Ethical hacking plays a key role in network security. The term "white hat" is often used to refer to
ethical hackers. Ethical hacking is a key component of the computer
and network security that checks security hygiene. The key responsibility of an
ethical hacker is to employ different modes of well-defined practices to break
the security of the system.
Ethical
hacking is a proactive hacking used to find security loopholes in the
infrastructure, network, and system. This is used to identify potential
security vulnerabilities and data breaches.
Ethical
hackers often use the same tools used by malicious hackers, but this is done
with proper authorization and the main intent is to pinpoint security weakness
in the network.
Is Ethical hacking
legal?
While ethical
hacking is still considered hacking of a system, yet it is a beneficial process
to maintain the security of the
network. This is done with complete authorization and perusal of the network or
business owner. This includes penetration testing or using other popular tools
to hack networks.
Businesses employ ethical hackers to simulate
actual hacking or data breach attacks. Since this is done with complete
authorization of the business owner, ethical hacking is legal.
Why is Ethical
hacking important?
Ethical hacking
requires in-depth and advance network expertise to scan vulnerabilities. This
is one of the best ways for any organization to identify security flaws in a
network and consider employing corrective measures.
An actual network hack or data breach by a
malicious user can be extremely risky and would damage the brand of the
organization. Ethical hacking helps an organization to remain proactive and
prevent such attacks.
Several organizations employ full-time ethical
hackers or consultants who can provide ethical hacking services based on the
organization's business. Every business domain is different and has different
security needs. For instance, credit bureaus or banks maintain personally
identifiable information (PII) and require more stringent security measures. Similarly,
an online retailer will have a different security need where payments need to
be secure.
Each business has different security requirements
in which a professional ethical hacker can identify and employ security checks
based on the business type. To make an organization's security more robust,
ethical hacking is extremely important.
What is the difference between Ethical
hacking and hacking?
It is important to identify the difference between
an ethical hacker and a malicious hacker. Similarly, it is important to know
the difference between ethical hacking and hacking. The biggest difference is
whether the hacking is done with the permission or not.
Some of the key differences are as
highlighted below:
- Ethical
hacking requires the approval and authorization of the organization.
Hacking refers to a malicious user gaining unauthorized access to the
network.
- Ethical
hacking is done with the intention to employ corrective measures to fix
the security vulnerabilities identified in the network. Hacking is done
with destructive intent and to gain unauthorized network access, sniff
packets, capture PII data, bring a bad reputation to a company, employ
data breach attacks, install malware or ransomware.
- Ethical
hacking is not hidden from the organization and is done with complete
perusal. Hacking is hidden and is hard to detect. Many times, hacking
remains undetected for several months. Hacking attacks are hard to
identify and trace. Hacking is reported to cyber experts to identify and
trace the root of the attack.
- Ethical
hackers identify and also provide remediation for security
vulnerabilities. Hacking is done with malicious intent does not include
these.
- Ethical hackers use pre-defined tools and practices to break networks and scan for vulnerabilities. Hacking is hard to detect owing to the multiple tools which are used. With an improvement in cybersecurity techniques, malicious hackers employ more sophisticated techniques to employ a hacking attack.
- Ethical
hackers are approved individuals belonging to an organization and working
as ethical hackers. Malicious hackers do not possess any such profile and
can be any individual trying to gain unauthorized access to a network.
- White
hats refer to ethical hackers. Black hats refer to malicious hackers.
Roles and responsibilities of
Ethical Hackers
Ethical hacking is
one of the complex profiles in network security. As an ethical hacker
an individual would
have to do the following:
- Identify
system security issues, vulnerabilities, and security pitfalls.
- Identify
vulnerable entry points.
- Identify
different attacks that are possible on the network and ways a malicious
hacker can disrupt the network.
- Provide
remediation to security issues and guide to fix network flaws.
- Identify
business security requirements and risks.
- Employ
re-attacks once a security upgrade has been placed to identify relapse of
any identified security issues.
- Provide
security reports, scans and analysis of network hygiene
- Need
to be abreast of the latest vulnerabilities, attacks, and tools available
in the market.
- Identify
illegal access or activity in the network.
- At
various stages, promote and reinforce security guidelines to various
groups in the organization.
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