Skills Required to Become a Ethical Hacker

Skills allow you to achieve your desired goals within the available time and resources. As a hacker, you will need to develop skills that will help you get the job done. These skills include learning how to program, use the internet, good at solving problems, and taking advantage of existing security tools.

Read More: 312-50: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

In this article, we will introduce you to the common programming languages and skills that you must know as a hacker.

What is a programming language?

A programming language is a language that is used to develop computer programs. The programs developed can range from operating systems; data based applications through to networking solutions.

Why should you learn how to program?

◉ Hackers are the problem solver and tool builders, learning how to program will help you implement solutions to problems. It also differentiates you from script kiddies.

◉ Writing programs as a hacker will help you to automate many tasks which would usually take lots of time to complete.

◉ Writing programs can also help you identify and exploit programming errors in applications that you will be targeting.

◉ You don’t have to reinvent the wheel all the time, and there are a number of open source programs that are readily usable. You can customize the already existing applications and add your methods to suit your needs.

What languages should I learn?

The answer to this question depends on your target computer systems and platforms. Some programming languages are used to develop for only specific platforms. As an example, Visual Basic Classic (3, 4, 5, and 6.0) is used to write applications that run on Windows operating system. It would, therefore, be illogical for you to learn how to program in Visual Basic 6.0 when your target is hacking Linux based systems.

Programming languages that are useful to hackers

SR NO.	COMPUTER LANGUAGES	DESCRIPTION	PLATFORM	PURPOSE
1	HTML	Language used to write web pages.	*Cross platform	Web hacking Login forms and other data entry methods on the web use HTML forms to get data. Being able to write and interpret HTML, makes it easy for you to identify and exploit weaknesses in the code.
2	JavaScript	Client side scripting language	*Cross platform	Web Hacking JavaScript code is executed on the client browse. You can use it to read saved cookies and perform cross site scripting etc.
3	PHP	Server side scripting language	*Cross platform	Web Hacking PHP is one of the most used web programming languages. It is used to process HTML forms and performs other custom tasks. You could write a custom application in PHP that modifies settings on a web server and makes the server vulnerable to attacks.
4	SQL	Language used to communicate with database	*Cross platform	Web Hacking Using SQL injection, to by-pass web application login algorithms that are weak, delete data from the database, etc.
5	Python Ruby Bash Perl	High level programming languages	*Cross platform	Building tools & scripts They come in handy when you need to develop automation tools and scripts. The knowledge gained can also be used in understand and customization the already available tools.
6	C & C++	Low Level Programming	*Cross platform	Writing exploits, shell codes, etc. They come in handy when you need to write your own shell codes, exploits, root kits or understanding and expanding on existing ones.
7	Java CSharp Visual Basic VBScript	Other languages	Java & CSharp are *cross platform. Visual Basic is specific to Windows	Other uses The usefulness of these languages depends on your scenario.

* Cross platform means programs developed using the particular language can be deployed on different operating systems such as Windows, Linux based, MAC etc.

Other skills

In addition to programming skills, a good hacker should also have the following skills:

◉ Know how to use the internet and search engines effectively to gather information.

◉ Get a Linux-based operating system and the know the basics commands that every Linux user should know.

◉ Practice makes perfect, a good hacker should be hard working and positively contribute to the hacker community. He/she can contribute by developing open source programs, answering questions in hacking forums, etc.

Source: guru99.com

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Potential Security Threats To Your Computer Systems

A computer system threat is anything that leads to loss or corruption of data or physical damage to the hardware and/or infrastructure. Knowing how to identify computer security threats is the first step in protecting computer systems. The threats could be intentional, accidental or caused by natural disasters.

More Info: 312-50: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

In this article, we will introduce you to the common computer system threats and how you can protect systems against them.

What is a Security Threat?

Security Threat is defined as a risk that which can potentially harm computer systems and organization. The cause could be physical such as someone stealing a computer that contains vital data. The cause could also be non-physical such as a virus attack. In these tutorial series, we will define a threat as a potential attack from a hacker that can allow them to gain unauthorized access to a computer system.

What are Physical Threats?

A physical threat is a potential cause of an incident that may result in loss or physical damage to the computer systems.

The following list classifies the physical threats into three (3) main categories;

◉ Internal: The threats include fire, unstable power supply, humidity in the rooms housing the hardware, etc.

◉ External: These threats include Lightning, floods, earthquakes, etc.

◉ Human: These threats include theft, vandalism of the infrastructure and/or hardware, disruption, accidental or intentional errors.

To protect computer systems from the above mentioned physical threats, an organization must have physical security control measures.

The following list shows some of the possible measures that can be taken:

◉ Internal: Fire threats could be prevented by the use of automatic fire detectors and extinguishers that do not use water to put out a fire. The unstable power supply can be prevented by the use of voltage controllers. An air conditioner can be used to control the humidity in the computer room.

◉ External: Lightning protection systems can be used to protect computer systems against such attacks. Lightning protection systems are not 100% perfect, but to a certain extent, they reduce the chances of Lightning causing damage. Housing computer systems in high lands are one of the possible ways of protecting systems against floods.

◉ Humans: Threats such as theft can be prevented by use of locked doors and restricted access to computer rooms.

What are Non-physical Threats?

A non-physical threat is a potential cause of an incident that may result in;

◉ Loss or corruption of system data

◉ Disrupt business operations that rely on computer systems

◉ Loss of sensitive information

◉ Illegal monitoring of activities on computer systems

◉ Cyber Security Breaches

◉ Others

The non-physical threats are also known as logical threats. The following list is the common types of non-physical threats;

◉ Virus

◉ Trojans

◉ Worms

◉ Spyware

◉ Key loggers

◉ Adware

◉ Denial of Service Attacks

◉ Distributed Denial of Service Attacks

◉ Unauthorized access to computer systems resources such as data

◉ Phishing

◉ Other Computer Security Risks

To protect computer systems from the above-mentioned threats, an organization must have logical security measures in place. The following list shows some of the possible measures that can be taken to protect cyber security threats

To protect against viruses, Trojans, worms, etc. an organization can use anti-virus software. In additional to the anti-virus software, an organization can also have control measures on the usage of external storage devices and visiting the website that is most likely to download unauthorized programs onto the user’s computer.

Unauthorized access to computer system resources can be prevented by the use of authentication methods. The authentication methods can be, in the form of user ids and strong passwords, smart cards or biometric, etc.

Intrusion-detection/prevention systems can be used to protect against denial of service attacks.There are other measures too that can be put in place to avoid denial of service attacks.

Source: guru99.com

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What is an Certified Ethical Hacker (Practical)?

About the Certified Ethical Hacker (Practical)

C|EH Practical is a six-hour, rigorous exam that requires you to demonstrate the application of ethical hacking techniques such as threat vector identification, network scanning, OS detection, vulnerability analysis, system hacking, web app hacking, etc. to solve a security audit challenge.

This is the next step after you have attained the highly acclaimed Certified Ethical Hacker certification.

More Info: 312-50: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Professionals that possess the C|EH credential will be able to sit for exam that will test them to their limits in unearthing vulnerabilities across major operating systems, databases, and networks.

You will be given limited time, just like in the real world. The exam was developed by a panel of experienced SMEs and includes 20 real-life scenarios with questions designed to validate essential skills required in the ethical hacking domains as outlined in the C|EH program.

It is not a simulated exam but rather, it mimics a real corporate network through the use of live virtual machines, networks, and applications, designed to test the your skills.

You will be presented with scenarios and will be asked to demonstrate the application of the knowledge acquired in the C|EH course to find solutions to real-life challenges.

The World’s First Ethical Hacking Industry Readiness Assessment That Is 100% Verified, Online, Live, Proctored!

C|EH (Practical) Credential Holders Are Proven To Be Able To:

◉ Demonstrate the understanding of attack vectors.

◉ Perform network scanning to identify live and vulnerable machines in a network.

◉ Perform OS banner grabbing, service, and user enumeration.

◉ Perform system hacking, steganography, steganalysis attacks, and cover tracks.

◉ Identify and use viruses, computer worms, and malware to exploit systems.

◉ Perform packet sniffing.

◉ Conduct a variety of web server and web application attacks including directory traversal, parameter tampering, XSS, etc.

◉ Perform SQL injection attacks.

◉ Perform different types of cryptography attacks.

◉ Perform vulnerability analysis to identify security loopholes in the target organization’s network, communication infrastructure, and end systems etc.

Training Course For the C|EH (Practical)

The preparatory course for this certification is the Certified Ethical Hacker course. While there is no additional course or training required, we strongly recommend that you attempt the C|EH (Practical) exam only if you have attended the current C|EH course/equivalent. The aim of this credential is to help set gifted ethical hacking practitioners apart from the crowd.

About the Exam

Exam Title: Certified Ethical Hacker (Practical)

Number of Practical Challenges: 20

Duration: 6 hours

Availability: Aspen – iLabs

Test Format: iLabs Cyber Range

Passing Score: 70%

Eligibility Criteria

There is no predefined eligibility criteria for those interested in attempting the CEH(Practical) exam. You can purchase the exam dashboard code here

Clause: Age Requirements and Policies Concerning Minors.

The age requirement for attending the training or attempting the exam is restricted to any candidate that is at least 18 years old.

If the candidate is under the age of 18, they are not eligible to attend the official training or eligible to attempt the certification exam unless they provide the accredited training center/EC-Council a written consent of their parent/legal guardian and a supporting letter from their institution of higher learning. Only applicants from nationally accredited institution of higher learning shall be considered.

Disclaimer:

◉ EC-Council reserves the right to impose additional restriction to comply with the policy. Failure to act in accordance with this clause shall render the authorized training center in violation of their agreement with EC-Council.

◉ EC-Council reserves the right to revoke the certification of any person in breach of this requirement.

How to Schedule the C|EH (Practical) Exam

Application Process

◉ In order to proceed with the exam the below steps will need to be completed:

◉ The exam dashboard code can be purchased here.

Upon successful purchase, the candidate will be sent the exam dashboard code with instructions to schedule the exam.

Note: The exam dashboard code is valid for 1 year from date of receipt.

◉ Should you require the exam dashboard code validity to be extended, kindly contact practicals@eccouncil.org before the expiry date. Only valid/ active codes can be extended.

◉ The exam needs to be scheduled a min 3 days prior to the desired exam date. Exam slots are subject to availability.

Exam Sanctity

The trust that the industry places in our credentials is very important to us. We see it as our duty to ensure that the holders of this credential are proven hands-on, ethical hackers who are able to perform in the real world to solve real world challenges.

As such, the C|EH Practical is designed as a hands-on exam that will test the skills of the ethical hacker BEYOND just their knowledge.

This exam is a proctored, practical exam that can last up to 6 hours.

Source: cert.eccouncil.org

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What is an EC-Council Certified Encryption Specialist (ECES)?

What is an Encryption Specialist?

The EC-Council Certified Encryption Specialist (ECES) program introduces professionals and students to the field of cryptography. The participants will learn the foundations of modern symmetric and key cryptography including the details of algorithms such as Feistel Networks, DES, and AES. Other topics introduced:

Overview of other algorithms such as Blowfish, Twofish, and Skipjack

Hashing algorithms including MD5, MD6, SHA, Gost, RIPMD 256 and others.

Asymmetric cryptography including thorough descriptions of RSA, Elgamal, Elliptic Curve, and DSA.

Significant concepts such as diffusion, confusion, and Kerkchoff’s principle.

Certification Target Audience

This course is excellent for ethical hackers and penetration testing professionals as most penetration testing courses skip cryptanalysis completely. Many penetration testing professionals testing usually don’t attempt to crack cryptography. A basic knowledge of cryptanalysis is very beneficial to any penetration testing.

Exam Information

ECES exam is available at the ECC Exam Center.

EC-Council reserves the right to revoke the certification status of candidates that do not comply with all EC-Council examination policies found here.

ECES Exam Details
Duration	2 Hours
Questions	50

Clause: Age Requirements and Policies Concerning Minors

The age requirement for attending the training or attempting the exam is restricted to any candidate that is at least 18 years old.

If the candidate is under the age of 18, they are not eligible to attend the official training or eligible to attempt the certification exam unless they provide the accredited training center/EC-Council a written consent of their parent/legal guardian and a supporting letter from their institution of higher learning. Only applicants from nationally accredited institution of higher learning shall be considered.

Source: cert.eccouncil.org

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What is an Certified Application Security Engineer (CASE)?

Who is an Application Security Engineer?

An Application Security Engineer is a professional with essential and fundamental skills to develop secure and robust applications. Secure programmers have mastery and skills to code securely, identify common application flaws, and debug the errors.

Become a Certified Application Security Engineer (CASE)

The CASE certification is an perfect title for application security engineers, analysts, testers, and anyone with exposure to any phase of SDLC. Holding this title proves capabilities to build secure applications that are robust enough to meet today’s challenging operational environment by focusing not just on secure coding, but much more.

CASE .Net Certification:

The CASE .Net certification is intended for software engineers who are responsible for designing, building and deploying secure Web based applications with .NET framework.

CASE Java Certification:

The CASE Java certification is intended for software engineers who are responsible for designing, building and deploying secure Web based applications with Java.

Note:

Both the above certifications are independent of each other, candidates may choose to sit either or both these exams if eligible.

Benefits of holding this certification:

Immediate Credibility:

The CASE program affirms that you are indeed an expert in application security. It also demonstrates the skills that you possess for employers globally.

Pertinent Knowledge:

Through the CASE certification and training program, you will be able to expand your application security knowledge.

Multifaceted Skills:

CASE can be applied to a wide variety of platforms, such as, mobile applications, web applications, IoT devices, and many more.

A Holistic Outlook:

Ranging from pre-deployment to post-deployment security techniques, covering every aspect of secure – software development life cycle, CASE arms you with the necessary skills to build a secure application.

Better Protect and Defend:

By making an application more secure you are also helping defend both organizations and individuals globally. As a CASE, it is in your hands to protect and defend and ultimately help build a safer world.

Exam Information:
Number of Questions	50
Test Duration	2 Hours
Test Format	Multiple Choice
Proctored	Yes
Remote exam availability	Yes
Availability	EC-Council Exam Portal

Exam Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply to sit for the CASE Exam, the candidate must either:

Complete the official EC-Council CASE training through an accredited EC-Council Partner (Accredited Training Centre/ iWeek/ iLearn) (All candidates are required to pay the USD100 application fee unless your training fee already includes this) or be an ECSP (.NET/ Java) member in good standing (you need not pay a duplicate application fee, as this fee has already been paid) or have a minimum of 2 years working experience in InfoSec/ Software domain (you will need to pay USD 100 as a non-refundable application fee) or have any other industry equivalent certifications such as GSSP .NET/Java (you will need to pay USD 100 as a non-refundable application fee) For more information click CASE Exam Eligibility.

Source: eccouncil.org

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What is an Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator?

What is a Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator?

Computer hacking forensic investigation is the process of detecting hacking attacks and properly extracting evidence to report the crime and conduct audits to prevent future attacks.

Computer crime in today’s cyber world is on the rise. Computer Investigation techniques are being used by police, government and corporate entities globally and many of them turn to EC-Council for our Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI Certification Program. Computer Security and Computer investigations are changing terms. More tools are invented daily for conducting Computer Investigations, be it computer crime, digital forensics, computer investigations, or even standard computer data recovery, The tools and techniques covered in EC-Council’s CHFI program will prepare the student to conduct computer investigations using groundbreaking digital forensics technologies.

Read More: 312-49: Computer Hacking Forensic Investigation

Computer forensics is simply the application of computer investigation and analysis techniques in the interests of determining potential legal evidence. Evidence might be sought in a wide range of computer crime or misuse, including but not limited to theft of trade secrets, theft of or destruction of intellectual property, and fraud. CHFI investigators can draw on an array of methods for discovering data that resides in a computer system, or recovering deleted, encrypted, or damaged file information known as computer data recovery.

Electronic evidence is critical in the following situations:

◉ Disloyal employees

◉ Computer break-ins

◉ Possession of pornography

◉ Breach of contract

◉ Industrial espionage

◉ E-mail Fraud

◉ Bankruptcy

◉ Disputed dismissals

◉ Web page defacements

◉ Theft of company documents.

Become a Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator

The CHFI certification validate the candidate’s skills to identify an intruder’s footprints and to properly gather the necessary evidence to prosecute in the court of law.

Certification Target Audience

◉ Police and other law enforcement personnel

◉ Defense and Military personnel

◉ e-Business Security professionals

◉ Systems administrators

◉ Legal professionals

◉ Banking, Insurance and other professionals

◉ Government agencies

◉ IT managers

Exam Information

The CHFI certification is awarded after successfully passing the exam EC0 312-49.

CHFI EC0 312-49 exams are available at ECC exam center around the world.

CHFI Exam Details

CHFI Exam Details
Duration	4 Hours
Questions	150

Passing Criteria:

In order to maintain the high integrity of our certifications exams, EC-Council Exams are provided in multiple forms (I.e. different question banks). Each form is carefully analyzed through beta testing with an appropriate sample group under the purview of a committee of subject matter experts that ensure that each of our exams not only have academic rigor but also have "real world" applicability. We also have a process to determine the difficulty rating of each question . The individual rating then contributes to an overall "Cut Score" for each exam form. To ensure each form has equal assessment standards, cut scores are set on a "per exam form" basis. Depending on which exam form is challenged, cut scores can range from 60% to 85%.

Clause: Age Requirements and Policies Concerning Minors

The age requirement for attending the training or attempting the exam is restricted to any candidate that is at least 18 years old.

If the candidate is under the age of 18, they are not eligible to attend the official training or eligible to attempt the certification exam unless they provide the accredited training center/EC-Council a written consent of their parent/legal guardian and a supporting letter from their institution of higher learning. Only applicants from nationally accredited institution of higher learning shall be considered.

Source: cert.eccouncil.org

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What is an EC-Council Disaster Recovery Professional?

What is Disaster Recovery?

Disaster recovery is the process, policies, and procedures related to preparing for recovery or continuation of technology infrastructure critical to an organization after a natural or human-induced disaster. Disaster recovery is a subset of business continuity. While business continuity involves planning for keeping all aspects of a business functioning in the midst of disruptive events, disaster recovery focuses on the IT or technology systems that support business functions.

Become a Certified Disaster Recovery Professional

This certification requires the following knowledge and skills:

◉ Working knowledge of all areas of the organization and the ability to develop a clear understanding of the company’s key functional processes and resources.

◉ Thorough knowledge and understanding of current disaster recovery planning techniques and technologies as well as the methods used in performing risk analyses and business impact analyses.

◉ Working knowledge of data processing in order to assist in the preparation of recovery procedures in this area.

◉ Working knowledge of data and voice telecommunications in order to assist in the preparation of recovery procedures in this area.

◉ Good project management skills.

Read More: 312-76: EC-Council Disaster Recovery Professional (EDRP v3)

◉ Ability to plan, organize, and direct the testing of emergency response, recovery support, and business resumption procedures.

◉ Strong interpersonal skills to interface with managers and staff at all levels within the organization and to deal with vendors of record storage facilities and disaster recovery services.

◉ Good oral and written communication skills.

Certification Target Audience

The EDRP certification is ideal for:

◉ Network server administrators.

◉ Firewall Administrators.

◉ Security Testers.

◉ System Administrators.

◉ Risk Assessment professionals.

Exam Information

EDRP (Prefix 312-76) exam is available at the ECC Exam Center.

EC-Council reserves the right to revoke the certification status of candidates that do not comply with all EC-Council examination policies found here.

EDRP Exam Details
Duration	4 Hours
Questions	150

Clause: Age Requirements and Policies Concerning Minors

The age requirement for attending the training or attempting the exam is restricted to any candidate that is at least 18 years old.

If the candidate is under the age of 18, they are not eligible to attend the official training or eligible to attempt the certification exam unless they provide the accredited training center/EC-Council a written consent of their parent/legal guardian and a supporting letter from their institution of higher learning. Only applicants from nationally accredited institution of higher learning shall be considered.

Source: cert.eccouncil.org

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What is an EC-Council Certified Security Specialist (ECSS)?

What is Security Specialist?

EC-Council Certified Security Specialist (ECSS) allows students to enhance their skills in three different areas namely information security, network security, and computer forensics.

Information security plays a vital role in most organizations. Information security is where information, information processing, and communications are protected against the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and information processing. In communications, information security also covers trustworthy authentication of messages that covers identification of verifying and recording the approval and authorization of information, non-alteration of data, and the non-repudiation of communication or stored data.

Certification Target Audience

This course will benefit students who are interested in learning the fundamentals of information security, network security, and computer forensics.

Exam Information

ECSS exam is available at the ECC Exam Center.

EC-Council reserves the right to revoke the certification status of candidates that do not comply with all EC-Council examination policies found here.

ECSS Exam Details
Duration	2 Hours
Questions	50

Read More: EC-Council ECSS v9 Exam Syllabus Topics

Clause: Age Requirements and Policies Concerning Minors

The age requirement for attending the training or attempting the exam is restricted to any candidate that is at least 18 years old.

If the candidate is under the age of 18, they are not eligible to attend the official training or eligible to attempt the certification exam unless they provide the accredited training center/EC-Council a written consent of their parent/legal guardian and a supporting letter from their institution of higher learning. Only applicants from nationally accredited institution of higher learning shall be considered.

Source: cert.eccouncil.org

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What is an Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)?

EC-Council’s CCISO Program has certified leading information security professionals around the world. A core group of high-level information security executives, the CCISO Advisory Board, contributed by forming the foundation of the program and outlining the content that would be covered by the exam, body of knowledge, and training. Some members of the Board contributed as authors, others as exam writers, others as quality assurance checks, and still others as trainers. Each segment of the program was developed with the aspiring CISO in mind and looks to transfer the knowledge of seasoned professionals to the next generation in the areas that are most critical in the development and maintenance of a successful information security program.

The Certified CISO (CCISO) program is the first of its kind training and certification program aimed at producing top-level information security executives. The CCISO does not focus solely on technical knowledge but on the application of information security management principles from an executive management point of view. The program was developed by sitting CISOs for current and aspiring CISOs.

In order to sit for the CCISO exam and earn the certification, candidates must meet the basic CCISO requirements. Candidates who do not yet meet the CCISO requirements but are interested in information security management can pursue the EC-Council Information Security Management (EISM) certification.

What is the role of a certified Chief Information Security Officer(CISO)?

The CISO position emerged worldwide as a designation of executive leaders who can address the emerging threats to information security by developing and maintaining a tough information security strategy. CISOs – with the experience, leadership, communication skills and innovative strengths are born to resolve the ever-growing information security threats. The CISO of tomorrow will play a vital role in creating effective and efficient processes and will lead a team of technically skilled professionals to defend the core interests of their organization.

Become a Chief Information Security Officer

Today’s world is one of constant and instant information exchange. Organizations, be it private businesses or government bodies, rely on sophisticated computer databases and networks to share digital information on a daily basis with their subsidiaries, branches, partners, clients, employees, and other stakeholders. However, years of information security incidences and the onslaught of the recent cyber-attacks prove that digital data can be easily compromised. Organizations therefore, are increasingly in need of a new set of skills and processes to ensure the security of information at a scale that will be required tomorrow.

If your aspiration is to have the highest regarded title within the information security profession – CISO, if you already have earned the role of a CISO, or if you are currently playing the role of a CISO in your organization without the official title, the CISO designation is the recognition of your knowledge and achievements that will award you with professional acknowledgement and propel your career.

Achieving the CCISO Certification will differentiate you from others in the competitive ranks of senior Information Security Professionals. CCISO will provide your employers with the assurance that as a CCISO executive leader, you possess the proven knowledge and experience to plan and oversee Information Security for the entire corporation.

Certification Target Audience

CCISOs are certified in the knowledge of and experience in the following CISO Domains:

◉ Governance (Policy, Legal & Compliance)

◉ IS Management Controls and Auditing Management (Projects, Technology & Operations).

◉ Management – Projects and Operations

◉ Information Security Core Competencies.

◉ Strategic Planning & Finance

Clause: Age Requirements and Policies Concerning Minors

The age requirement for attending the training or attempting the exam is restricted to any candidate that is at least 18 years old.

If the candidate is under the age of 18, they are not eligible to attend the official training or eligible to attempt the certification exam unless they provide the accredited training center/EC-Council a written consent of their parent/legal guardian and a supporting letter from their institution of higher learning. Only applicants from nationally accredited institution of higher learning shall be considered.

Passing Criteria:

In order to maintain the high integrity of our certifications exams, EC-Council Exams are provided in multiple forms (I.e. different question banks). Each form is carefully analyzed through beta testing with an appropriate sample group under the purview of a committee of subject matter experts that ensure that each of our exams not only have academic rigor but also have "real world" applicability. We also have a process to determine the difficulty rating of each question . The individual rating then contributes to an overall "Cut Score" for each exam form. To ensure each form has equal assessment standards, cut scores are set on a "per exam form" basis. Depending on which exam form is challenged, cut scores can range from 60% to 85%.

Source: cert.eccouncil.org

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What is an Certified Network Defender?

Become a Certified Network Defender

The Certified Network Defender (CND) certification program focuses on creating Network Administrators who are trained on protecting, detecting and responding to the threats on the network. Network administrators are usually familiar with network components, traffic, performance and utilization, network topology, location of each system, security policy, etc. A CND will get the fundamental understanding of the true construct of data transfer, network technologies, software technologies so that the they understand how networks operate, understand what software is automating and how to analyze the subject material. In addition, network defense fundamentals, the application of network security controls, protocols, perimeter appliances, secure IDS, VPN and firewall configuration, intricacies of network traffic signature, analysis and vulnerability scanning are also covered which will help the Network Administrator design greater network security policies and successful incident response plans. These skills will help the Network Administrators foster resiliency and continuity of operations during attacks.

CND is a skills-based, lab intensive program based on a job-task analysis and cybersecurity education framework presented by the National Initiative of Cybersecurity Education (NICE).

Certification Target Audience

The CND certification is for:

◉ Network Administrators

◉ Network security Administrators

◉ Network Security Engineer

◉ Network Defense Technicians

◉ CND Analyst

◉ Security Analyst

◉ Security Operator

◉ Anyone who involves in network operations

Exam Information

Candidate is required to pass exam 312-38 to achieve Certified Network Defender (CND) certification.

CND Exam Details

CND Exam Details
Exam Duration	4 Hours
Number of Questions	100

Passing Criteria:

In order to maintain the high integrity of our certifications exams, EC-Council Exams are provided in multiple forms (I.e. different question banks). Each form is carefully analyzed through beta testing with an appropriate sample group under the purview of a committee of subject matter experts that ensure that each of our exams not only have academic rigor but also have "real world" applicability. We also have a process to determine the difficulty rating of each question . The individual rating then contributes to an overall "Cut Score" for each exam form. To ensure each form has equal assessment standards, cut scores are set on a "per exam form" basis. Depending on which exam form is challenged, cut scores can range from 60% to 85%.

Clause: Age Requirements and Policies Concerning Minors

The age requirement for attending the training or attempting the exam is restricted to any candidate that is at least 18 years old.

If the candidate is under the age of 18, they are not eligible to attend the official training or eligible to attempt the certification exam unless they provide the accredited training center/EC-Council a written consent of their parent/legal guardian and a supporting letter from their institution of higher learning. Only applicants from nationally accredited institution of higher learning shall be considered.

Source: cert.eccouncil.org

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What is an Ethical Hacker?

What is an Ethical Hacker?

To beat a hacker, you need to think like one!

Ethical Hacking is often referred to as the process of penetrating one’s own computer/s or computers to which one has official permission to do so as to determine if vulnerabilities exist and to undertake preventive, corrective, and protective countermeasures before an actual compromise to the system takes place.

Around the world, partners and customers look to EC-Council to deliver the highest quality exams and certifications. EC-Council has developed a number of policies to support the goals of EC-Council certification program, including:

Become a Certified Ethical Hacker

A Certified Ethical Hacker is a skilled professional who understands and knows how to look for weaknesses and vulnerabilities in target systems and uses the same knowledge and tools as a malicious hacker, but in a lawful and legitimate manner to assess the security posture of a target system(s). The CEH credential certifies individuals in the specific network security discipline of Ethical Hacking from a vendor-neutral perspective.

The purpose of the CEH credential is to:

◉ Establish and govern minimum standards for credentialing professional information security specialists in ethical hacking measures.

◉ Inform the public that credentialed individuals meet or exceed the minimum standards.

◉ Reinforce ethical hacking as a unique and self-regulating profession.

Certification Target Audience

The Certified Ethical Hacker certification will fortify the application knowledge of security officers, auditors, security professionals, site administrators, and anyone who is concerned about the integrity of the network infrastructure.

For more information on CEH application process, please click here

Exam Information

The CEH exam (312-50) is available at the ECC Exam Centre and Pearson Vue testing centers.

For VUE, please visit https://www.vue.com/eccouncil. EC-Council reserves the right to revoke the certification status of candidates that do not comply to all EC-Council examination policies found here.

CEH Exam Details

CEH Exam Details
Duration	4 Hours
Questions	125

Passing Criteria:

In order to maintain the high integrity of our certifications exams, EC-Council Exams are provided in multiple forms (I.e. different question banks). Each form is carefully analyzed through beta testing with an appropriate sample group under the purview of a committee of subject matter experts that ensure that each of our exams not only have academic rigor but also have "real world" applicability. We also have a process to determine the difficulty rating of each question . The individual rating then contributes to an overall "Cut Score" for each exam form. To ensure each form has equal assessment standards, cut scores are set on a "per exam form" basis. Depending on which exam form is challenged, cut scores can range from 60% to 85%.

Clause: Age Requirements and Policies Concerning Minors

The age requirement for attending the training or attempting the exam is restricted to any candidate that is at least 18 years old.

If the candidate is under the age of 18, they are not eligible to attend the official training or eligible to attempt the certification exam unless they provide the accredited training center/EC-Council a written consent of their parent/legal guardian and a supporting letter from their institution of higher learning. Only applicants from nationally accredited institution of higher learning shall be considered.

Source: cert.eccouncil.org

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Penetration Testing - Testers

There is the issue of protecting the most critical data of the organization; therefore, the role of a penetration tester is much critical, a minor error can put both the parties (tester and his client) on risk.

Therefore, this chapter discusses various aspects of a penetration tester including his qualification, experience, and responsibilities.

Qualification of Penetration Testers

This test can be performed only by a qualified penetration tester; therefore, qualification of a penetration tester is very important.

Either qualified internal expert or a qualified external expert may perform the penetration test until they are organizationally independent. It means that the penetration tester must be organizationally independent from the management of the target systems. For example, if a third-party company is involved in the installation, maintenance, or support of target systems, then that party cannot perform penetration testing.

Here are some guidelines that will help you while calling a penetration tester.

Certification

A certified person can perform penetration testing. Certification held by the tester is the indication of his skill sets and competence of capable penetration tester.

Following are the important examples of penetration testing certification −

◉ Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

◉ Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP).

◉ CREST Penetration Testing Certifications.

◉ Communication Electronic Security Group (CESG) IT Health Check Service certification.

◉ Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) Certifications for example, GIAC Certified Penetration Tester (GPEN), GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT), Advance Penetration Tester (GXPN), and GIAC Exploit Researcher.

Past Experience

The following questions will help you to hire an effective penetration tester −

◉ How many years of experience does the penetration tester has?

◉ Is he an independent penetration tester or working for an organization?

◉ With how many companies he worked as penetration tester?

◉ Has he performed penetration testing for any organization, which has similar size and scope as yours?

◉ What type of experience does the penetration tester has? For example, conducting network-layer penetration testing etc

◉ You may also ask for the reference from other customers for whom he worked.

When hiring a penetration tester, it is important to evaluate the past year testing experience of the organization for which he (tester) has worked as it is related to the technologies specifically deployed by him within the target environment.

In addition to the above, for complex situations and typical client requirements, it is recommended to evaluate a tester’s capability to handle similar environment in his/her earlier project.

Role of a Penetration Tester

A penetration tester has the following roles −

◉ Identify inefficient allocation of tools and technology.

◉ Testing across internal security systems.

◉ Pinpoint exposures to protect the most critical data.

◉ Discover invaluable knowledge of vulnerabilities and risks throughout the infrastructure.

◉ Reporting and prioritizing remediation recommendations to ensure that the security team is utilizing their time in the most effective way, while protecting the biggest security gaps.

Source: tutorialspoint.com

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Why Artificial Intelligence for Kids?

Artificial Intelligence is the present. The most prominent companies in the world are using AI for various purposes and have come up with groundbreaking services. In this blog, we’ll discuss why artificial intelligence for kids is a great idea. 

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence may seem like a highly complicated concept to learn about. So why should kids learn AI? The answer is simple. In today’s world, most of the products we are using are created with the help of AI. Learning it at an early stage will help the kids understand how it works and what to do with it. Thus, allowing them to use it much more efficiently. The scope of AI is tremendous. Artificial Intelligence for Kids will not only enable them to become more future-ready but will also help them in critical thinking and increase their curiosity to learn. 

We are surrounded by AI more than ever before. From recommendation systems to gaming, most kids are growing up with Artificial Intelligence all around them. The possibilities of using AI are endless. And the sooner we introduce these concepts to the younger generation, the earlier they can understand the technology they use on a daily basis. Before moving further and understanding why artificial intelligence for kids, let us learn in simple terms what AI means.

What is Artificial Intelligence? 

Artificial Intelligence is a branch of computer science that aims to create an intelligent system. The ability of a machine to think and learn without any explicit programming is known as artificial intelligence. Machines learn with experience and can perform human-like tasks; it is an intelligent entity created by humans. To understand this in simple terms, let us take a look at an example. How does a self-driving car work? The machine is trained to understand how a human drives a car. Machines use past data to learn and then perform the same task without being explicitly programmed to do so. There are several advantages of using AI, one of them being it reduces human error. As a result, they are much more reliable and efficient in the way they work.

Since AI is an integral part of our everyday life, kids need to learn AI. It created a great opportunity for them to understand how everyday products work. Ai is not only the future; it is also the present. 

Advantages of Artificial Intelligence for kids

1. Promotes Data Fluency 

We are surrounded by data. The amount of data being generated on a daily basis has increased immensely over the past few years and is only said to keep growing. If kids are exposed to big data from an early age, they will understand how to collect, examine, and analyze data. Thus, making them more familiar with the process. AI and Machine Learning require a lot of data to perform well. And thus, learning about these technologies from a young age promotes data fluency and helps in better analysis and understanding of data. 

2. Boosts Imagination

Kids have a greater learning ability. They are more imaginative. Learning AI and machine learning will help widen their learning horizons and push them in the right direction. AIML is a growing field. There is a lot left to be explored, and interacting with these technologies can inspire kids to innovate. 

3. Enhances problem-solving skills 

Among the many benefits of artificial intelligence for kids, one of them is enhanced problem-solving skills. If kids are well-versed in the basic concepts of computer science, they may approach problems from a different perspective. It also increases their curiosity and ability to solve problems. 

4. Better career prospects

Even today, Artificial intelligence is creating new jobs in every field. According to the WEF or World Economic Forum, AI will create up to 58 million jobs in the next few years. Thus, artificial intelligence for kids will help them with their career success in the future. If kids are fascinated by the applications of AI and understand the know-how, they are more likely to want to work in the field once they are ready to do so.

Source: mygreatlearning.com

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