Ethical Hacking or Penetration Testing –
What is Ethical Hacking?
Ethical Hacking may be stated in a sentence as follows, “Ethical hacking involves an authorized attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, application, or data.
Ethical Hacking, often referred to as “white-hat hacking” or “penetration testing,” is a subset of cyber security. Ethical hackers are individuals who are authorized to simulate cyber attacks on systems, networks, and applications with the consent of the owner to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
The main purpose of ethical hacking
The main purpose of ethical hacking
The main purpose of ethical hacking is to assess the security of an organization’s IT infrastructure and find and fix potential vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them.
Key aspects of ethical hacking include:
- Authorization: Ethical hackers work under legal agreements and have explicit permission from the system owners to test and assess security.
Ethical Hacking – Authorisation
- Methods: They use the same tools and techniques as malicious hackers to identify and assess vulnerabilities, including penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and security assessments.
- Reporting: Ethical hackers document their findings, vulnerabilities, and recommendations for mitigating risks and improving security.
- Continuous Improvement: Ethical hacking is an ongoing process, as systems and networks evolve, and new vulnerabilities emerge. Organizations conduct periodic security assessments to maintain strong defenses against cyber threats.
Ethical hackers play a crucial role in strengthening an organization’s security posture by identifying and addressing potential weaknesses, helping to prevent data breaches, unauthorized access, and other cybersecurity threats. Their work is essential in maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of information and ensuring the availability of critical systems and services.
