Sometimes the best way to defend is to attack. In cyber security, one of the most effective proactive security measures you can take is to hire hackers to attack your system and report back to you on how it goes. Ethical hacking, also known as white-hat hacking, involves authorised individuals using hacking techniques and tools to uncover, understand, and fix security flaws in networks and computer systems before the bad actors have a chance to exploit them.
Understanding Ethical Hacking
Ethical hacking is the practice of deliberately probing an organisation’s IT infrastructure to identify security weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious hackers. Unlike their shadier counterparts, ethical hackers operate with permission and aim to improve an organisation’s security without causing harm. They employ the same methodologies, tools, and tactics as real cyber criminals, but their objective is to reinforce network security and protect data.
Ethical hacking acts as a rehearsal for real-world cyber attacks. Organisations hire ethical hackers to conduct simulated attacks, which help security teams understand how vulnerabilities can be exploited and what impact they might have. Organisations then use this insight to shore up their defences, train their staff better, and protect sensitive information.
To provide effective simulations of cyber attacks, ethical hackers have to stay up to date with changing methods and tools in hacking, matching the development pace of the bad actors. At OmniCyber Security, we invest heavily in the training of our team, and regularly send them to hacking conventions like DEF CON, the biggest hacking convention in the world, to hone their skills and share insights with other professionals in the industry.
Ethical Hacking vs. Penetration Testing
While the terms “ethical hacking” and “penetration testing” are often used interchangeably, penetration testing is just one of the methods used in ethical hacking. Ethical hacking encompasses a broader range of activities, including vulnerability assessments, malware analysis, and overall risk management.
Hacking Ethics
Ethical hackers adhere to a stringent code of ethics to ensure their activities are beneficial and not harmful. Many organisations that train or certify ethical hackers, such as the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC Council), publish their own formal written code of ethics. While stated ethics can vary among hackers or organisations, the general guidelines are:
- Permission: Ethical hackers must obtain explicit permission from the organisation before conducting any tests. They work with the organisation to define the scope, timelines, and methods used in their activities.
- No Harm Done: Ethical hackers do not cause any damage or steal data. Their purpose is solely to identify and demonstrate potential vulnerabilities.
- Confidentiality: Findings are shared only with the organisation, ensuring sensitive information is not disclosed to unauthorised parties.
- Legal Compliance: Ethical hackers operate strictly within the bounds of the law, using only legal methods and avoiding associations with black-hat hackers or illegal activities.
Types of Hacking Hat
Different types of hackers are often referred to by the colour of their metaphorical hat, depending on their methods and intentions. The three main colours are:
· White Hat Hackers
White hat hackers, also known as ethical hackers, use their skills for positive purposes. They are employed by organisations to identify and fix security vulnerabilities, ensuring systems are robust and secure. White hat hackers operate with permission, adhere to legal standards, and follow a strict code of ethics. Their primary goal is to improve an organisation’s security posture by simulating real-world attacks and helping to prevent actual breaches.
· Black Hat Hackers
Black hat hackers are the bad guys of the hacking world. Their activities are illegal and harmful, driven by motives such as financial gain, personal benefit, cyberterrorism, or causing disruption. Black hat hackers exploit vulnerabilities to steal sensitive information, disrupt services, or gain unauthorised access to systems. They operate without permission and often leave significant damage in their wake, both financially and reputationally.
· Gray Hat Hackers
Grey hat hackers exist in a moral grey area between white and black hats. While their intentions are usually positive, such as improving security or bringing attention to vulnerabilities, their methods can be questionable and often illegal. For example, a grey hat hacker might find and exploit a vulnerability without permission, and then inform the organisation afterwards. While they do not typically have malicious intent, their actions can still cause harm or tip-off black hat hackers to new exploits.
Ethical hacking in practice
Ethical hackers offer a range of services, including but not limited to:
Penetration testing
Penetration tests, or “pen tests,” are simulated security breaches. Pen testers imitate malicious hackers that gain unauthorised access to company systems. Of course, pen testers don’t cause any actual harm. They use the results of their tests to help defend the company against real cybercriminals.
During the attack, pen testers explore how malicious hackers can exploit existing vulnerabilities and how they can move through the network once inside. They find out what kinds of data and assets hackers can access. They also test whether existing security measures can detect or prevent their activities.
Pen testers document all their activities during the hack. Then, they present a report to the information security team that outlines the vulnerabilities they exploited, the assets and data they accessed and how they evaded security systems. Ethical hackers make recommendations for prioritising and fixing these issues as well.
Vulnerability assessments
Unlike penetration tests, vulnerability assessments do not involve exploiting vulnerabilities. Instead, they focus on identifying and categorising security flaws to help organisations prioritise remediation efforts.
Malware analysis
Some ethical hackers specialise in analysing ransomware and malware strains. They study new malware releases to understand how they work and share their conclusions with companies and the broader information security community.
Risk management
Ethical hackers may also assist with high-level strategic risk management. They can identify new and emerging threats, analyse how these threats impact the company’s security posture and help the company develop countermeasures.
Red Teaming
The red team are a group of ethical hackers who perform advanced, multi-layered attacks that mimic sophisticated real-world attacks. Unlike standard penetration tests, red teams often operate over longer periods and can employ a variety of tactics to test the full spectrum of an organisation’s defences.
Continuous Adversary Emulation
Continuous adversary emulation is an ongoing commitment to carrying out multiple engagements in a year. It most accurately replicates the real threat of a cyber attack, as no one in the organisation knows when the next test is coming. This method keeps security teams on their toes, ensuring they are always prepared for new and emerging threats. Continuous adversary emulation helps organisations catch new vulnerabilities more quickly and understand how well their defences stand up to evolving attacks, allowing for continuous improvement of security measures.
Benefits of ethical hacking
Ethical hacking provides several key benefits:
- Proactive Security Measures: By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, ethical hacking helps prevent data breaches and cyberattacks.
- Enhanced Security Posture: Ethical hackers’ insights into how defences work in practice help organisations strengthen their security measures.
- Regulatory Compliance: Regular ethical hacking activities can help organisations meet compliance requirements and avoid penalties.
- Customer Trust: Demonstrating a commitment to security through ethical hacking can enhance an organisation’s reputation and build customer trust.
Skills Required to Become an Ethical Hacker
To be an effective ethical hacker, you must have a deep understanding of various systems, networks, programming languages, and security protocols. Key skills include:
- Programming Knowledge: Essential for professionals involved in application security and the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Understanding how to write and analyse code helps in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in software.
- Scripting Expertise: Vital for those handling network and host-based attacks. Proficiency in scripting allows ethical hackers to automate tasks and create custom tools for penetration testing.
- Networking Proficiency: Since most security threats originate from networks, a thorough understanding of networking is crucial. This includes knowledge of network devices, their interconnections, and techniques to detect compromised systems.
- Database Understanding: Many attacks target databases, so familiarity with database management systems, particularly SQL, is important for inspecting and securing database operations.
- Multi-Platform Knowledge: Competence in working with various operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and Unix, is necessary because vulnerabilities can exist across different platforms.
- Tool Proficiency: The ability to use a variety of hacking tools effectively is essential for conducting comprehensive security assessments and penetration tests.
Ethical hacking is an essential component of a robust cyber security strategy. By simulating real-world attacks, ethical hackers help organisations identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, enhancing their overall security posture. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the role of ethical hackers becomes increasingly important in protecting sensitive data and maintaining business continuity.
OmniCyber Security’s ethical hacking team are leaders in their industry. Contact us to explore their services and how they can help you protect your critical information.
