Ethical Hacking Certificate

Learn to identify vulnerabilities before they’re exposed

The most effective way to keep cyber systems secure is to learn how to think like those who want to harm them. And that’s exactly what ethical hackers do.

Using the same techniques as malicious hackers, these skilled professionals proactively expose vulnerabilities within their own organizations’ infrastructure and help prevent cybercrimes such as data theft and fraud.

The University of North Dakota’s online Ethical Hacking certificate can prepare you for a career in this exciting field. Our innovative curriculum is designed to equip you with the most current tools and methodologies to stay one step ahead of black hat hackers.

By completing this nine-credit certificate program, you can:

Broaden your understanding of hacking techniques and how they can be implemented within a legal and ethical framework.
Learn about and gain hands-on experience executing each of the five distinct phases of an ethical hack.
Enhance your knowledge of software engineering principles used in the development lifecycle of cyber secure systems.
Prepare to sit for the EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification exam.
Apply the credits you earn from this certificate toward our online Master of Science in Cyber Security program — that’s 25% of the credits you’ll need for the full master’s.

Expected completion time: This certificate program consists of three 14-week courses, which can be finished in as little as one year, including breaks between terms.

Course descriptions

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CSCI 487	Penetration Testing	3 Credits
Provides theoretical and practical aspects of Network Penetration Testing. The course includes in-depth details and hands on labs for each of the five distinct phases of an ethical hack including reconnaissance, scanning and vulnerability assessment, gaining access and exploitation, maintaining access, and covering tracks. An applied approach with a focus on current tools and methodologies will be stressed.

CSCI 567	Secure Software Engineering	3 Credits
This course covers software engineering principles and techniques used in the development lifecycle of cyber secure systems. Topics covered include the characteristics of secure software, the role of security in the development lifecycle, designing secure software, and best-practices in secure programming and testing. Study includes review of industrial standards for secure software system engineering. Prerequisites: EE 601 and EE 602.

CSCI 587	Ethical Hacking	3 Credits
Introduction to hacking techniques with an ethical framework. Topics include planning and scoping of penetration tests, rules of engagement, reconnaissance, port scanning, OS finger printing and version scanning, vulnerability scans, exploitation, post-exploitation strategies and pivoting, and password attacks. Legal and ethical frameworks will be introduced and guidance on appropriate application of hacking techniques will be emphasized.

Are you considering a career change to cyber security?

The University of North Dakota welcomes students from all backgrounds into our graduate certificate program.

Depending on your prior educational and professional experience, you may be required to take up to two foundation courses: Analytical Foundations of Cyber Security and/or Computing Foundations of Cyber Security. Speaking to an enrollment advisor can help you determine whether you meet these prerequisites.