The exponential rise of connected devices and critical dependence on digital infrastructure has led information technologies to proliferate every part of our lives. While this trend has made our lives easier, it also poses a significant risk to our security and even one weak link in the chain can leave us extremely vulnerable to cybercrime. Cyber threats extend beyond ordinary viruses and malware. In fact, cybercrime is a worldwide war that can put enterprises and nations at risk, and even damage the very infrastructure that we rely on for our daily existence.

All computers today and our connected devices are highly susceptible to being compromised. Since every system can be broken into, we are all exposed to a high risk of cyber attacks. Despite this prevalence, people and enterprises are still not equipped with the right knowledge to combat these attacks. With reported losses from a growing number of incidents, basic cyber protection tools are no longer enough to handle sophisticated threats. What’s required are intelligent cybersecurity services, robust technological solutions, but more importantly, advanced cyber skills.    

An Industry Shift

Everyone from the government to small businesses talks about cybersecurity, yet, threats continue to escalate, and cyber breaches occur almost on a daily basis. To stay ahead in the game, a significant change in the way we look at cybersecurity solutions is required.

Enterprises may have the right cybersecurity solutions, but yet they fail, if they don’t have the right skills to implement these solutions or understand which solution works best in which situation. This kind of knowledge can only come from someone who has a deep understanding of what an enterprise’s adversary already knows. The industry, therefore, requires a revolutionary approach which embraces the problem-solving abilities of hackers and makes them a part of the solution.

Hackers form an invaluable asset to an organization as they enable and prepare their firms to better handle security breaches with a more effective incident response management. Additionally, knowing how an adversary function helps in better utilization of resources, a deeper understanding of the risks involved, and swift identification of the missing patches that have not been secured. 

Creating a Safer Cyberspace for Businesses

Incepted in 2016, Hacker House is a team of hackers that continuously seek and work towards innovating the information security industry. Embodying the hacker spirit, the firm provides offensive cyber security solutions to organizations to help them protect their critical infrastructure as well as organizational assets, without having to spend on expensive software or lose critical data upon intrusion. Hacker House focuses on empowering and enabling organizations to attain the necessary skills for thwarting any form of security breaches. The firm will equip organizations with extensive knowledge about what hackers learn about businesses and systems so that preventive measures can be taken.  

As a professional services company, Hacker House provides in-depth industry expertise and world-class skills to help organizations understand threat capabilities, as well as the impact of real-world attacks on their infrastructure and their business environment. With Hacker House, enterprises can proactively prevent breaches by identifying vulnerabilities in applications and technology before an adversary exploits it. “This isn’t about weak passwords, out-of-date software, another intrusion detection system, anti-virus, or firewall. Automate and introduce managed services all you want, but at the end of the day, we need more efficient and competent cyber skills,” says Jennifer Arcuri, the CEO, and Founder of Hacker House.

Arcuri has often noted the stigma associated with the word hacking. She explains, “Hacking is a word capable of sending shivers down spines, disapproving looks across rooms, and eyebrows into furrowed foreheads. While there is a great amount of truth to what the industry understands about hacking, there is more to it.” Hacking is a word that we need to revisit because, in an ethical context, it is capable of being a compelling solution that the cybersecurity industry desperately needs. The purpose of a hacking solution is to utilize the skill to help organizations, governments, and other personnel identify and patch their security limitations. Hacker House is renowned for assuring organizations of constant secured digital presence. “There is an increase in the number of interest from tech enthusiasts towards us. They want to learn the ethical side and the more purposive side of hacking, which is to solve real-world problems,” expresses Arcuri.

Ethical hackers are aware of their place in the society and are highly responsible and accountable for their actions online and offline. Hacker House is actively bringing about a paradigm shift in the way enterprises are fighting cyber criminals. “We can only build and execute a defensive strategy to fight cyber criminals by being offensive, and this entails bringing in those who ‘do what the bad guys do,’ but wear white hats while doing it,” explains Arcuri.

Hands on Hacking

Hacker House has developed a training course designed to give enterprises real-world simulations of what happens when their systems are compromised. Rather than focusing on extensive theory and content, many enterprises are now investing and searching for ethical hackers to conduct a variety of assessment activities and quickly train and cost-effectively scale their security teams.

The ‘Hands on Hacking’ training consists of different modules where participants are presented with a topic and are required to launch an attack after the completion of each lesson. The training can be taken either in a classroom setting or live online or via an on-demand portal, depending on what works best for the participants involved. Even after the training is completed, participants have access to all lab work including a virtual lab that has been set up for students to practice their skills and prepare better for potential attacks.

“We have people who are technocrats in the cybersecurity industry, and security enthusiasts. Instead of focusing on academic theoretical concepts, we are very much focused on hands-on practical skills that translate directly into the work environment. Being a team of professional hackers, we teach you the tactics needed to perform professional hacking,” claims Arcuri.

Hacker House teaches several core concepts used in many cybersecurity jobs from penetration testing to intelligence analysts. According to Arcuri, “More and more companies are turning to our Hands on Hacking course to deliver up to date content, with real-world threats, to train teams in a classroom, or remote from their laptops. Now you can hack the planet, wherever you are in the world!”

In addition to the adversary simulations and skills training, which remain Hacker House’s highlight, the firm also offers a range of professional services such as infrastructure security, hardware security, web application security, wireless security, malware analysis, as well as mobile security.

The Road Ahead

One of Hacker House’s core mission is to change the cyber security industry through bleeding-edge technology, innovative thinking, and flexible workforces. With an aim to revolutionize the types, ways, and delivery of security services, Hacker House proactively champions cyber skills and promotes ethics through Hackathons and different events. While the training courses are increasingly gaining popularity, Hacker House is determined not to rest on their laurels. 

Hacker House is also set to release their on-demand training later this summer including website live streaming for people who prefer classroom-type of hacking or for those who work remotely. The firm believes in empowering enterprises with the required skills and training to encourage security as an everyday utility in a digitally-connected world. Keeping this philosophy in mind, Arcuri concludes, “The need for security will never go away. This is another reason why cyber security can’t just be an ‘IT thing.’ Security positions are especially needed across the USA. It is time Hands on Hacking training becomes a core part of the buildup of those security teams.”