How to Become an Ethical Hacker in Ireland

Ethical hacking is becoming a highly in demand job in the modern world, with the increasingly sophisticated ways that digital security can be compromised. 

If you enjoy problem-solving, helping keep online data safe and using your IT skills for good then this might be the career for you. Find out how you can begin your career as an Ethical Hacker in Ireland and explore a fascinating career in IT.

Ethical hackers are IT security professionals who help evaluate, test and ensure the safety of digital security systems and assist in securing them against cyber attacks. 

Hacking itself is all about trying to get past network security to gain access to private and protected data, and the best way to ensure that hackers are unable to access and use private information for unethical reasons is by checking for any flaws or weaknesses in safety systems. Their work includes testing, evaluating and reporting vulnerabilities or potential risks in a company’s security system.

Ethical hacking itself is the process of testing a network’s security using hacking techniques, but instead of doing so for nefarious reasons, ethical hackers do so in order to help clients make their information as secure as possible and protect against these threats.

Ethical hacking contains elements of other cyber security careers such as penetration testing, but the difference between ethical hacking and penetration testing is that ethical hackers covers more areas of security and requires a more diverse range of skills.

Penetration testing is finding the gaps in a system and trying to gain entry into a system, whereas ethical hacking encompasses other areas of hacking as well as carrying out reports and suggesting other security measures.

Ethical hackers often work for clients across industries such as IT, finance and the government, helping their clients to ensure that their information systems and web applications are secure against malware, have impenetrable firewalls and that their computer systems are appropriately protected against possible cyber attacks.

Ethical hackers usually have some qualifications in IT, such as an undergraduate degree in computer science, software development or software engineering. Although some ethical hackers can get into the industry with a history of proven work experience and practical skills, having a qualification under your belt can greatly increase your chances of securing an ethical hacking position.

Online IT courses will help you develop the key skills necessary to succeed in this career, including fundamental computer skills, software development skills and practical hacking techniques. 

Ethical hackers use a range of techniques to test network security, and through the instructor-led interactive courses and course materials, learners can gain knowledge and experience in all aspects of ethical hacking. Ethical hacking will include security tests such as hacking web servers, SQL injections, social engineering, session hijacking, footprinting and enumeration.

By studying an accredited certification training course, you can learn the methodology and hacking tools to properly test network security, as well as countermeasures that people can put in place to protect their information technology. Courses range from beginner to advanced, so you can upskill your resume to find the ethical hacking position for your skill level, and gain an ethical hacking certification to advance your career.

There are a range of professional and personal skills needed to succeed as an ethical hacker which you can learn through practice, ethical hacking training and learning experience through an ethical hacking course in Ireland. The skillset of an ethical hacker might include:

There are a range of professional and personal skills needed to succeed as an ethical hacker which you can learn through practice, ethical hacking training and learning experience through an ethical hacking course in Ireland. The skillset of an ethical hacker might include:

The more years of experience you can gain in cyber security, IT or ethical hacking specifically the more your resume will be attractive to employers. Therefore spending some time in the professional work-place before embarking on a course can set you up for a smoother study.

If you do not currently have any work experience in ethical hacking, then beginning an entry level role in an IT position can help you obtain hands-on experience to build your career. You can also practice advancing your digital skills at home, and study an IT course to expand your knowledge in areas such as using windows applications, learning about python and getting your fundamental IT skills up to scratch. 

If paid employment in IT is hard to come by without experience, then you can also develop your skills in voluntary roles or work experience placements to gain professional work-based experience.

If you are wondering how to get started in ethical hacking from a position without any experience at all, then just remember that any experience you can gain in IT can add to your credentials. If you are able to gain some work experience in IT and get a completed ethical hacking course under your belt, you can get a job in ethical hacking and begin your career.

There are many career prospects for ethical hackers, and there are fantastic opportunities for career development to senior positions and more high earning opportunities. In Ireland, the large technology sector provides ethical hackers with plentiful opportunities to find work, develop their careers and to develop their skills through professional work.

Some of the key careers that ethical hacking professionals include:

Ethical hackers are in high demand in Ireland thanks to the growing IT industry, so get started on this exciting career. There are a variety of job prospects and career development opportunities for ethical hackers, and by exploring the latest online IT courses you can become an ethical hacker no matter what skills and experience you have.