Top 10 Ethical Hacking Certifications in 2022
Ethical hacking is a security testing technique involving a pre-authorized attack highlighting security weaknesses.
Ethical hacking is a cybersecurity testing practice involving a pre-authorized attack. An approved hacker tries to ethically (with legal consent) find and exploit vulnerabilities in a system, software, or dataset to highlight security weaknesses. This article explains the role of an ethical hacker and the top 10 certifications to get a leg-up in your ethical hacking career.
Table of Contents
What Is Ethical Hacking?
Ethical hacking is defined as a cybersecurity testing technique involving a pre-authorized attack. An approved hacker tries to ethically (with legal consent) find and exploit vulnerabilities in a system, software, or dataset to highlight security weaknesses.
As cyber criminals develop new and sophisticated methods for targeting enterprise systems, it can be challenging to keep up. Companies need to put themselves in the hacker’s shoes and understand the attack approach they might take. This is exactly what ethical hacking tries to achieve. It enlists a technical professional with the same skills as a hacker and then authorizes them to break into IT infrastructure without malicious intent.
The ethical hacker then tries to break through the company’s cyber defenses, find unknown vulnerabilities, exploit weaknesses (including social engineering), and do whatever it takes to gain access to a vital application or dataset. Once this is achieved, the ethical hacker then submits a report to the company, explaining the steps they took to reach the system and how it could compromise the organization if the wrong hands were to access the data or app.
Ethical hacking has several benefits. First, it provides an outside-in perspective on the state of security in an enterprise. It can reveal hidden vulnerabilities and weaknesses that an organization did not factor into developing or implementing the system originally. Second, it also provides the enterprise with knowledge of tools and techniques that a malicious hacker may use. They can now strengthen their defenses by protecting against these specific criminal tactics.
Finally, ethical hacking helps protect new and emerging digital technologies that may not be well tested in the real world. For example, the industrial Internet of Things (IoT) is still not very common in small to mid-sized companies, and hiring an ethical hacker can reveal gaps in the infrastructure that would otherwise be overlooked. This is one of the key reasons to embrace ethical hacking as the pace of digital transformation accelerates.
Ethical hackers fall under the broad, three-pronged categorization of hackers, which are:
- Black hat hacker: This category refers to cybercriminals breaking into an organization’s IT infrastructure with malicious intent. They may want to steal intellectual property, threaten to publicize confidential data unless a ransom is paid, steal financial details to reroute funds, etc. They are well-skilled in cyber attack techniques, know all major enterprise software, and can exploit network security vulnerabilities.
- White hat hacker: A white hat hacker is another name for an ethical hacker who has the same skills as the above category, but does not want to use those skills for illegal gains. Instead, white hat hackers work closely with top organizations and governments to routinely check their systems for weaknesses or root cause analysis after a zero-day attack.
- Gray hat hacker: A gray hat hacker does not collaborate with enterprises and does not obtain consent before breaking into IT systems. However, they do not have any malicious intent either and will not exploit cybersecurity vulnerabilities for personal gains. A gray hat hacker’s objective is to reveal known or unknown weaknesses compromising the security and privacy of customers, a country’s citizens, and the general population. This category of hackers often works anonymously and closely with investigative journalists.
See More: What Is Threat Modeling? Definition, Process, Examples, and Best Practices
Ethical Hacker Job Roles and Responsibilities
When it comes to getting into a system, ethical hackers must be well-versed in various tactics and abilities; these are vital to their everyday tasks. These experts in information technology and cybersecurity are entrusted with the following:
1. Communicating with colleagues across functions
Although this role involves several technical capabilities, communication is an essential soft skill for candidates. The technological aspects of your work may seem sophisticated to non-IT professionals. As you work with several teams, discussing tactics and generating ideas becomes essential to everyday interactions. In particular, when writing a report, it is beneficial to transcribe one’s thoughts or observations correctly and to use visual aids.
2. Thinking in a highly analytical way
Hacking demands an analytical and imaginative mind. Ethical hackers must be capable of reverse engineering security architectures and devising innovative network penetration techniques. This also requires creative thinking; social engineering is a typical approach that white and black hat hackers use to access restricted places using psychological tactics. Because of this, several hackers have acquired passwords and installed malware using only a notepad and a tool belt.
3. Knowing the organization and its business processes
Ethical hackers must be familiar with the services and operational procedures of the organization with which they are affiliated. It must be conscious of the data that is particularly sensitive and must be safeguarded. Ethical hackers must identify the attack techniques for gaining access to a company’s sensitive data.
4. Managing cybersecurity-related information
Ethical hackers are required to record all of their discoveries and any concerns. Most of their work for enterprises entails the accurate reportage of vulnerabilities and flaws that represent security risks. Ethical hackers must keep their results confidential and never divulge them to others. Individuals must never agree to reveal their results and observations under any circumstances.
They should undertake confidentiality agreements to ensure the safety of the information they possess about the organizations. This will prohibit them from disclosing sensitive data, and organizations can initiate punitive action against them if they fail to maintain data confidentiality.
5. Troubleshooting and providing reactive measures
White hat hackers also offer reactionary measures in the case of a security breach in addition to preventive or proactive measures. In addition to developing preventive measures, it is vital to have backup procedures if the preventative measures fail and hackers break the cybersecurity protocol. To demonstrate problem-solving abilities, one must be able to respond to setbacks and design a defensive counter strategy in challenging circumstances.
See More: What Is Cyber Threat Intelligence? Definition, Objectives, Challenges, and Best Practices
6. Applying cryptography
Encryption and decryption knowledge is a valuable ethical hacking expertise since companies frequently encrypt highly sensitive information or network activity to prevent unauthorized access. Hackers must be familiar with the many approaches for cracking encryption, including brute-force attacks, keyword searches inside algorithms, and ciphertext analysis. In addition, ransomware relies on cryptography to keep its victims’ data captive, while ethical hackers employ cryptography to reveal communication flaws and malware-blocking software.
7. Doubling up as a digital forensics investigator
Computer forensics is the collection of criminal evidence and data that is residual in IT systems. This information is then used in courts to build a case. Government organizations or legal firms may employ an ethical hacker to access evidence on a suspect’s confiscated equipment. In addition, one may apply approaches utilized in criminal forensics to security analysis, which makes this role similar to that of a digital forensics investigator.
8. Reverse engineering software systems
Reverse engineering is the process of determining a product’s architecture, specifications, and features by analyzing its source code. It produces a database of programs from which knowledge is extracted. It tries to expedite maintenance work by improving a system’s accessibility and producing the appropriate paperwork/documentation for a legacy system.
In software security, reverse engineering is often used to guarantee that no severe security flaws or vulnerabilities exist in the framework. It helps stabilize a gadget, protecting it against malware and hackers. Some developers perform ethical hacking on their systems to identify weaknesses.
9. Hacking the organization’s systems
Ethical hackers attack their internal systems to identify possible flaws and risks. They are recruited to identify system vulnerabilities before hackers discover them. Ethical hackers are used as a protection against hackers who want to compromise network security. When vulnerabilities are found early, they may be patched, preventing malevolent hackers from gaining access to sensitive data.
10. Conducting penetration tests
Ethical hackers undertake sophisticated penetration testing to uncover computer system vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit. This demands deep knowledge of the company’s infrastructure and business operations. It also necessitates the capacity to interpret risk evaluations and implement controls for sensitive locations. Ethical hackers must mimic network security breaches and design methods to close vulnerable locations.
See More: What Is a Security Vulnerability? Definition, Types, and Best Practices for Prevention
Top 10 Ethical Hacking Certifications in 2022
Now that we have discussed the meaning and role of an ethical hacker, let us look at the top certifications that can help you get ahead in this field:
1. SECO Ethical Hacking Practitioner
Overview: The SECO ethical hacking practitioner certification course is provided by the Security & Continuity Institute (SECO) Institute. It is an advanced-level professional testing course focusing on advanced offensive techniques and skills.
Curriculum components:
This course focuses on the following:
- Passive surveillance and Linux scripting.
- Testing network services and devices.
- Testing access control, software and databases.
- Understanding file inclusion, working of local and remote file inclusion.
Pricing: The price of this certification course is $ 2950.
Reasons to apply: Ethical hackers looking for a short, intensive, professional course with heavy hands-on training in penetration testing and offensive techniques should apply.
2. GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)
Overview: The GIAC penetration tester certification is run by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC). It validates an ethical hacker’s skill to appropriately conduct a penetration test using the best methodologies and practice techniques.
Curriculum components:
This certification focuses on the following:
- In-depth password attacks.
- Comprehensive exploitation and scanning.
- Detailed classes on post-exploitation and pivoting.
- Comprehensive pen test planning, scoping, and surveillance.
Pricing: The price of this certification course is $ 1699.
Reasons to apply: Ethical hackers looking to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to run exploits, work on in-depth reconnaissance, and employ a process-oriented approach to pen testing projects should apply.
3. CompTIA PenTest+
Overview: The CompTIA PenTest+ certification is provided by the CompTIA organization. It is a comprehensive exam that covers every penetration testing stage for ethical hackers tasked with vulnerability management and penetration testing.
Curriculum components:
This certification focuses on:
- Covering all penetration testing stages.
- Aspects of vulnerability management.
- Covering the latest methods and tools against expanded attack surfaces.
- Network resiliency against attacks.
Pricing: The price of this certification examination ranges from $ 392 to $ 977.
Reasons to apply: The PenTest+ certification exam is a standardized and iso-compliant exam that ethical hackers should apply to if they want to certify that they are conversant with the latest aspects of penetration testing stages and vulnerability management.
4. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Overview: The Certified Ethical Hacker certification course is provided by the EC-Council. It certifies that ethical hackers know lawfully the latest commercial-grade hacking tools, techniques, and methodologies used to hack organizations.
Curriculum components:
This course focuses on:
- Introduction to ethical hacking.
- Footprinting, reconnaissance, and scanning networks.
- Session hijacking and SQL injection.
- Hacking of web servers, web applications, and wireless networks.
Pricing: The price of this certification course ranges from $ 1699 to $ 2099.
Reasons to apply: Ethical hackers seeking to enhance their skills, learn commercial-grade hacking tools and techniques and compete with other hackers as part of the program should apply for this course.
5. CREST Registered Penetration Tester
Overview: The CREST registered penetration tester certification examination is provided by Crest. It validates the ability of an ethical hacker to carry out basic vulnerability assessment and penetration testing tasks.
Curriculum components:
This course focuses on the following:
- Core technical skills and networking equipment.
- Web technologies, web testing methodologies, and techniques.
- Soft skills and Microsoft Windows security assessment.
- Unix security assessment and databases.
Pricing: The price of this examination ranges from $ 500 to $ 1800.
Reasons to apply: Ethical hackers seeking to assess their basic knowledge of finding known vulnerabilities across standard networks, database management system (DBMS) technologies, and applications should take this examination.
6. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
Overview: The EC-Council provides the computer hacking forensic investigator certification course. It certifies the ability of ethical hackers to conduct digital investigations with pathbreaking digital forensics tools and methodologies.
Curriculum components:
This course focuses on the following:
- Cloud, dark web, database, Windows, Linux, and mobile forensics.
- Computer forensics investigation process.
- Data acquisition and duplication.
- Defeating anti-forensics techniques.
Pricing: The price of this certification course ranges from $ 700 to $ 1200.
Reasons to apply: Ethical hackers seeking to gain skills to proactively inspect complex security threats, allowing them to investigate, record, and report cybercrimes to avert future attacks, should apply for this course.
7. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Overview: The Offensive Security Certified Professional certification course is provided by Offensive Security. It certifies the skills of ethical hackers in penetration testing and the mindset required for a successful ethical hacker.
Curriculum components:
This course focuses on:
- Passive and active information gathering.
- Windows and Linux buffer overflows and antivirus evasion.
- Command line fun and bash scripting.
- Trying harder in the labs.
Pricing: The price of this course ranges from $ 1499 to $ 5499.
Reasons to apply: Ethical hackers seeking to enhance their penetration testing tools and techniques skills and learn the right mindset required to succeed in penetration testing should apply for this course.
See More: What Is Cybersecurity? Definition, Importance, Threats, and Best Practices
8. Certified Penetration Testing Engineer
Overview: The certified penetration testing engineer certification course is offered by Mile 2. It certifies that ethical hackers have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage the penetration testing process.
Curriculum components:
This course focuses on the following:
- Advanced assessment and exploitation techniques.
- Evasion techniques and detecting live systems.
- Automated vulnerability assessment and hacking operations.
- Networks, sniffing and hacking with PowerShell.
Pricing: The price of this certification course ranges from $ 1650 to $ 2100.
Reasons to apply: Ethical hackers seeking to gain knowledge of the latest vulnerabilities and testing techniques malicious hackers use to acquire and destroy data and acquire business skills to optimize security controls to reduce business risk should apply for this course.
9. Offensive Security Wireless Professional (OSWP)
Overview: The offensive security wireless professional certification course is provided by offensive security. It is a foundational course for ethical hackers looking to kickstart their careers and gain more skills in network security.
Curriculum components:
This course focuses on the following:
- Wireless networks, Wifi encryptions, and manual network connections.
- Wireshark essentials and rogue access points.
- Cracking authentication hashes, BetterCAP essentials, etc.
- Frames and network interaction.
Pricing: The price of this certification course ranges from $ 799 to $ 5,499.
Reasons to apply: Ethical hackers looking to gain the necessary knowledge to recognize existing vulnerabilities and encryptions in wireless networks, recover the encryption keys in use, and evade network security restrictions should apply.
10. Foundstone Ultimate Hacking
Overview: The Foundstone Ultimate Hacking certification course is provided by Black Hat. It is an advanced course for ethical hackers interested in discovering the inner workings of severe security vulnerabilities and the most effective techniques to resolve them.
Curriculum components:
This course focuses on the following:
- Monitoring switched networks using arp spoofing.
- Structured Query Language (SQL) hacking techniques and compiling and testing malicious kernel modules.
- Advanced UNIX configuration techniques.
- Client-side attacks and buffer overflow.
Pricing: The price of this certification course ranges from $ 2,000 to $ 2,300.
Reasons to apply: Ethical hackers looking for a short two-day action-packed professional course with hands-on experience to proactively secure their systems and develop countermeasures for possible future attacks should apply.
See More: What Is a Trojan Horse? Meaning, Examples, and Prevention Best Practices
Takeaway
Ethical hacking is one of the most in-demand skills today. Governments and private organizations regularly work with ethical hackers to expose and repair flaws in their cybersecurity infrastructure. Given the spate of cyber-attacks worldwide since the pandemic — ethical hacking will remain at the center stage of an organizational disaster and crisis management framework. Equipped with the right set of certifications, aspirants can look forward to a flourishing and meaningful career in the years to come.
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