Scottish university to teach ‘ethical’ computer hacking

By Mark O’Neill
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

Is there such a thing as ‘ethical computer hacking’?   Abertay University in Scotland seems to think so because they are now offering a course to postgraduate students in the subject.

They are already teaching undergraduates a course in ‘Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures’.   But now they are going further with a course to the postgraduates – but only if they pass the strict vetting procedures to make sure that they are doing the course for the right reasons.   The university doesn’t want any potential criminals learning the secrets in order to turn rogue.

“In the industry we refer to people with white hats and black hats, which comes from the old Westerns,” he said. “But realistically we’re very careful about the people we take onto the program.

“We have a strong vetting procedure – in the UK we use things like Disclosure Scotland to ensure that people that we’re taking on aren’t coming from a criminal background. “We’re very careful to make sure that the people who are coming through are doing it for the right reasons.”

Instead they think that people who do the course for the right reasons could be doing jobs in the industry for a minimum 55,000 pounds ($100,000).

Students offered degree in ‘ethical’ computer hacking – Daily Telegraph
“Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures” course details – Abertay University