Top 4 Certified White Hat Hacking Training Tips

We dedicated an entire week of posts to breaking into the white-hot information security field, including how to get experience in IT security, tips for crushing your first security interview, certifying as an ethical hacker, and even what to do if you get audited during the certification process.

With today's endless avalanche of malicious attacks, it's no surprise that cybersecurity is one of the hottest skills sets for 2017. As demands for reliable security skills grow, you should be ready.

If you're thinking about specializing in security, there are many options to gain valuable security experience, even in your current position. As you gain experience and progress toward your first security position, it's important to validate your knowledge with certifications, and you have choices.

You can start with CompTIA's security fundamentals, progress to hardware-specific certifications, like Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, and Checkpoint, or gain more general security knowledge with (ISC)2 CISSP.

Though, if you really want to get your hands dirty, we'd recommend studying to become a White Hat Hacker.

Tip #1: Layout an Honest Study Timeline

After you've mapped out your study plan, you should decide how much time you're going to allocate to each topic.

When learning any new topics, you need to decide which areas will need more or less attention. You might even want to start with the basics.

Any security certification validates not only your knowledge of security features, but also your fundamental understanding of basic concepts like routing, switching, and software processes. It can't hurt to go back to Network+, CCNA, and MCSA to get a refresher on the basics.

You don't necessarily have to learn everything again. If you aren't feeling confident about a topic, then only watch those videos.

Not sure what you don't remember? Take a Transcender practice exam to get a good sense of where to focus your efforts.

Tip #2: Practice what you learn

They say that the best way of learning something is to actually do it, and that's especially true while training to become a White Hat Hacker.

Exams validate what you learn, but lab environments reinforce learning with real practical application of the tools, tricks and techniques you learn. That's why CBT Nuggets trainer Keith Barker teaches you how to build your own Kali Linux home lab before getting into the certification material.

See and learn for yourself how perimeter defenses work. Mount your own denial of service. Introduce viruses (safely) into your network.

Virtual labs are a key component to CBT Nuggets training. White Hat Hacking is certainly no different.

Tip #3: Measure your progress with practice tests and quizzes

The best way to see if you know the material is to take frequent practice tests. We've embraced that by including in-video quizzes in the White Hat Hacking course.

You'll get an immediate sense of how well you are mastering the content and know which topics need additional study time.

Tip #4: Don't spin your wheels. Start today.

Cybersecurity is certainly one of the fastest growing areas of opportunity and certified professionals are in great demand.

The Certified Ethical Hacker is arguably the best-recognized certification in the IT security space, so start on the CEH path today.

Good Luck.

CBT Nuggets has everything you need to learn new IT skills, certify on in-demand technologies, and advance your career unlimited video training and practice exams, virtual labs, validated learning with in-video quizzes, personalized study plans, and access to our exclusive community of professionals. Learn more about the CBT Nuggets Learning Experience.