Pen Testing - The World Of The Ethical Hacker

[Micheal Jack]

A Pen Test - Penetration Test - is carried out by what is referred to as a White Hat or Ethical Hacker. But who and just what defines an Ethical Hire a Hackerr? For the part a White Hat or Ethical Hacker is really a computer expert who possesses the programming knowledge to recognise vulnerabilities within an os and network. What separates then from the entire world of the Black Hat Hacker is their intent....

An Ethical Hacker intends to secure a system by recognising vulnerabilities and providing the clear answer to cut back if not remove that vulnerability - A Black Hat Hacker on one other hand has every intention of exploiting vulnerabilities for their own mischievous ends. Even so, White or Black they are all effectively Hackers!

The Good Guys

More and more organisations are embracing professional IT Security experts to carry out Pen Testing on the systems and network: Thus ensuring risks are lowered and data remains as secure as possible. An Ethical Hacker is the 'good guy': However, the methodology they choose and knowledge they possess can be used to circumvent security and in some cases actually crash those systems - As is the case with Black Box Testing. Nevertheless, it is Ethical because the greatest goal is to increase the security of the systems. In addition, an Ethical Hacker is doing this by request.

The Logic Of It All

The logic is that when an Ethical Hacker can penetrate the machine during a Penetration Test so can a Black Hat hacker: Takes one to learn one - Which may leave you wondering how and why an IT Security expert might enter the entire world of Penetration Testing.... To which, the answer is varied: There are those who turned a brand new leaf (so to speak) and you can find those who have always worn the White Hat and are simply extremely proficient at their job - As in, they have the computer savvy to analyse systems and code; possess insight in relation to the 'mind' of the Hacker and likewise have the data it takes to solve issues. In a way, not dissimilar to those detectives who posses the capacity to 'understand' the criminal mind however not the inclination to be one... To which, it really doesn't follow that Hackers have a 'criminal mind' ;.

Ongoing

Pen Testing invariably calls for a talented IT Security professional who is creative and can think outside the box. While more and more organisation utilise the web and operating systems to manage core business processes networking security concerns are on the rise: Particularly for those sectors dealing with sensitive financial and personal information: Hence, the decision for Ethical Hackers and Penetration Testing is notable. Identifying vulnerabilities is vital for all and ongoing - Because the Black Hats diversify systems have to be consistently assessed.