Ethical Hacking Roadmap: Steps to Become an Ethical Hacker in 2024

As per recent studies, only 32% of people in the IT industry are currently skilled in fighting against cyber attacks. Given the exponential growth of the digital economy in recent years, the demand for skilled ethical hackers is going to increase. Every organization will require highly skilled ethical hackers to ensure the greater security of critical data and systems. 

If you want to pursue a career in this domain, you need to possess the right skills and expertise. To kickstart your learning journey in the field of ethical hacking, follow this ethical hacking roadmap. We give you a complete overview of the learning path that you can pursue to become a professional ethical hacker. 

Ethical Hacking Roadmap: An Exciting Learning Journey

Ethical hacking is the process of using hacking techniques by friendly parties to check systems and applications for vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers identify weaknesses in computer systems before malicious actors can exploit them. 

Becoming an ethical hacker is not an easy task, it requires dedication as well as hard work. This is why you need to have the right plan of action to streamline your learning process. You can simplify your learning journey by pursuing an online ethical hacking course or you can follow this ethical hacking roadmap.

1. Build Computer Network Knowledge

Computer network is the foundation of ethical hacking. Therefore, it is important to start with a strong understanding of computer networks and their functions. By learning how networks operate, you’ll be better equipped to identify vulnerabilities and assess overall security posture. Here are the key areas to focus on:

• Functioning of Computer Systems: Learn about the parts of a computer system, including both hardware and software components. These components work together to process information and establish connections with different networks.

• Network Protocols: Network protocols are the languages that devices use to communicate and share data. Mastering protocols like TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) will enable you to analyze network traffic and identify potential security breaches.
  
• Operating Systems: Different operating systems (OS) like Windows, Linux, and macOS have their own strengths and weaknesses from a security standpoint. Learning about common OS vulnerabilities will allow you to target your attacks more effectively.
  
• Interaction within a Networked Environment: Networks are complex ecosystems with various components like routers, switches, and firewalls working together to facilitate communication. Understanding how these components interact will help you identify choke points and areas where security measures might be lacking.

2. Gain Proficiency in Programming Languages

Programming languages are the building blocks of many hacking tools and techniques. Ethical hackers leverage these languages to automate repetitive tasks, write custom scripts for vulnerability scanning and exploitation, and analyze data extracted from compromised systems. They can also use their programming abilities to develop their own hacking tools or modify existing ones to fit specific needs. Here are some languages to consider in the ethical hacking roadmap:

• Python: Python is a versatile and beginner-friendly language, perfect for scripting and automation.
  
• C++: C++ offers high performance and memory control. It is ideal for advanced tools and exploits.
  
• Java: Java is widely used for coding web applications. Understanding Java can help you discover vulnerabilities in these systems.
  
• JavaScript: It is the language of the web, which is essential for testing web applications and browsers.
  
• SQL: SQL is a programming language that is used to access, modify, and extract information from relational databases.

3. Learn About Common Attack Vectors

Ethical hackers put themselves in the attacker’s mindset to anticipate their strategies and stay one step ahead. This means understanding the tools, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) that malicious actors commonly use. By thinking like an attacker, ethical hackers can identify and close security gaps before they can be exploited. Here are some common attack vectors employed by malicious actors:

• Compromised Credentials: Weak passwords and phishing attacks can give attackers access to user accounts.
  
• Phishing: Phishing is deceptive emails or messages designed to trick users into revealing sensitive information.
  
• Malware: Malware is malicious software that can steal data, disrupt operations, or take control of systems.
  
• Insider Threats: These threats refer to internal vulnerabilities that a website may be exposed to. For example, disgruntled employees or contractors can pose a significant security risk.
  
• Vulnerabilities: These are weaknesses in software, hardware, or configuration that attackers can exploit.
  
• SQL Injection: SQL injection is a type of cyber attack where an individual injects malicious SQL code into a website to exploit vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access to a database.
  
• Trust Relationships: Attackers can exploit trusted relationships between systems to gain access.
  
• DDoS Attacks: These attacks overload a system with traffic to make it inaccessible to legitimate users. 

4. Study Network and Security Concepts

The next step in the roadmap for ethical hacking is understanding how networks function. You must familiarize yourself with network protocols as well as the different types of network security controls. You must also learn how these elements interact to create a secure environment. Let’s understand some of these concepts in more detail:

• Principles of Computer Networking: As a professional ethical hacker, you must learn how data travels across networks and different network topologies. And also understand how essential protocols like TCP/IP and DNS function.
  
• Network Security: Exploring concepts like firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and encryption methods used to safeguard networks will enable you to protect sensitive data from attackers.
  
• Different Security Protocols: It is important to understand different security protocols such as SSH, HTTPS, and VPNs. They are responsible for establishing secure communication channels between devices and help protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. 

5. Learn to Assess Threats in Web Applications and Databases

Web applications and databases are prime targets for attackers, so a thorough understanding of their vulnerabilities is crucial for ethical hackers. Let’s take a look at some of the tools to assess vulnerabilities in web applications and databases:

• SQL Injection: It helps in learning how attackers can inject malicious SQL code into web forms to manipulate databases.
  
• Cross-site Scripting (XSS): This helps in exploring how attackers can inject malicious scripts into websites to steal user data or redirect them to phishing sites.
  
• Cross-site Request Forgery (CSRF): It assists in understanding how attackers can trick users into performing unauthorized actions on a website they’re already logged into.

6. Gain Proficiency in Ethical Hacking Tools

Ethical hackers have a diverse arsenal of tools at their disposal to scan for vulnerabilities, exploit weaknesses, and analyze security posture. Learning to use these tools effectively will significantly enhance your ability to conduct thorough security assessments. Here are some popular ethical hacking tools to get you started:

• Metasploit: It is a computer security project that offers critical data about vulnerabilities and aids in penetration testing. 

• Wireshark: It is a network protocol analyzer that allows you to capture and inspect network traffic for suspicious activity.

• Nmap: A versatile port scanner used to identify devices on a network and the services they offer.

• Burp Suite: It is a comprehensive web application security testing platform for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities.

• Kali Linux: It is a popular operating system pre-loaded with a vast array of ethical hacking tools.

• SQL Ninja: It is a tool specifically designed to automate SQL injection attacks and identify database vulnerabilities.

• Wapiti: It is an open-source web application vulnerability scanner that can identify common security weaknesses.

7. Hone Your Skills with Projects

Theoretical knowledge is important in the field of ethical hacking, but so is hands-on practical experience. This is why to become proficient in ethical hacking, it’s best to follow a roadmap for ethical hacking and practice your skills in simulated real-world scenarios. Here are some ways to get hands-on practice in the domain:

• Set up a Lab Environment: Create a safe and controlled testing environment where you can practice using hacking tools and exploit vulnerabilities without causing any harm. Virtual machines are a great option for this purpose.

• Practice with Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges: CTFs are online competitions where participants race to solve hacking challenges that test their skills in areas like vulnerability discovery, exploitation, and cryptography. 

• Contribute to Open-Source Security Projects: Many open-source projects focus on security tools and vulnerability research. Contributing your skills to these projects can be a rewarding way to give back to the community while gaining valuable experience.

• Bug Bounty Programs: Some companies offer bug bounty programs where they reward ethical hackers for discovering and reporting vulnerabilities in their systems. This can be a fantastic way to test your skills and earn incentives in the process.  

Conclusion 

In this blog, we have outlined the ethical hacking roadmap. It is designed to help you through the essential steps and skills needed to embark on a successful journey in the field. With the rise of cyber threats and attacks, safeguarding systems and data has become a top priority. You can build a successful career for yourself in this domain if you possess the right skills. So, make sure to upskill yourself with the right courses to find a well-paying ethical hacking job.

If you found this blog informative, then you can also check out our blog on high-paying cybersecurity jobs.