker penetrates the
system with the authorization of the system’s owner and identifies the vulnerable
points in the system that the malicious attacker can exploit. The ethical hacking
process is also known as penetration testing. Ethical hackers usually duplicate the
techniques and methods followed by the black-hat hackers and help avoid data
breaches and other significant losses to the organisation.
Duties & Responsibilities Of An Ethical Hacker
As cyber-attacks are on the rise with each passing year, ethical hackers are in huge
demand in almost all sectors to boost cyber security. Those aspiring to become
ethical hackers should be aware of the Skills Required For Ethical Hacking.
Following are the major roles and responsibilities of an ethical hacker:
● To meet the client and obtain their approval to go through their current
security system
● To gather preliminary information about the host system regarding the
technology and security systems used by them
● To gain network access of the host and scan network topology
● To determine their scope of assessment and reveal the plan of action to the
host organization
● To launch a vulnerability assessment test on the target of evaluation
● To use automated & manual ethical hacking tools in order to launch attacks on
identified vulnerabilities.
● To document security flaws and vulnerabilities and create penetration test
reports.
● Identify the damage that the host can cause if a black hat hacker breaks into
the host system.
● To suggest security solutions to the host system/ organization
● To further conduct penetration testing after the implementation of new
security measures
● To find alternatives for the security measures suggested earlier after
conducting penetration testing
● To erase all traces of hacking by the ethical hacker after checking the
vulnerability, in order to prevent malicious hackers from identifying loopholes
in the system.
● To coordinate with the security team of the organization
● To maintain confidentiality in the penetration reports
● To develop a company-wide high-standard IT Security
● To stay up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity threats and IT Security
Standards.
Significance Of Ethical Hacking In The Present Scenario
Malicious hackers are resorting to new methods for hacking, and the cases of
organisational and personal data breaches are on the rise across the globe. As a
result, the demand for security solutions is increasing each year.
Recent statistics estimate that the market for cyber security is expected to reach 260
Billion by 2025. The following reasons indicate the reasons for the evolving role of
security in technology and the significance of ethical hacking in it.
● Rise In The Number Of IoT Devices
The last 10 years have witnessed a sharp rise in Internet of Things (IoT)
devices. IoTs are devices with software and other technologies to connect and
exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet.. IoT devices
range from ordinary household devices to sophisticated industrial tools. The
IoT devices are expected to rise by 10 Billion in 2025.
The rise in IoT devices has also resulted in a proportional increase in cyber
attacks. IoT devices have made it easier for malicious hackers to increase the
number of their targets in a small amount of time.
It has been found that many IoT devices have little to no security, and because
of this, malicious hackers are quickly gaining access to private data through
these devices. Therefore, Ethical Hackers have a crucial role in ensuring the
safety of IoT devices, raising the security standards of IoT devices, and
maintaining the quality of IoT services.
● Emergence Of Hacktivism
Hacktivism is a term that evolved from Hacking and Activism. Hacktivists use
a wide range of techniques that could lead to social chaos. Some of the
methods used by hacktivists include flooding a website and increasing the
traffic to the website, which results in the website crashing down or shutting
down temporarily.
Hacktivists sometimes steal and disclose sensitive data to the public or take
over social media accounts. Ethical hacking can help track down the source of
negative hacktivism and helps in protecting the organization from the damage
caused by hacktivism. In addition, Ethical Hackers sometimes join positive
hacktivism for the greater good, such as exposing an organization’s scandals
and the dark side.
● To Mitigate Social Engineering Attacks
Social Engineering attacks are becoming familiar with each passing day in
online mediums. Threat actors disguised as genuine persons often manipulate
people into breaking security in gaining unauthorized access to networks,
systems, or physical locations to get hold of sensitive data. Phishing and
Baiting are common types of social engineering attacks seen these days.
From general Internet users to CEOs are falling victim to phishing attacks.
Phishing attacks usually involve sending malicious links through email and
SMS, which often goes untraceable.’
Ethical hackers help set web gateways and test the strength of anti-malware
software in the organization. This would allow the organisation in mitigating
such attacks.
● Increase In The Rate Of Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware is a kind of malware attack where the cyber attacker locks the
victim’s data and other important digital documents and demands a ransom
(payment) to unlock and decrypt the victim’s data.
The rate of ransomware attacks has increased lately. Ethical hackers help the
organization avoid ransomware attacks by identifying and removing
vulnerable points in the security of essential data in the organisation’s system.
● To Secure Cloud Database
Cloud migration is on the rise among various organizations across the globe.
Unfortunately, cloud technologies are attracting more hackers with each
passing day. The lack of proper security in cloud databases will allow the
malicious hacker to gain access to every piece of data on the cloud.
Ethical hackers give valuable insights and solutions for the integrity and
security of the cloud. Thus Ethical hackers help the organization utilize cloud
computing and virtualization properly without causing any intrusion by
outsiders into the system.
● Perpetual Solution Providers
The technology is evolving so are the types of cyber threats. Finding security
gaps every time a technology emerges is the need of the hour. Ethical hackers
are the professional perpetual solution providers for the ever-evolving field of
cyber security.
Conclusion:
Only hackers can stop hackers, and an ethical hacker should have the mindset of the
malicious hacker and act accordingly to ensure robust and comprehensive security.
From protecting individuals from minor data breaches to protecting a country from a
national security breach, ethical hackers are on the frontline of cyber security.
Furthermore, with their continuous research, ethical hackers mitigate the threat
landscape’s expansion.