An ethical hacker is responsible for examining internal servers and finding out any vulnerabilities coming from the outside. Also she/he can cooperate with developers on security requirements or updates. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the IT security field will grow by 37 percent by 2022. There is an acute shortage of specialists in this sector.
Course to study: The base qualification is a Bachelor‘s degree in computer sciences followed by a course called ‘Ethical Hacker’, also known as a computer security specialist.
Certifications:
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – is a widely recognized designation offered by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants. It is obtained at an Accredited Training Center. There is also an option for independent study, in which case the application has to be accompanied by proof of two years of information security work experience. According to the available statistics, with this type of certificate you can qualify for a higher number on your paycheck.
- Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC);
- Offensive Security Certified Professiona (OSCP).
What you can do as a qualified ethical hacker: Many banks or security companies are currently on the lookout for specialists to protect their networks, and the number of required staff will only be increasing, so if you possess the right abilities and are debating whether it is worthwhile to start studying, then, yes, it is.
Salary: A lot depending on experience and skills, salary can easily exceed $100,000 per year.
And of course, as it sometimes is, the least expected can happen. This is only one of many – the unbelievable story of James Kosta, who at 14 was convicted of 45 counts of technical burglary and sentenced to 45 years in prison. Soon after, at the age of 20, he joined the CIA to assist them in tracking financial criminals worldwide. Reportedly, half of the cyber security firms in the U.K. are unable to hire or retain specialist staff and are on the lookout for ex-convicts in a desperate attempt to secure their networks.
Photo: Shutterstock
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