CEH vs. Pentest+: Which Certification is Right for You?

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, certifications play a crucial role in validating an individual's skills and knowledge. Two of the most respected certifications in the field are the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and CompTIA Pentest+. Both of these certifications focus on penetration testing and ethical hacking but have distinct differences in their approach, content, and industry recognition. This article will provide a comprehensive comparison of CEH and Pentest+, helping you decide which certification is right for your career path.

Overview of CEH

What is CEH?

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, offered by the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council), is one of the most recognized certifications in the cybersecurity industry. It focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in computer systems and understanding how to secure them.

CEH Curriculum and Exam Details

The CEH certification covers a broad range of topics, including:

• Ethical hacking introduction: Understanding the role and responsibilities of an ethical hacker.
• Reconnaissance techniques: Gathering information about the target system.
• Scanning networks: Identifying live systems and open ports.
• Gaining access: Exploiting vulnerabilities to access systems.
• Maintaining access: Ensuring continued access to the system.
• Covering tracks: Techniques to hide the presence and actions of the hacker.

The CEH exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions, and candidates have four hours to complete it. The exam tests a wide range of skills, from theoretical knowledge to practical hacking techniques.

CEH Prerequisites and Cost

Candidates for the CEH certification must have at least two years of work experience in the information security domain or complete an official EC-Council training. The cost of the CEH exam is around $850, with additional costs for training materials and courses.

Overview of Pentest+

What is Pentest+?

The CompTIA Pentest+ certification is a newer addition to the field of cybersecurity certifications, focusing specifically on penetration testing. It is designed to validate the skills required to identify, exploit, report, and manage vulnerabilities on a network.

Pentest+ Curriculum and Exam Details

The Pentest+ certification includes the following domains:

• Planning and Scoping: Defining the scope of penetration testing activities.
• Information Gathering and Vulnerability Identification: Techniques to gather information and identify vulnerabilities.
• Attacks and Exploits: Performing attacks and exploiting vulnerabilities.
• Reporting and Communication: Documenting findings and communicating results to stakeholders.
• Tools and Code Analysis: Using tools and scripts for penetration testing.

The Pentest+ exam is composed of a maximum of 85 questions, including multiple-choice and performance-based questions, and candidates have 165 minutes to complete it.

Pentest+ Prerequisites and Cost

There are no formal prerequisites for the Pentest+ certification, although it is recommended that candidates have at least three to four years of information security experience. The exam costs approximately $404.

CEH vs. Pentest+: Key Differences

Focus and Depth of Content

CEH provides a comprehensive overview of various hacking techniques and tools, with a strong emphasis on the theoretical aspects of ethical hacking. It covers a wide range of topics, making it suitable for those who want a broad understanding of cybersecurity.

Pentest+, on the other hand, is more focused on practical penetration testing skills. It emphasizes hands-on experience and real-world scenarios, making it ideal for professionals who want to specialize in penetration testing.

Industry Recognition and Career Impact

The CEH certification is well-established and recognized globally, often considered a benchmark for ethical hacking skills. It is particularly valued by employers in government and large corporations.

Pentest+ is gaining recognition and is respected for its practical approach. It is ideal for roles that require in-depth penetration testing skills, such as penetration testers, vulnerability assessment analysts, and network security specialists.

Cost and Time Investment

The CEH certification is more expensive, with higher costs for the exam and training. It also requires prior work experience or completion of official training, which can be a barrier for some candidates.

Pentest+ is more affordable and accessible, with no formal prerequisites. This makes it a cost-effective option for professionals looking to enter the field of penetration testing.

Choosing the Right Certification for You

Consider Your Career Goals

If your goal is to have a broad understanding of ethical hacking and cybersecurity, and you aim to work in roles that require a recognized certification, CEH may be the better choice. It is particularly valuable for those looking to work in government or large enterprises.

If you are focused on becoming a specialized penetration tester and want to gain practical, hands-on experience, Pentest+ is likely the better fit. It provides a more focused curriculum and is designed to prepare you for real-world penetration testing challenges.

Evaluate Your Experience and Resources

Consider your current experience and resources. If you have the necessary work experience or can afford the cost of CEH training, the CEH certification can be a valuable investment. However, if you are newer to the field or looking for a more affordable option, Pentest+ offers a practical and cost-effective pathway.

Assess Industry Demand

Research the demand for each certification in your target job market. While both certifications are respected, certain regions or employers may prefer one over the other. Understanding the specific requirements of your desired career path can help you make an informed decision.

Conclusion

Both CEH and Pentest+ certifications offer valuable skills and knowledge for cybersecurity professionals. Your choice between the two should be guided by your career goals, current experience, and the specific demands of the job market. By carefully considering these factors, you can select the certification that best aligns with your aspirations and sets you on a path to success in the dynamic field of cybersecurity.

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Clearing Logs in Cybersecurity: Why and How to Clear Logs

Logs are digital records that collect information on the events within a computer system or network. There are many different reasons to maintain logs, from helping with troubleshooting to monitoring user activity.

In the context of cybersecurity investigations, “clearing logs” refers to the action of intentionally deleting or removing log entries. While there are legitimate reasons to clear event logs, organizations need to ensure that they comply with the applicable laws and regulations and avoid the potential risks of doing so. This article will discuss everything you need to know about clearing logs: what it is, how to do it, the risks and consequences of doing so, and more.

Why Do Organizations Maintain Logs?

Organizations maintain logs (also known as “log retention”) for a variety of reasons, including:

• Troubleshooting and performance monitoring: Logs can record information about errors, technical problems, and performance issues within an IT environment. This data can be invaluable in helping IT administrators detect and resolve concerns.
• Audits: External auditors may require organizations to keep logs as part of regulatory compliance requirements for laws such as HIPAA and GDPR. These logs prove user activities and system processes, confirming that the business has not violated laws or guidelines.
• Incident detection and response: Time is of the essence when a cyberattack occurs, and log monitoring can help IT security experts detect and respond to potential incidents more quickly. Logs record suspicious activities and anomalies that can be analyzed by SIEM (security information and event management) software.
• Digital forensics: Following a cyberattack or other crime, logs can play a crucial role in digital forensics, helping security analysts reconstruct the chain of events. Logs offer insights into how the attackers entered the network and what they did after the breach.
• Monitoring user activity: Logs record the actions of users within an IT environment, from the applications they use to the websites they visit. Businesses can use logs to keep track of user activity and ensure that they do not take unauthorized actions.

What Are the Ethical Considerations of Clearing Logs?

There are many good reasons to maintain logs; however, organizations may also wish to clear logs occasionally. The motives for clearing logs include:

• Performing routine maintenance (for example, to free up storage space).
• Deleting irrelevant data to help better monitor the IT environment.
• Preserving the privacy of sensitive personal data (e.g., in accordance with laws such as GDPR).

Organizations should clear logs in a controlled and responsible manner, accounting for their business requirements and legal obligations. Below are some ethical considerations when clearing logs:

• Transparency and accountability: Clearing logs can make it harder for organizations to remain transparent and accountable for their actions. Because logs record important IT events and user actions, clearing them without proper justification could be seen as an attempt to hide information.
• Hampering investigations: As discussed above, logs can be valuable evidence when looking into events such as a cyberattack. Clearing logs may impede these investigations, making it difficult or impossible to determine the root cause of a security breach.
• Legal and regulatory compliance: Maintaining logs may be necessary in the event of an audit or to comply with applicable laws and regulations. Organizations need to ensure that clearing logs does not prevent them from proving their compliance to external auditors.

How Can Logs Be Cleared?

The best way to clear logs is by using one of the various log management tools on the market. These solutions include Splunk, Datadog, SolarWinds Papertrail, Sumo Logic, and many more. Log management tools help users gather, store, and analyze the log data that they collect from the sources in their IT environment.

Logs can be cleared either manually or automatically:

• Manually clearing logs involves the actions of human employees, such as system administrators and other IT personnel. Users manually inspect logs to determine if they need to be retained or can be deleted.
• Automatically clearing logs involves the use of log management tools. Logs are automatically cleared when a specific event is triggered — for example, the log may be older than a specific date, or the system may have run out of storage space.

Whether clearing logs happens manually or automatically (or a mixture of both), organizations need to protect logs from unauthorized modification or deletion. The challenges and risks here include:

• Accidents: Users may accidentally delete entries that should have been retained when manually clearing logs. Automatic log management tools may also be configured incorrectly, causing them to unintentionally delete important information.
• Insider threats: Employees with hidden or malicious motivations may be insider threats, seeking to tamper with log data for their purposes. They might look to hide their actions or hinder the work of auditors or investigators.
• Cyberattacks: Savvy attackers often attempt to clear logs to cover their own tracks after breaching an organization’s defenses. This requires them to acquire additional permissions within the IT environment, a technique known as privilege escalation.

What Are the Consequences of Clearing Logs?

When organizations clear event logs, this can have both intended and unintended consequences. Clearing logs can result in outcomes such as:

• Incident response: If the logs of a security event are cleared, this can prevent organizations from effectively detecting and responding to intrusions.
• Forensic investigations: Cleared logs may contain crucial information that could be evidence in a digital forensics investigation.
• Legal proceedings: Organizations involved in legal proceedings may be subject to civil or criminal penalties if they destroy logs related to the case.
• Reputational damage: Clearing logs can damage an organization’s customer reputation, lowering its transparency and accountability.
• Regulatory compliance: Businesses may face repercussions from industry regulators and auditors who need to view log entries as part of their work.

How Can Organizations Ensure Log Integrity and Security?

In the face of these challenges and consequences, organizations need to preserve log integrity and security, only clearing logs when necessary. Below are some best practices when clearing logs:

• Retention policies: Logs should be retained for at least as long as the applicable laws and regulations require them to be stored.
• Access control: Organizations should restrict log access and deletion rights to employees with a solid business use case.
• Encryption: Encrypting logs in transit and at rest can help prevent malicious actors from viewing them and tampering with their contents.
• Secure storage: Logs should be stored in a secure place that requires users to authenticate their identity before viewing them.
• Backups: Organizations should keep log backups in a secondary location, especially logs needed for audits and regulatory compliance.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Navigating the World of Ethical Hacking with the C|EH Program: Interview with Andreas Constantinides

In the current threat landscape, where cyber threats are rapidly evolving and increasing, organizations need to employ advanced security protocols, such as ethical hacking and pen testing, that aim to proactively identify and rectify vulnerabilities within systems, networks, and applications. With the advancement of technology, the importance of ethical hacking has become increasingly critical to protect sensitive information from malicious actors. Ethical hackers utilize their skills to simulate a cyberattack, enabling organizations to identify the gaps and fortify their defenses accordingly. In this ongoing effort, ethical hacking programs such as C|EH play a vital role in equipping cybersecurity aspirants with much-needed technical skills to contribute towards building a resilient cybersecurity posture for organizations.

Toward understanding the practical implementation of C|EH in disseminating relevant skills to ethical hackers across the globe, we interviewed Andreas Constantinides, Manager at Odyssey Cybersecurity, who has over 20 years of industry experience in the fields of information security, security design, threat analysis, incident response, and network security. He has experience managing SOC and Managed Security Services (MSS) capabilities for over a decade and currently serves as the Manager of Professional Services, delivering top-tier security solutions.

Can you share a brief overview of your professional background and experience?

I have always been a curious individual, perpetually intrigued by the inner workings of things. My journey began in my teenage years when I delved into independent research, identifying and reporting bugs, crafting simple exploits, and even contributing articles about cybersecurity news to a local computer magazine.

Transitioning into the corporate world, I embarked on my path as a security engineer. I spearheaded the implementation of diverse technologies, designed secure network architectures, and actively participated in pivotal tasks such as penetration testing and vulnerability assessments.

I also designed and implemented a security operations center (SOC) with a small team of engineers. Through dedicated effort, I nurtured it into a fully-fledged 24/7 operation, and I proudly served as its manager for an extensive period.

Today, I lead a Professional Services department, offering an expansive array of security solutions centered around Odyssey’s Clear Skies Cloud SIEM platform. Beyond my profound technical background, I also engage in Government, Compliance, and Risk-related activities, providing various consultancy services. Holding the esteemed position of a QSA auditor for PCI-DSS, the credit card security standard, I’ve amassed a portfolio of certifications, including the C|EH certification.

What role did the C|EH play in advancing your career?

I’ve always been fascinated with hacking activities and experimenting with networks and software. Within the professional world, these activities were formally labeled as “pen testing” to align with acceptable practices. After a decade of immersing myself in this realm, I decided to pursue a certification. This choice was motivated by two primary factors: firstly, to validate my existing knowledge, and secondly, to address any potential gaps that might have eluded my awareness.

I opted for the C|EH (Certified Ethical Hacker) credential. The C|EH program effectively achieves what I sought. It aids in the identification of weak points in my knowledge, bridges knowledge gaps, and rigorously evaluates one’s expertise.

Attaining the C|EH certification is relatively easy for those well-versed in security assessment. Nevertheless, it holds significant value even for seasoned professionals, as it facilitated my deeper comprehension of weak points, enhanced my understanding of concepts, and provided a means of self-assessment.

Furthermore, the C|EH is an excellent entry point for individuals embarking on their journey in ethical hacking. Its practical components offer a more comprehensive exploration, delving further into the subject matter.

In what ways has the Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) certification enabled you to contribute to the cybersecurity community?

Beyond simply claiming experience and substantiating it through the execution of numerous projects and delivering services within the corporate sphere, the C|EH certification bestowed upon me a newfound assurance. This confidence propelled me to embark on personal ventures, including creating a multitude of practice questions designed to evaluate proficiency in security and ethical hacking.

In addition, I am delighted to unveil my recently published book aimed at aiding fledgling cybersecurity engineers in grasping the fundamental principles of cybersecurity. The book titled “Cybersecurity 101: Fundamentals for Junior Engineers and Job Seekers,” is available through Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats.

Moreover, a notable endeavor deserving of mention involves a pro-bono assignment I undertook with great enthusiasm. I had the privilege of designing and delivering a course for children aged 8 to 11, focusing on educating them about online threats, ensuring their safety in the digital realm, addressing online bullying, emphasizing password security, threats in online gaming, and more. This task presented considerable challenges as I needed to adapt my communication style to effectively engage with young minds, crafting narratives that translated complex cybersecurity concepts into an easily digestible format for kids. The course incorporated diverse stories and interactive games. Additionally, I created a custom snake and ladder game that incorporated cybersecurity threats and best practices, allowing the kids to engage in a practical and enjoyable learning experience beyond the classroom. The successful execution of this initiative brings me immense satisfaction and pride.

Exploring the Practical Applications of Key Modules in the C|EH Program:

The Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) program provides a holistic security perspective on securing networks, with each separate module designed to equip individuals with practical skills and knowledge in various aspects of ethical hacking and cybersecurity. Below, I provide some of these modules and their practical uses.

The Introduction to Ethical Hacking serves as the foundation, as it introduces principles, methodologies, and legal considerations of ethical hacking. Its practical use is to understand the ethical hacking landscape and set the context for the subsequent modules.

In Footprinting and Reconnaissance, you delve into getting information about a target system or network using various tools and techniques. Following the Footprinting, you then get into scanning networks, where you learn to discover active hosts, open ports, and services on a network. Its practical use is to identify potential entry points and weaknesses in a target network.

During Vulnerability Analysis, you learn to assess the vulnerabilities of target systems and applications. You will be able to identify weak points that could be exploited by malicious actors and propose remediation strategies. In System Hacking, you will explore methods to compromise target systems, including password cracking and privilege escalation. Its practical use is simulating real-world attacks to understand how adversaries gain unauthorized access. In Sniffing, you will learn about network traffic interception, analysis, and countermeasures. You will identify sensitive data leaks and how to secure network communication.

Social Engineering is one of my favorites because humans are always the weakest link. This module covers psychological manipulation techniques attackers use to exploit human behavior. You then learn how to raise awareness about social engineering tactics and implement safeguards against them.

In Hacking Web Applications and SQL Injection, you learn about exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications and databases. You learn how these attacks work, how to exploit vulnerabilities, and methods to mitigate them.

These are just some of the components of the C|EH. The complete list provides practical skills for ethical hacking, penetration testing, and strengthening cybersecurity defenses. The knowledge gained enables professionals to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, ensuring the security of systems and networks, among other skills.

How does C|EH contribute to teaching and skill-building the core and fundamental skills needed for any cybersecurity professional?

The C|EH program plays a crucial role in acquiring and developing the core skills required for any cybersecurity professional. It achieves this by offering hands-on training that simulates real-world scenarios, enabling participants to gain practical experience in identifying vulnerabilities, exploiting weaknesses, and implementing security measures to mitigate risks.

One of the key benefits of the C|EH program is its focus on delving into the mindset and tactics of malicious hackers. This provides cybersecurity professionals with valuable insights into the methods employed by attackers, enabling them to design robust defense strategies and stay ahead of emerging threats. The program also covers vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT) domains. In this, you will learn how to conduct ethical assessments of vulnerabilities and perform penetration tests to expose potential security gaps ethically. With its comprehensive curriculum, the C|EH program covers an extensive range of topics, including network security, cryptography, malware analysis, social engineering, and wireless security. This breadth ensures that participants develop a well-rounded skill set that prepares them for the diverse challenges that they will face in the field. An essential aspect of the C|EH program is its emphasis on the legal and ethical aspects of hacking. During this, you will gain an understanding of the importance of conducting ethical assessments within the boundaries of laws and regulations, ensuring a responsible and principled approach.

Upon completion, the C|EH certification serves as a globally recognized validation of a professional’s ethical hacking competencies. As I mentioned, for me and numerous experienced individuals, the completion and acquisition of the program were relatively straightforward. Simultaneously, it played a role in pinpointing certain areas that required further strengthening. Additionally, this certification not only enhances career opportunities but also signifies a commitment to ethical hacking practices and a high level of expertise in cybersecurity. The program also equips participants with the ability to assess and manage risks proficiently, including evaluating vulnerabilities’ potential impact and devising effective risk mitigation strategies. With the introduction of practical tools, methodologies, and frameworks, the C|EH program empowers cybersecurity professionals to conduct assessments efficiently and respond effectively to security incidents.

The C|EH program promotes continuous learning, motivating members to collect rewards by engaging in other learning activities or content creation. EC Council also provides webinars and articles to get you up to speed with the latest insights into emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and defense techniques. Furthermore, the program fosters networking opportunities among cybersecurity professionals, creating a platform for knowledge exchange, shared experiences, and collaborative learning.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Inside the Mind of an Ethical Hacker: CEH Insights Revealed

In today's ever-evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity has become paramount. The rapid advancement of technology has brought with it a myriad of challenges and vulnerabilities that require constant vigilance. To combat cyber threats effectively, organizations around the world have turned to ethical hackers, or Certified Ethical Hackers (CEHs), for their unique insights and expertise. In this comprehensive article, we delve deep into the mind of an ethical hacker, unveiling the secrets and strategies that set them apart in the world of cybersecurity.

Understanding the Role of a Certified Ethical Hacker

Certified Ethical Hackers (CEHs) are professionals who possess the skills and knowledge to legally and ethically assess and strengthen the security of computer systems, networks, and applications. Their role is pivotal in identifying vulnerabilities and potential threats within an organization's digital infrastructure before malicious hackers can exploit them. Here, we explore the intricacies of this profession and what it takes to become a CEH.

The CEH Certification

To embark on a career as a CEH, one must first acquire the CEH certification. This globally recognized certification is offered by the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) and is a testament to an individual's competence in ethical hacking. The certification process involves rigorous training and examination, ensuring that CEHs are well-equipped to handle the complexities of modern cybersecurity.

Ethical Hacking Methodology

One of the key attributes that set CEHs apart is their meticulous approach to ethical hacking. They follow a well-defined methodology to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses within a system. This methodology typically includes:

1. Reconnaissance: CEHs gather information about the target system, such as its architecture, applications, and potential entry points.

2. Scanning and Enumeration: They use various tools and techniques to scan the system for open ports, vulnerabilities, and potential exploits.

3. Vulnerability Analysis: CEHs analyze the data collected during scanning to identify weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors.

4. Exploitation: Once vulnerabilities are identified, CEHs attempt to exploit them, simulating the actions of a malicious hacker.

5. Post-Exploitation: After gaining access, CEHs assess the extent of the breach and its potential impact on the system.

6. Reporting: Finally, CEHs provide detailed reports to their clients, outlining the vulnerabilities discovered and recommendations for remediation.

The Code of Ethics

Ethical hacking is guided by a strict code of ethics that ensures the responsible and legal use of hacking skills. CEHs are bound by ethical principles that prohibit them from engaging in any malicious or unauthorized activities. They are committed to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the systems they assess.

CEH Tools of the Trade

To effectively carry out their duties, CEHs rely on a wide range of tools and technologies. These include:

• Network Scanners: Tools like Nmap and Wireshark help CEHs discover open ports and vulnerabilities within a network.
• Penetration Testing Frameworks: Metasploit and Burp Suite are popular frameworks used for penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.
• Password Cracking Tools: CEHs use tools like John the Ripper to test the strength of passwords and identify weak ones.
• Forensic Tools: In cases of security breaches, CEHs employ forensic tools like EnCase and Autopsy to gather evidence and analyze digital artifacts.

Staying Ahead of the Game

The world of cybersecurity is in a constant state of flux, with new threats and vulnerabilities emerging regularly. Ethical hackers must stay updated with the latest trends and technologies to remain effective in their roles. Continuous learning and professional development are essential for CEHs to adapt to evolving threats.

Conclusion

In the realm of cybersecurity, ethical hackers play a pivotal role in safeguarding digital assets and protecting sensitive information. Their commitment to ethical practices, combined with their technical prowess, makes them a formidable force against cyber threats. As organizations increasingly recognize the value of CEHs, the demand for their expertise continues to grow.

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Ethical Hacking Demystified: Your Path to C|EH Certification

In the fast-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, staying one step ahead of potential threats has become paramount. With the exponential rise in cyberattacks, organizations are seeking professionals who can safeguard their digital assets. This is where Ethical Hacking comes into play, and in this comprehensive guide, we will demystify the journey to becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH).

Understanding Ethical Hacking

Ethical Hacking is a skill that involves mimicking the techniques of malicious hackers to identify vulnerabilities within a system's defenses. This process aids organizations in fortifying their security measures proactively. By simulating real-world cyber threats, ethical hackers can pinpoint weaknesses and recommend preventive measures, ensuring robust protection against potential breaches.

The Significance of C|EH Certification

C|EH Certification is a globally recognized credential that validates a professional's expertise in ethical hacking. This certification not only enhances your cybersecurity skills but also opens doors to a plethora of career opportunities. As organizations across industries recognize the value of cybersecurity, having the C|EH certification prominently displayed on your resume can make you a sought-after candidate.

Your Path to C|EH Certification

1. Building a Strong Foundation

Before embarking on the journey towards C|EH certification, it's essential to have a solid understanding of networking, operating systems, and basic security concepts. A strong foundation will provide you with the necessary knowledge to grasp advanced ethical hacking techniques.

2. Formal Training and Education

Enrolling in a reputable C|EH training program is a critical step. These programs offer in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with tools and methodologies used in ethical hacking. Look for accredited courses that cover a wide range of topics, including penetration testing, malware analysis, and vulnerability assessment.

3. Hands-on Practice

Theory alone won't suffice in the realm of ethical hacking. Engage in practical exercises and simulations to apply what you've learned. Experiment with various hacking techniques in controlled environments to gain practical insights into real-world scenarios.

4. Staying Updated

The world of cybersecurity is dynamic, with new threats emerging regularly. Subscribing to cybersecurity news, following industry experts on social media, and participating in online forums can help you stay updated with the latest trends and vulnerabilities.

5. Exploring Specializations

Ethical hacking encompasses a wide array of specializations, such as web application security, network security, and mobile device security. Depending on your interests and career goals, you can dive deeper into these areas to become a specialist in a particular domain.

6. Practice Makes Perfect

Ethical hacking is a skill that improves with practice. Participate in Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions, solve challenges on hacking platforms, and collaborate with fellow ethical hackers to tackle complex problems. This hands-on experience will refine your skills and boost your confidence.

Benefits of Ethical Hacking and C|EH Certification

Earning your C|EH certification offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond career growth:

1. High Demand

Cybersecurity professionals, particularly those with C|EH certifications, are in high demand. As breaches become more sophisticated, organizations require experts who can defend against evolving threats.

2. Lucrative Salaries

Due to the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, individuals with C|EH certifications command competitive salaries. The value of your expertise is reflected in your compensation package.

3. Contribution to Security

By becoming a certified ethical hacker, you contribute to the broader security landscape by identifying vulnerabilities and preventing potential cyber disasters. Your efforts contribute to a safer digital world.

4. Continuous Learning

Ethical hacking is a continuous learning journey. With each new challenge you tackle, you gain insights and skills that make you an even more proficient professional. This field is intellectually stimulating and rewarding.

The Insider's Views

If you're eager to delve deeper into the world of ethical hacking, The Insider's Views offers a plethora of resources to boost your knowledge. From detailed guides on cybersecurity concepts to practical tips on mastering hacking techniques, this platform equips you with the insights you need to excel in the field.

In conclusion, ethical hacking has evolved from a niche skill to a critical component of modern cybersecurity. Acquiring your C|EH certification not only enhances your skill set but also positions you as a guardian of digital landscapes. The dynamic nature of this field ensures that every day brings new challenges and opportunities for growth. As you embark on your journey, remember that ethical hacking is not just a profession—it's a commitment to making the digital world safer for everyone.

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What is Spear Phishing and How Can You Prevent It

Spear phishing is one of the biggest cybersecurity threats that organizations must know. According to Symantec’s Internet Security Threat Report (ISRT), 65% of threat actors have used spear phishing emails to attack. Deloitte estimates that 91% of successful cyberattacks begin with a phishing email.

So, what is spear phishing, and how can you best protect yourself? This article discusses everything you need to know, including a few common examples and their types.

What Is Spear Phishing?

Spear phishing means using targeted emails to a specific person from an attacker attempting to impersonate a trusted third party. A spear phishing email aims to trick the recipient into taking an action that allows the sender to execute a cyberattack.

Users may be fooled into downloading malware or revealing their credentials, such as their username and password. This tactic lets the attacker enter the user’s network undetected and steal data or bring down the environment from within. Attackers may also seek information such as credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and bank accounts that allows them to commit financial fraud.

Because it involves a targeted attack on a single individual or business, spear phishing requires malicious actors to conduct research and reconnaissance on their would-be victims. Hackers may use knowledge such as the targets’ personal and business connections, employers, residence, and even recent online purchases.

Phishing vs. Spear Phishing: What’s the Difference?

It can be easy to get confused about phishing vs. spear phishing. Both terms refer to email attacks that attempt to extract confidential or personal information by impersonating a trusted third party. In particular, spear phishing (a targeted spoof email to a specific recipient as the prelude to a cyberattack) is a subtype of a phishing attack.

The difference between phishing and spear phishing is that phishing is not necessarily aimed at a single target (i.e., an individual or organization). Importantly, many phishing emails do not fall under spear phishing.

For example, mass phishing campaigns attempt to cast their nets to reach as wide an audience as possible. These attacks often impersonate a large, trusted business — such as Amazon or a credit card company — that thousands or millions of people patronize.

On the other hand, spear phishing always has an intended victim in mind. By customizing their attacks to use knowledge of the target, threat actors hope to make spear phishing more sophisticated and effective than a general phishing campaign.

4 Types of Spear Phishing

Spear phishing is a subclass of phishing, but you should be aware of also varieties of spear phishing. Below are some common types of spear phishing:

◉ Whale phishing: Also called “whaling,” whale phishing aims at particularly wealthy or important individuals, such as business executives. Whaling is an effective spear phishing because these targets often have access to funds or IT resources that lower-level employees do not.

◉ Angler phishing: This type of spear phishing targets dissatisfied customers of a business on social media. The attackers pose as representatives of the company, asking customers to provide them with sensitive data to “investigate” their cases.

◉ Barrel phishing: Barrel phishing is a phishing attack that targets many individuals or organizations at once, using a standardized message or template. The name “barrel phishing” refers to the idea that a large number of victims are targeted at once, like fish in a barrel

◉ Clone phishing: An attempt to mimic the previous messages of a legitimate sender is known as clone phishing. However, the attackers replace the attachments or links in the previous email with malware or a spoofed website that steals users’ data.

Best Practices and Tips

The good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent spear phishing attacks. Follow the security tips and best practices below to defend yourself against spear phishing:

◉ Educate and train employees on recognizing phishing and spear phishing campaigns.

◉ Conduct phishing simulations to evaluate the effectiveness of training campaigns.

◉ Scan external links and email attachments for suspicious behavior.

◉ Install antivirus and antimalware software.

◉ Regularly update software and hardware to patch security vulnerabilities.

In particular, spear phishing attacks can be stopped or limited by practicing good cyber hygiene, making it more difficult for attackers to learn about their targets. For example, businesses should avoid publishing email and phone numbers for their employees on their website; visitors can use a contact form to reach out. This method makes it harder for malicious actors to impersonate employees by faking the address in an email header.

Why Should You Pursue the C|EH?

Want to take an active role in preventing spear phishing and other cybercrimes? EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) covers all social engineering techniques in-depth, including identifying theft attempts, assessing human-level vulnerabilities, and proposing social engineering countermeasures. Learn how to detect a phishing attack and perform security audits through hands-on lab exercises. The C|EH helps you master the foundations of ethical hacking and tackle real-world threats. Learn more!

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Five Security Vulnerabilities Ethical Hacking Can Uncover

While the term “ethical hacking” may sound like an oxymoron, ethical hackers are an incredibly valuable resource for organizations today. Whereas malicious hacking is harmful, ethical hacking is beneficial—when done right, it can protect a company’s digital assets and ensure the security of its network.

As a result, ethical hacking skills are in high demand today: A recent report projects that there will be 3.5 million cybersecurity job openings by 2025 (Cybersecurity Ventures, 2021), and ethical hackers in the United States make an average of $102,400 per year (Salary.com, 2021). If you’re looking to develop your ethical hacking skills and become a Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH), now is the perfect time.

An ethical hacker’s job is to attempt to break into a company’s network, understand its security protections and precautions, and identify weaknesses (EC-Council, 2021c). After doing so, they present the company with a list of its security vulnerabilities as well as recommendations for improving security. Ethical hacking often goes hand in hand with other security measures, like penetration testing (EC-Council, 2021b).

In the course of their work, ethical hackers can find many types of network and security vulnerabilities. In this article, we’ll outline five major security vulnerabilities that ethical hacking can reveal.

1. Security Misconfigurations

Security misconfigurations happen when an organization improperly configures or fails to properly utilize all of a system’s security settings, enabling hackers to gain access to its network. A security misconfiguration is often a precursor to a powerful and aggressive attack on a network. Programs like the C|EH train ethical hackers to spot security misconfigurations and then provide recommendations for how a business can remedy them.

2. Injection Attacks

In an injection attack, a malicious actor injects a line of code into a program to gain remote access to an organization’s network (IBM, 2014). Injection attacks are often precursors to larger-scale cyberattacks on a database or website (IBM, 2014). However, appropriate security protocols can stop the malicious injection of code and, if enforced correctly, alert a network administrator. There are many types of injection attacks, with SQL injections among the most prevalent and damaging.

3. Vulnerable System Components 

One of the fundamental challenges in network security is ensuring that all aspects of a network’s systems are secure and up to date—a network is only as secure as its individual components. Using components with known vulnerabilities can create serious network security problems. Ethical hackers can identify these vulnerabilities and determine how to fix them. These fixes may include making improvements to existing security programs and providing recommendations for better security software.

4. Social Engineering

Malicious actors use social engineering tactics to break into an organization’s network by inducing individuals to provide information that enables the hacker to gain illicit access to the organization’s systems (National Institute of Standards and Technology, n.d.). Social engineering attacks may involve, for example, a malicious actor posing as a network administrator and sending out a phishing email to an organization’s members. If users are tricked into giving out their usernames and passwords, the attacker can gain unlawful access to the company’s network. 

Ensuring that employees are aware of social engineering and phishing techniques can lower the odds that such attacks will be successful (EC-Council, 2021a). A company is only as strong as its weakest link. Ethical hacking can help identify these weak links.

5. Authentication Vulnerabilities

Although every network has an authentication process, some networks have particular vulnerabilities that allow a skilled hacker to bypass these authentication measures and breach the network. A C|EH is trained to know what these vulnerabilities are, where to find them, and how to spot them.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Why CEH Practice Exam Is Essential for Exam Prep

The CEH certification is widely acknowledged as a high-quality standard in ethical hacking, and it's frequently used by employers who want to hire professionals in this field. It's also a valuable qualification for professionals working in related areas, such as network and cybersecurity, who wish to demonstrate their expertise and understanding of the best practices in the field. To achieve this EC-Council certification, one must pass an exam, which can be prepared for by utilizing training courses, study guides, CEH v12 PDF materials, and the CEH practice exam.

What is CEH Certification?

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program is intended to aid individuals in developing their skills in ethical hacking and penetration testing. Ethical hacking involves simulating cyber-attacks on computer systems, networks, and web applications with the aim of detecting and correcting vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious hackers.

How to Pass CEH Certification Exam?

The certified ethical hacker certification program is a fundamental course that is carefully designed to provide candidates with comprehensive training in the latest black and grey hacking techniques. This program aims to educate individuals on how to penetrate organizations, analyze potential threats, and assist companies in securing their systems.

Here are some tips to ace your CEH exam!

1. Construct a checklist that contains various CEH Syllabus Topics

The certified ethical hacker certification program is a fundamental course that is carefully designed to provide candidates with comprehensive skills in the latest black and grey hacking techniques. This EC-Council certification aims to educate individuals on how to penetrate organizations, analyze potential threats, and assist companies in securing their systems.

2. Take CEH Practice Exam

Reviewing test modules is a great approach to evaluating your comprehension and time management abilities. The CEH Practice exam can significantly alter the course of your learning journey by providing valuable feedback on your advancement and identifying areas that require further attention. Consistent practice with CEH practice questions can likely enhance your ability to solve problems in a short period of time.

Enhance Your Understanding by Joining the CEH Community

Engaging in group study with fellow exam takers, instructors, and individuals who have already completed the certification can be a beneficial experience. CEH community members share informative posts worldwide, providing practical and theoretical knowledge on various topics. Additionally, forums provide an opportunity to ask questions regarding any areas you may be struggling with.

3. Refer to Recommended Study Materials to Maximize Your Learning Potential

Candidates have access to comprehensive study guides to prepare for their exams, so there is no need for excessive preparation. To learn about the necessary resources for the exam, visit the official website or CEH community spaces. Study guides provide a list of topics to cover, making it easier to gather study materials and simplify the learning process.

4. Understand the CEH Exam Structure

The official EC Council website provides crucial information concerning the exam and preparation. By visiting the website, you can acquire knowledge about the exam format, syllabus, mark weightage, and other relevant aspects that could impact your results. Familiarizing yourself with the exam format will enable you to structure your answers in the most appropriate manner.

5. Enroll in Training Courses

Merely relying on self-study materials may prove to be challenging when attempting to pass the exam. Enrolling in a certified ethical hacker course can be a beneficial way to hone your hacking skills and improve your understanding of the CEH certification. Selecting a suitable course can be a valuable addition to your skillset and resume.

Reasons Why CEH Practice Exam Is Important In Exam Preparation

1. Makes You Familiar with CEH Exam Structure

Repetitive actions yield improved outcomes. Practicing for the CEH exam will aid in understanding the question patterns and types, gain familiarity with the CEH syllabus, and grasp the passing score requirements.

2. CEH Practice Exam Identifies Your Weak Areas

Without knowing our weaknesses, it becomes difficult to gauge our progress or regression. CEH practice exams can pinpoint your areas of weakness, enabling you to adjust your study strategy accordingly and achieve the desired outcome.

3. CEH Practice Exam Improves Speed and Accuracy

The true assessment of your speed for the Certified Ethical Hacker exam can be determined by taking the CEH practice exam. The CEH v12 exam is a timed, computer-based test that consists of 125 questions to be completed within 240 minutes. Practicing is the key to enhancing your speed and precision.

4. Predict Your Score

One aspect of preparing for the online CEH v12 exam is to take a practice exam. The purpose of this is to determine the lowest percentile that you might score. If your scores are consistently decreasing, it is advisable to reassess your study approach and aim to improve your scores.

5. Enhance Your Probability of Getting a High Mark

Ultimately, the goal of your hard work is to achieve a high score. Consistent practice with the CEH practice exam can aid in achieving this goal. Moreover, it can enhance your writing speed, minimize careless errors, and boost your likelihood of obtaining a high score.

Conclusion

Obtaining the CEH certification can be a significant accomplishment for your career in hacking. Hence, it is crucial to make every effort to excel in your examination. Adopting the appropriate strategies and techniques can help you achieve success. Consistent practice is the most effective way to retain information in your mind. To summarize, practice extensively to further enhance your skills.

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C|EH Opens Doors to Multiple Job Roles in Cybersecurity

Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) is a qualification offered by EC-Council that is considered an entry-level certification in cybersecurity. C|EH training covers a range of topics, from penetration testing to forensic investigations, and can lead to a number of different job roles in the cybersecurity field.

Is a Career in Cybersecurity in Demand?

Cybersecurity is one of the most in-demand and fastest-growing career fields today. Cybersecurity jobs are expected to increase in the coming years as the number and sophistication of cyberattacks continue to rise. (Central Michigan University, n.d.)

Despite the high demand for cybersecurity workers, there is a significant shortage of qualified candidates (Lake, 2022). This skills gap presents an excellent opportunity for those considering a career in cybersecurity.

There are many reasons why a cybersecurity career is a good choice. It is an exciting field that is constantly evolving, and no two days are ever the same. It is also a well-paid profession, with average salaries far above the national average.

What Are the Careers in Cybersecurity?

A cybersecurity career can offer a challenging and exciting opportunity to make a difference. Here are just a few of the most popular types of cybersecurity jobs:

◉ Cybersecurity/Information Security Analyst: Identifies potential threats to an organization’s computer systems and networks and develops plans to protect against those threats.

◉ Cybersecurity Engineer: Designs, implements, and maintains security solutions to protect an organization’s computer systems and networks.

◉ Cybersecurity Consultant: Advises organizations to protect their computer systems and networks from attack.

Which Is the Best Career in Cybersecurity?

Your abilities, interests, the job market, and future trends should all be taken into account when deciding which cybersecurity career is appropriate for you.

Each role within cybersecurity requires a different skill set. For example, an information security analyst is responsible for identifying security risks and vulnerabilities, while a cybersecurity engineer designs and implements security solutions. A penetration tester tries to find ways to circumvent security controls, while a security architect designs overall security plans. A security operations center analyst monitors and responds to security incidents.

How C|EH Helps You Start Your Career in Cybersecurity?

EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) credential is the perfect way to start your career in cybersecurity. C|EH is a globally recognized standard for ethical hacking and demonstrates your ability to find and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems. The credential is highly valued by employers and can help you land a job in this growing field.

C|EH covers many topics, including network security, web application security, database security, and more. The exam is challenging, but it is well worth the effort.

How Are the C|EH v12 Modules Mapped to Cybersecurity Job Roles?

The Certified Ethical Hacker version 12 (C|EH v12) program is a comprehensive, hands-on ethical hacking and information systems security course that covers all the latest hacking techniques, tools, and methodologies. The C|EH v12 modules are mapped to specific cybersecurity job roles to provide individuals with the most comprehensive and up-to-date training possible. This allows individuals to gain the skills and knowledge needed to protect organizations from cyberthreats.

The following list includes some of the most common job roles and the corresponding C|EH v12 modules:

Module 1: Introduction to Ethical Hacking

Designed for candidates new to the field of ethical hacking, this module covers the basics of ethical hacking, including its history, definition, and purpose. It also introduces the different types of hackers and their motivations.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and security administrator.

Module 2: Footprinting and Reconnaissance

This module covers footprinting techniques that can be used to gather information about a target system or organization and methods for footprinting specific types of systems, such as web servers, email servers, and DNS servers.

Job roles: Security analyst and penetration tester.

Module 3: Scanning Networks

This module covers network scanning techniques that can be used to identify live systems, open ports, and running services. It also covers methods for bypassing firewalls and IDS/IPS systems.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and security administrator

Module 4: Enumeration

This module covers enumeration techniques that can be used to gather information about users, groups, and resources on a target system. It also covers methods for gaining access to password-protected resources.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and security administrator

Module 5: Vulnerability Analysis

This module covers vulnerability analysis techniques that can be used to identify vulnerabilities in systems and applications. It also covers methods for exploiting vulnerabilities to gain access to systems and data.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and security administrator

Module 6: System Hacking

This module covers system hacking techniques that can be used to gain access to systems. It also covers methods for escalating privileges once access has been gained.

Job roles: Security analyst and penetration tester.

Module 7: Malware Threats

This module covers malware concepts and types of malware. It also covers methods for identifying and removing malware from systems.

Job roles: Security analyst, malware analyst, and incident response specialist.

Module 8: Sniffing

This module covers sniffing concepts and methods for capturing and analyzing network traffic. It also covers methods for detecting and countering sniffing attacks.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and network administrator.

Module 9: Social Engineering

This module covers social engineering concepts and methods for carrying out social engineering attacks. It also covers methods for recognizing and protecting against social engineering attacks.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and security awareness officer.

Module 10: Denial-of-Service (DoS)

This module covers DoS attack concepts, types of attacks, and methods for identifying and mitigating such attacks.

Job roles: Security analyst, network administrator, and system administrator.

Module 11: Session Hijacking

This module covers session hijacking concepts and methods for preventing such attacks.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and network administrator.

Module 12: Evading IDS, Firewalls, and Honeypots

This module covers evasion techniques that can be used to avoid detection by IDS, firewall, and honeypot systems. It also covers methods for detecting and countering evasion attacks.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and network administrator.

Module 13: Hacking Web Servers

This module covers web server hacking concepts and methods for compromising and securing web servers to protect against attacks.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and security analyst.

Module 14: Hacking Web Applications

This module covers web application hacking concepts and methods for compromising and securing web applications to protect against attacks.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and web administrator.

Module 15: SQL Injection

This module covers SQL injection concepts, methods for exploiting SQL injection vulnerabilities, and countermeasures that can be used to prevent SQL injection attacks.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and database administrator.

Module 16: Hacking Wireless Networks

This module covers wireless hacking concepts, methods for compromising wireless networks and strengthening hardening wireless networks to protect against attacks.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and network administrator.

Module 17: Hacking Mobile Platforms

This module covers mobile platform hacking concepts and methods for compromising and strengthening mobile devices and applications to protect them against attacks.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and mobile device administrator.

Module 18: IoT and OT Hacking

This module covers IoT and OT hacking concepts and methods for compromising and strengthening IoT and OT devices to protect them against attacks.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, network administrator, and cyber defense analyst.

Module 19: Cloud Computing

This module covers cloud computing concepts, security issues related to cloud computing, and methods for securing data in the cloud.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, and cybersecurity consultant.

Module 20: Cryptography

This module covers cryptography concepts, methods for implementing cryptographic solutions, cryptographic attacks, and how to counter them.

Job roles: Security analyst, penetration tester, network administrator, and system administrator.

C|EH is Not Just Pentesting or Ethical Hacking

C|EH is a comprehensive security discipline certification that encompasses all aspects of securing information systems. It covers everything from network security and risk assessment to application security and penetration testing.

Pentesting is an important part of C|EH, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. Ethical hacking is also a vital component of C|EH. Ethical hackers use their skills to help organizations assess and improve their security posture. They do this by identifying vulnerabilities and exploits that attackers could use.

C|EH v12 is Mapped to 20 Job Roles in Cybersecurity

The C|EH v12 program has been mapped to 20 job roles in cybersecurity. Each of these cybersecurity jobs has a specific focus within the cybersecurity field. The 20 job roles that are mapped to the C|EH v12 program are as follows:

1. A Mid-Level Information Security Auditor performs audits of systems to ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
2. Cybersecurity Auditors conduct information systems audits to ensure compliance with security policies and procedures.
3. A Security Administrator develops, implements, and maintains security measures to protect computer networks and data.
4. IT Security Administrators oversee the development and implementation of security policies and procedures for an organization’s IT infrastructure.
5. Cyber Defense Analysts analyze network traffic and system logs to identify potential security threats.
6. Vulnerability Assessment Analysts identify and assess vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks.
7. A Warning Analyst analyzes intelligence information to determine if there are any potential threats to an organization.
8. An Information Security Analyst 1 monitors organizational compliance with security policies and procedures.
9. Security Analyst L1 conducts security assessments of computer systems and networks.
10. Infosec Security Administrators develop, implement, and maintain security measures to protect an organization’s information assets.
11. A Cybersecurity Analyst at level 1, level 2, & level 3 performs security analysis of computer systems and networks.
12. Network Security Engineers design and implement security solutions for computer networks.
13. SOC Security Analysts analyze data from security monitoring tools to identify potential security threats.
14. A Security Analyst conducts security assessments of information systems and provides recommendations for improving security.
15. Network Engineers design and implement computer network solutions.
16. Senior Security Consultants provide expert advice on cybersecurity risk management and mitigation strategies.
17. An Information Security Manager oversees an organization’s development and implementation of security policies and procedures.
18. Senior SOC Analysts analyze data from security monitoring tools to identify potential security threats and recommend mitigation strategies.
19. A Solution Architect designs and implements solutions for complex technical problems.
20. Cybersecurity Consultants provide expert advice on cybersecurity risk management and mitigation strategies.

How Has C|EH Become a Benchmark for Hiring Managers?

C|EH has become a benchmark for hiring managers for several reasons. First, C|EH allows hiring managers to identify potential candidates early in the hiring process. Second, C|EH is an impartial and objective assessment of candidates’ qualifications. Finally, C|EH provides a standardized score that can be used to compare candidates’ qualifications across different organizations.

When used correctly, C|EH can help ensure that only the best candidates are hired for critical positions within an organization. This, in turn, can lead to improved organizational performance and profitability. Therefore, it is no surprise that C|EH is quickly becoming the standard assessment tool for hiring managers worldwide.

Source: eccouncil.org

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C|EH Compete (CTF) A Practice Ground for Ethical Hackers

The newly launched version of EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH v12) is upgraded with a new learning framework that aims to provide candidates with holistic training and an interactive way to learn ethical hacking. It consists of four main pillars: Learn, Certify, Engage, and Compete.

Just like athletes need to practice and compete in events to stay in shape, ethical hackers need regular opportunities to constantly test their skills. Through C|EH Compete, participants can compete in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, a valuable resource for honing your ethical hacking techniques. In the blog, we’ll explore what CTF is all about, how you can participate, and how C|EH v12 can help give you a competitive edge.

What is a CTF in Cybersecurity?

A CTF is a security competition where participants must find and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems and applications. The goal is to capture sensitive data, known as “flags,” hidden throughout the system.

The rules vary depending on the contest, but each team receives a set of challenges, which must be solved before moving on to the next. The challenges are designed to test different areas of security, such as cryptography, web security, and binary exploitation.

The team that completes the most challenges in the shortest time is the winner (ENISA, 2022).

What Is the CTF Process?

The challenges in a CTF competition can vary greatly in terms of difficulty and scope. Some challenges require a deep understanding of a particular area of computer security, while others may be much simpler and only require basic knowledge.

One of the most popular types of CTF competitions is the Jeopardy-style format. Teams are presented with various challenges in different categories, such as forensics, cryptography, and web exploitation.

Is CTF a Game?

Yes, CTF is a game – and a very popular one at that. It has become so popular that there are now CTF events being held worldwide.

They are not traditional games but competitions with the primary goal of demonstrating skills in various areas of computer security. This can include everything from finding vulnerabilities in software or systems to developing exploits or tools to help others do the same.

While elements of fun and gamesmanship are involved, CTFs are all about learning and self-improvement at the end of the day. They provide an excellent way for newcomers to get started in the infosec world and for experienced professionals to stay sharp.

One of the best things about CTF is that it’s not just for professional hackers; anyone can participate. Many people participating in CTF events are not particularly interested in hacking – they just enjoy the challenge and the opportunity to learn new things.

If you’re serious about learning and honing your skills, then there’s no better way to do it than with a CTF.

What Skills Do I Need for CTF?

To be a successful Capture the Flag (CTF) player, you need a wide range of skills. Let’s look at some of the important ones below:

◉ The ability to think like a hacker: You need to be able to see beyond the obvious and find creative ways to exploit systems.

◉ Strong technical skills: Good working knowledge of penetration testing and hacking tools and techniques is essential, as is being experienced in using them.

◉ Familiarity with Scripting languages: Scripting languages, such as PowerShell, can give you an extra edge in automating tasks or writing custom tools.

◉ Good teamwork skills: CTF is often played in teams and being able to work effectively with others is crucial to success. Communicating clearly, taking direction, and collaborating on strategies can make all the difference in a CTF match (Khaitan, 2022).

Where Can I Practice CTF?

CTFs are all about finding and exploiting vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive data or take over control of the system. EC Council’s C|EH Compete is a great place to start if you’re new to the world of CTFs. With C|EH Compete (CTF), ethical hackers can practice their skills in a safe and legal environment and compete with their peers, rank on the leaderboard, and gain respect within the community. This platform offers a variety of challenges that will test your abilities and help you become more job ready.

What makes C|EH Compete stand out is that it’s not just for experienced hackers. If you’re new to hacking, you can still participate in the events. Beginner-friendly events will help you get started and learn the basics. You can also join more advanced events once you feel more confident.

How Ethical Hackers Will Benefit from C|EH Compete

Cybersecurity professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve and keep their skills sharp will benefit from C|EH Compete. C|EH v12 offers comprehensive training, hands-on labs, cyber ranges, certification assessments, cyber competitions, and opportunities for continuous learning in one comprehensive program.

Ethical hackers looking to progress their skill set and knowledge will find that C|EH Compete offers the perfect opportunity. Through comprehensive training and assessments, they can develop their skills further and keep up to date with the latest cybersecurity trends. In addition, by participating in competitions and challenges, ethical hackers can put their skills to the test against their peers.

How CTF Is a Competition-Based and Continuous Learning Platform

C|EH helps individuals learn and improve their cybersecurity skills. The program offers new challenges every month. It is an excellent way for individuals to learn about new cybersecurity threats and how to defend against them. Additionally, the platform provides a great opportunity for individuals to network with other security professionals and exchange ideas.

How Ethical Hackers Will Be More Job Ready With C|EH Compete CTF

The C|EH program has been designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify, assess, and mitigate risks posed by digital threats.

It’s a unique opportunity for ethical hackers to showcase their skills in a safe and legal environment. The competition pits teams of ethical hackers against each other in a race to find vulnerabilities in digital systems and earn points.

The C|EH Compete CTF is a great way for ethical hackers to gain experience and hone their skills. They can compete with their peers, rank on the leaderboard, and gain respect from their colleagues. It is also an excellent opportunity for employers to identify talented individuals who can help them mitigate risks posed by digital threats.

C|EH v12 is the only program with a CTF competition as part of its exam. This makes it unique among ethical hacking certifications, and it gives C|EH holders a significant advantage when competing for jobs or contracts that require experience with CTFs. As hackers become more sophisticated, it’s important for businesses to have employees who are trained in ethical hacking techniques. C|EH v12’s new learning framework makes it easier for security professionals to earn their certification and stay ahead of their adversaries.

Enroll in EC Council’s C|EH v12 program to become an industry-ready certified ethical hacker. The new learning framework prepares students for the certification exam in a comprehensive and engaging way to help candidates retain information and apply it in real-world scenarios. It also features updated content on emerging threats, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and cryptography. These are all areas where CTFs are being used to test security, so it’s important for ethical hackers to be up-to-date on these topics. So, what are you waiting for? Start your journey to becoming a certified ethical hacker!

Source: eccouncil.org

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What Is Fog Computing? Importance, Applications, and Everything You Need to Know (C|EH)

Fog computing is an important trend to understand for anyone working in or planning to work in technology. It has many potential applications, from industrial and manufacturing settings to hospitals and other healthcare facilities. But what is fog computing, and how does it differ from cloud computing? Let’s take a look.

What Is Meant by Fog Computing?

Fog computing is a form of distributed computing that brings computation and data storage closer to the network edge, where many IoT devices are located. By doing this, fog computing reduces the reliance on the cloud for these resource-intensive tasks, improving performance and reducing latency (TechTarget, 2022).

Mist computing takes cloud fog computing even further by bringing computation and data storage even closer to the edge, often using devices such as mist computing servers, which are low-power servers that can be deployed in large numbers.

Why Is Fog Computing Used?

There are several reasons why fog computing is used:

◉ To improve latency and performance: Because fog nodes are often deployed at the network edge, closer to the IoT devices themselves, they can substantially reduce the processing time and enhance performance for applications that demand low latency.

◉ To improve decision-making: It can help improve decision-making in real-time as fog computing allows for real-time data collection and analysis from IoT devices.

◉ To reduce costs: Fog computing can also help reduce costs associated with data storage and analysis. This is because, by bringing computation and data storage closer to the network edge, fog computing reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted back to a central location for processing.

What Are the Four Types of Fog Computing?

Fog computing is a term for technology that extends cloud computing and services to the edge of an enterprise’s network. It allows data, applications, and other resources to be moved closer to, or even on top of, end users.

The four main types of fog computing are mentioned below.

◉ Device-level fog computing runs on devices such as sensors, switches, routers, and other low-powered hardware. It can be used to gather data from these devices and send it to the cloud for analysis.

◉ Edge-level fog computing runs on servers or appliances located at the edge of a network. These devices can be used to process data before it is sent to the cloud.

◉ Gateway-level fog computing runs on devices that act as a gateway between the edge and the cloud. These devices can be used to manage traffic and ensure that only relevant data is sent to the cloud.

◉ Cloud-level fog computing runs on servers or appliances located in the cloud. These devices can be used to process data before it is sent to end users.

Where Is Fog Computing Needed?

There are many potential applications for fog computing, including:

◉ Connected cars — collecting and processing data from sensors in real-time to enable features such as autonomous driving and infotainment.

◉ Smart cities — monitoring traffic flows, managing public transportation, optimizing energy use, and more.

◉ Industrial IoT — enhancing efficiency and safety in factories, power plants, mines, and other industrial infrastructure.

◉ Connected health — supporting remote patient monitoring, telemedicine, and other healthcare applications.

◉ AR/VR — enabling low-latency, high-quality augmented and virtual reality experiences.

Fog computing can be used to support a wide range of applications that require data to be processed at the edge of the network. In many cases, moving compute and storage resources closer to the data source improves performance and reduces costs. For example, connected cars generate a significant volume of data that needs to be analyzed in real-time to enable features such as autonomous driving.

Who Uses Fog Computing?

Fog computing is often used in cases where real-time response is needed, such as with industrial control systems, video surveillance, or autonomous vehicles. It can also be used to offload computationally intensive tasks from centralized servers or to provide backup and redundancy in case of network failure.

Components of Fog Computing

Some of the key components of cloud fog computing include the following:

◉ Edge devices: These are the devices located at the edge of the network, closest to the data source. Edge devices include sensors, PLCs (programmable logic controllers), and gateway routers.

◉ Data processing: Data processing is done locally on edge devices rather than sent to a central location for processing. The result is improved performance and reduced latency.

◉ Data storage: Edge devices can store data locally rather than sending it to a central location for storage. This improves security and privacy, as well as reduces latency.

◉ Connectivity: Fog computing requires high-speed connectivity between edge devices and the rest of the network. This is achieved through wired or wireless means.

Why Is Fog Computing Beneficial for IoT?

The internet of things (IoT) is a system of interconnected devices, sensors, and software components that share data and information. The power of the IoT comes from its ability to collect and analyze massive volumes of data from various sources. This data can be used to improve efficiency, optimize operations and make better decisions.

Fog computing in IoT is a decentralized computing model that brings computation and data storage closer to the edge of the network. In other words, fog computing moves processing power and data storage away from centralized server farms and into local networks where IoT devices are located.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Fog Computing?

There are several advantages to using a fog computing architecture:

1. Reduced latency: By processing data at or near the edge of the network, fog computing can help reduce latency.

2. Improved security and privacy: By keeping data and applications closer to the user, fog computing can help improve security and privacy.

3. Increased scalability: Fog computing can help increase scalability as more resources may be added at the edge of the network.

There are also several disadvantages to using a fog computing architecture:

1. Limited resources: Because fog computing relies on devices at the edge of the network, there may be limited resources available. This can impact performance.

2. Complex architecture: Fog computing can be complex to implement and manage because of the distributed nature of the architecture.

3. Limited coverage: Because fog computing is still a relatively new technology, there may be limited coverage in terms of devices and locations that support it (HiTechWhizz, 2022).

Fog vs. Edge Computing

Edge computing, a distributed computing model, processes data and applications at the edge of the network, close to the data source. By contrast, in the traditional centralized model of cloud computing, data and applications are stored in a central location and accessed over the network.

The main difference between fog and edge computing is that fog computing extends cloud services and connectivity to devices at the edge of the network. In contrast, edge computing brings computation and data storage closer to devices at the edge of the network.

What Is Heavy.AI?

Heavy.AI is a powerful artificial intelligence platform that enables businesses and developers to easily build and deploy AI-powered applications. Heavy.AI is built on top of the popular TensorFlow open-source library, making it easy to get started with deep learning and neural networks. With Heavy.AI, you can quickly train and deploy your custom models or use one of the many pre-trained models available in the Heavy.AI marketplace.

How Is Heavy.AI Related to a Fog Computing Solution?

Heavy.AI also offers a fog computing solution that can be used to manage and process data from IoT devices at the edge of the network. This solution can improve the performance of IoT applications by reducing latency and ensuring data is processed locally.

iFogSim is also an open-source fog computing simulator that can evaluate the performance of different fog computing architectures. iFogSim includes a library of modules that can simulate various aspects of fog computing, such as network topologies, device types, and application characteristics.

Aspiring ethical hackers can get certified through EC-Council’s C|EH course. The comprehensive C|EH course covers a wide range of topics related to ethical hacking, including network scanning, enumeration, social engineering, denial-of-service attacks, web application attacks, SQL injection, buffer overflows, and much more.

Source: eccouncil.org

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