The Surprisingly Lucrative World of Ethical Hacking

Introduction 

Think hacking is just for basement-dwelling miscreants and shadowy government agents? Think again. Ethical hacking is a booming industry, and if you've got the tech skills to pay the bills, you could be laughing all the way to the bank. In fact, with businesses more paranoid than ever about cyber threats, the demand for talented hackers who can help keep their networks secure has never been higher. That means you could make serious money doing something you already love. So, if you're ready to take your hacking game to the next level and prove that you're one of the good guys, ethical hacking might be the dream career you never knew you wanted.

Not sure how promising this can be?

Here are some statistics on cyber-attacks in India and around the world, may be this will help you understand the importance and scope of it:

In India,

1. According to a report by cybersecurity firm SonicWall, India recorded the world’s third-highest number of cyber-attacks in 2020, with 39.2 billion attacks. This was a 33% increase from 2019.
2. The most common types of cyber-attacks in India are phishing attacks, which accounted for 57% of all attacks in 2020, followed by malware attacks (15%) and intrusion attempts (12%).
3. The sectors most targeted by cyber-attacks in India in 2020 were government, healthcare, and finance.
4. The average cost of a cyber-attack in India in 2020 was $1.3 million, according to a report by IBM.

Globally:

1. According to a report by cybersecurity firm McAfee, over 419 million cyber-attacks were detected in the first quarter of 2021 alone, a 43% increase from the previous quarter.
2. The most common types of cyber-attacks globally are phishing attacks, which accounted for 90% of all security incidents in 2020, followed by ransomware attacks (6%) and malware attacks (4%).
3. The sectors most targeted by cyber-attacks globally in 2020 were healthcare, manufacturing, and finance.
4. The average cost of a cyber-attack globally in 2020 was $4.24 million, according to a report by IBM.

These statistics highlight the growing threat of cyber-attacks in India and worldwide and the importance of cybersecurity professionals, including ethical hackers, in protecting against these threats.

What precisely an ethical hacker does?

Here are five major career options after learning ethical hacking:

1.     Penetration Tester: A Penetration Tester is responsible for finding vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks before malicious hackers do. They use ethical hacking techniques to test the security of systems and networks and identify weaknesses that must be addressed.

2.     Information Security Analyst: Analysts protect computer networks and systems from unauthorised access or attacks. They use their knowledge of ethical hacking techniques to develop and implement security policies, monitor systems for potential threats, and respond to security incidents.

3.     Cybersecurity Consultant: Cybersecurity Consultants are information security experts who advise and guide organisations on protecting their systems and networks from cyber threats. They use ethical hacking techniques to identify vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for improving security.

4.     Incident Response Analyst: An Incident Response Analyst is responsible for responding to security incidents and mitigating their impact. They use ethical hacking techniques to analyse and identify the incident’s root cause, and develop strategies for preventing similar incidents in the future.

5.     Security Engineer: A Security Engineer is responsible for designing and implementing secure systems and networks. They use their knowledge of ethical hacking techniques to identify potential vulnerabilities and design systems resistant to attacks.

The average salary for a starter in India’s cybersecurity and ethical hacking field can vary depending on the job profile, location, and the candidate's skills and experience. However, here are some estimated salary ranges based on data from Payscale and Glassdoor:

1. Penetration Tester: The average salary for a starter in this role is around INR 300,000 to INR 600,000 per annum.
2. Information Security Analyst: The average salary for a starter in this role is around INR 400,000 to INR 700,000 per annum.
3. Cybersecurity Consultant: The average salary for a starter in this role is around INR 400,000 to INR 800,000 per annum.
4. Incident Response Analyst: The average salary for a starter in this role is around INR 400,000 to INR 700,000 per annum.
5. Security Engineer: The average salary for a starter in this role is around INR 400,000 to INR 800,000 per annum.

It's important to note that these are just estimates, and salaries may vary based on several factors. Additionally, gaining more experience and skills in the field will likely increase your earning potential.

Who hires such experts in India?

Here are some Indian companies that hire candidates with skills in ethical hacking and cybersecurity:

1. Wipro: Wipro is a leading Indian IT services company that provides various technology services, including cybersecurity and information security consulting.
2. TCS: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is a multinational IT services company headquartered in Mumbai. TCS provides cybersecurity services, including vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and incident response.
3. Infosys: Infosys is another leading Indian IT services company that offers cybersecurity services, including threat intelligence, risk assessment, and incident response.
4. IBM India: IBM India is the Indian subsidiary of IBM, a multinational technology company. IBM India provides various cybersecurity services, including managed security, incident response, and penetration testing.
5. Deloitte India: Deloitte India is the Indian subsidiary of Deloitte, a global professional services firm. Deloitte India provides cybersecurity consulting services, including risk assessment, compliance, and incident response.

These are just a few examples of Indian companies hiring candidates with ethical hacking and cybersecurity skills. Many other companies in India require cybersecurity professionals, including government organisations, banks, and financial services companies.

Is this a reliable career opportunity?

Though nothing is time proof and change is the only thing consistent, here are some critical points that will help you make an informed career choice.

1. Cybersecurity is a growing field: With the increasing reliance on technology and the rise of cyber threats, the demand for cybersecurity professionals, including ethical hackers, is expected to grow. This means that there are likely to be plenty of job opportunities available for those with skills in ethical hacking.
2. Protect yourself and others: By learning ethical hacking, you can gain the skills to protect yourself and others from cyber threats. You can use your knowledge to identify systems vulnerabilities and help prevent cyber-attacks.
3. High earning potential: Ethical hacking is a highly specialised and in-demand field, meaning those with skills in this area can command high salaries. This can be a strong motivator for those looking to advance their careers and increase their earning potential.
4. Challenge and excitement: Ethical hacking can be an exciting and challenging field that requires continuous learning and adaptation. It can provide a sense of fulfillment and excitement that many other areas may lack.
5. Make a difference: By learning ethical hacking, you can make a difference in the world by helping to protect against cyber threats and cybercrime. This can be a motivating factor for those who want to make a positive impact in their work.

Overall, ethical hacking is a field that offers many opportunities for personal and professional growth, as well as the potential to make a positive impact on society. It can be an exciting and rewarding career path for those motivated to learn and continually improve their skills.

Way forward

But getting the proper training is essential before you start hacking away at your keyboard. Ethical hacking isn't just about knowing how to find vulnerabilities in computer systems - it's about knowing how to do it safely, legally, and responsibly. That's where an ethical hacking Training comes in. With a quality Training, you'll learn everything you need to know to become a skilled, ethical hacker, from computer networking and security basics to the latest hacking techniques and tools. Plus, you'll get hands-on experience with real-world scenarios, so you can apply what you've learned to the situations you'll encounter on the job. And with the booming demand for ethical hackers, training could be the ticket to a lucrative and fulfilling career in cybersecurity. So why wait? Hack your way to the top with an ethical hacking course today!