DoD Mandates Ethical Hacker Certification

According to InformationWeek, the Department of Defense is now requiring its computer network defenders to demonstrate baseline skills by passing the Certified Ethical Hacker certification program from the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants.

The certification tests knowledge of the mindset, tools, and techniques of a hacker. Jay Bavisi, co-founder and president of EC-Council, says the move is significant because it cements the practice of ethical hacking in mainstream IT practices. The tag line for program says it all: "To beat a hacker, you must think like one."

IT Business Edge's Sue Marquette Poremba notes that hacking skills have been part of her son's college courses in IT security.