Should You Study Ethical Hacking? | Atypical Degrees

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This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Atypical Degrees

Whilst most degree programs aim to provide students with helpful and developmental knowledge, ethical hacking provides students with knowledge of techniques used to perform malicious attacks directed at unsuspecting customers.

The goal of ethical hacking is to find weaknesses and strengthen security by employing the same methods and equipment as harmful hackers. Since there is a greater demand for cybersecurity experts who can defend systems from cyberattacks, ethical hacking has received a lot of attention in recent years.

Maybe YOU should be considering it TOO.

Why should you study ethical hacking?

Depending on your career goals, studying ethical hacking may be a beneficial endeavor for you.

If any of the following is in your purview of future interests, you should consider studying ethical hacking:

  • You are interested in hacking – Understanding who ‘hackers’ typically are, the techniques they use to break into systems, and the way we defend against them.
  • You are interested in the working of computer security – Learning how to examine computers and networks for digital artifacts, and how these can be used in a legal case, or as part of incident response.
  • You are interested in understanding how the network infrastructure connects systems and the impact on security.
  • You are considering starting your own cybersecurity firm in the future and would like a solid foundation to kick-start that
  • You are Interested in creating, running, or being involved with websites and associated databases for yourself or for a business venture
  • You would like to understand backend security better and secure a server or database

Rewards and moonshots

Companies and organizations who want to encourage ethical hackers to discover and report security flaws in their software or systems often start bug bounty programs.

Depending on the severity of the vulnerability, the firm or organization may provide the hacker a monetary reward in exchange for disclosing a problem.

This reward can be anything from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.

Although bug bounty programs have the potential to make you wealthy, it’s crucial to remember that finding a highly lucrative bug is a moonshot and needs a lot of talent and good fortune.

Yet, bug bounty programs can be a lucrative method to generate money while also helping to increase the general security of digital systems for people with the technical know-how and determination to uncover and report problems.

Salary Expectations and job prospects

There is a rising need for qualified specialists in the field of ethical hacking, which is developing quickly.

Several businesses are searching for ethical hackers to assist them find holes and defend against potential cyberattacks as cybersecurity threats become more complex.

According to data from the job portal Indeed, an ethical hacker in the UK makes an average pay of roughly £47,500 annually.

bitcoins and u s dollar bills
Money! Money! Money! For Ethical Hackers

Yet, compensation might differ significantly based on things like the industry, the region, and the level of expertise. Senior ethical hackers with several years of experience may make up to £100,000 or more annually.

The employment outlook for ethical hacking grads is typically favorable, and there are several chances in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government. Many businesses demand a degree in a pertinent subject like computer science, cybersecurity, or information technology in addition to pertinent credentials like the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP).

Graduates may be more likely to get a job in this sector if they can show technical proficiency, critical thinking, and a strong work ethic.

Many ethical hackers work as freelancers or consultants in addition to typical full-time positions, providing their expertise to businesses on a project-by-project basis.

It is also important to understand that advertised roles will not always go by the term ‘Ethical Hacker’. Associated roles that largely perform similar or transferable tasks include security analyst, security specialist, Engineer, Penetration tester, and Cybersecurity Engineer.

Lastly, remember that university isn’t the only route, and you may be able to achieve considerable success in the jobs market, having done digital or cyber security apprenticeships.

Summary

For those who are interested in learning the methods that hackers employ to gain access to computer systems and networks, studying ethical hacking might be helpful.

The need for knowledgeable ethical hackers to assist find vulnerabilities and defend against future cyberattacks is growing, therefore it can also be helpful for people who wish to work in the cybersecurity sector.

However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that ethical hacking may be a challenging sector to get into, and secure a stable role.

Career prospects and compensation can differ greatly depending on things like industry, location, and amount of experience.

It’s important to think about the moral ramifications of hacking as well as any potential legal repercussions from utilizing hacking tools without authorization. In the end, deciding whether or not to learn ethical hacking should be based on one’s own interests and professional objectives.

Speak to an advisor – soon

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