The Role of Ethical Hackers (CEH) in Federal Cybersecurity

CIAT offers program paths for people seeking a career in software development and cybersecurity.

U.S. Federal Government agencies engage in cyber warfare against malicious hackers who can potentially breach their secure networks, obtain data illegally, and use their computing abilities for pernicious purposes. This form of warfare does not require the use of munitions nor traditional combat or air support; instead, it requires strategic espionage, covert operations, and a team of specialists known as Certified Ethical Hackers (CEH).

Students looking to become Certified Ethical Hackers (CEH) are recommended to review the advanced certification programs offered by CIAT. We offer several cybersecurity degree programs and certifications:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification
• CISSP Certification
• CompTIA Security+ Certification
• Applied Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems – Cybersecurity Concentration

This article will discuss various requirements for students seeking a career as a U.S. Government certified hacker. We will discuss the education requirements, DoD credential requirements, and certification required for this exciting career opportunity.

Students could consider many career paths when applying for the Federal cybersecurity workforce. Federal agencies continue to compete with the private industry for talent. The field of cybersecurity continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. Students with industry certifications and hacking experience are in demand by Federal agencies.  

Skills and Certifications Required for Ethical Hackers

An ethical hacking job typically requires a technology or computer science bachelor’s degree. If a degree is absent, experience and certifications are used by employers to assess candidates. 

Applicants looking to secure a federal government position involving national cyber security activities should look into obtaining the Certified Ethical Hacking Certification. This certification will help satisfy specific requirements outlined by the DoD 8570 and DoD 8410 standards as mandated by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Can you Work as a Hacker for the Government?

The U.S. federal government is engaging in cyber warfare to combat those who infiltrate secure networks, commit data theft, and use their computer skills for malicious activities.

According to projections, global cybercrime costs are expected to reach $6 trillion annually by 2021. To prevent such crimes, ethical hacking is seen as one of the critical strategies. It involves disrupting malicious activities, identifying target points and tactics, and opposing attackers’ actions.

The government constantly recruits certified ethical hackers (CEH) to become cyber warriors fighting against state-sponsored hackers from China, Russia, North Korea, and other countries.

What are the Requirements for Becoming a Hacker for the Federal Government?

The Department of Defense (DoD) recently changed the 8570 Directive, the Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program, to the 8140 Directive, which necessitates certifications for DoD employees and contractors in their respective areas of professional specialization.

Government agencies require professionals to fulfill specific certification requirements to ensure competency and ethical practices in cybersecurity. These certifications are necessary to detect weaknesses in IT systems using malicious attack techniques.

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) course is created to fulfill the requirements of DoD 8570 and DoD 8410. It covers topics related to cyber threats, such as information security, vulnerability management, network enumeration, etc. The aim is to validate the participant’s knowledge regarding the country’s national security.

Origins of Ethical Hacking

Ethical hack activities originated at Boston University in the 1960s, where they were positively perceived as creative techniques for using machine tools. By the mid-1990s, malicious hacking had increased due to expanded consumer computer use.

Today, ethical hacking has become essential for companies and governments to protect assets and people from bad actors. Organizations clearly understand cybersecurity risks by hiring hackers for their internal and external systems. 

Overall, hackers usually fall into one of three categories: 

• The White Hat Hacker: Their purpose is to find and identify potential vulnerabilities so that countermeasures can be taken to protect the system.
• The Gray Hat Hacker: Generally, these hackers inform the manufacturers of the exposure but do not make the results public.
• The Black Hat Hacker: Black hat hackers are notorious gaining unauthorized access to breach networks to threaten victims by disrupting or destroying data, conducting espionage, and other malicious hacker activities. 

• Blue Hat Hacker: A blue hat hacker typically has a cybersecurity background and is invited by organizations for their system hacking skills to find any security vulnerabilities.