Ethical Hacking | School Workshop
Ethical hacking involves an authorized attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, application, or data. Carrying out an ethical hack involves duplicating the strategies and actions of malicious attackers. This practice helps to identify security vulnerabilities which can then be resolved before a malicious attacker has the opportunity to exploit them.
Hacking is the process of finding vulnerabilities in a system and using these found vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access into the system to perform malicious activities ranging from deleting system files to stealing sensitive information. Hacking is illegal and can lead to extreme consequences if you are caught in the act. People have been sentenced to years of imprisonment because of hacking.
Feature of Ethical Hacking
Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or white-hat hacking, encompasses several key features that distinguish it from malicious hacking. Here are the main features of ethical hacking:
- Authorized and Legal: Ethical hacking is conducted with explicit authorization from the system owner, organization, or relevant stakeholders.
- Objective: The primary objective of ethical hacking is to identify and assess vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, or applications.
- Consent and Documentation: Ethical hackers and organizations enter into formal agreements or contracts, outlining the scope of testing, rules of engagement, and the specific systems or assets to be tested.
- Non-Destructive: Ethical hackers are expected to minimize any potential disruption or damage to the systems they test.
- Professionalism: Ethical hackers are typically highly skilled professionals with a deep understanding of security concepts, vulnerabilities, and hacking techniques.
- Reporting: Ethical hackers provide detailed reports to the system owner or organization, documenting the vulnerabilities discovered, their severity, and recommendations for remediation.
- Continuous Testing: Ethical hacking is not a one-time activity. It involves ongoing assessments to ensure that new vulnerabilities are not introduced and to address emerging threats.
- Risk Mitigation: The ultimate goal of ethical hacking is to identify and mitigate security risks. By doing so, it helps organizations prevent data breaches, unauthorized access, and other cyberattacks.
- Educational Component: Ethical hackers often work closely with organizations to share their findings, educate staff on security best practices, and improve overall security awareness.
- Compliance and Standards: Ethical hackers follow industry best practices, standards, and compliance requirements, such as those outlined in the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification.
- Data Privacy and Confidentiality: Ethical hackers handle sensitive information responsibly, ensuring that any data they access or discover during testing is treated with confidentiality and privacy.
- Collaboration: Ethical hacking often involves collaboration with internal security teams to enhance overall security measures and defenses.
Topics in Ethical Hacking Workshop
An ethical hacking workshop should cover a range of topics to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of ethical hacking and cybersecurity. Here are some essential topics to include in an ethical hacking workshop:
- 1. Vulnerability Assessment
- 2. Information Gathering
- 3. Scanning and Enumeration
- 4. Vulnerability Assessment
- 5. Network Hacking
- 6. Web Application Hacking
- 7. Wireless Network Security
- 8. Social Engineering
- 9. Password Cracking and Authentication
- 10. Exploitation Tools and Frameworks
- 11. Malware Analysis and Reverse Engineering
- 12. Cryptography
- 13. Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
- 14. Incident Response and Handling
- 15. Cybersecurity Laws and Compliance
- 16. Secure Coding Practices
- 17. Hands-On Labs and Exercises
- 18. Case Studies and Real-World Examples
- 19. Ethics and Responsible Disclosure
- 20. Certifications and Career Path