Tech Shout!

The University of Abertay, Dundee is becoming the pioneering institute to conduct a training for the next generation of computer security experts by introducing Britain’s very first course in “ethical” computer hacking. The university will run the BSc (Hons) undergraduate course in Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures from the start of the next academic year in October.

However not anyone who walks into the university would be allowed to take the Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures course. Applicants will have to go through Home Office and Foreign Office security clearance to take the course, so that the University doesn’t produce hackers with nasty intentions.

According to a report by The Times, hacking accounts for £10 billion in damage to British firms alone, and poses a global terrorist threat.

The university prospectus read, “In the same way that police detectives need to know how thieves can steal, computer systems administrators need to know what hackers can do.” In short the course operates on the premise that it takes a thief to catch a thief.

Colin McLean, the tutor of the course, reportedly spent 30 minutes hacking in to the University’s computer system to obtain faculty and staff passwords, thereby demonstrating the need for the course.

A university spokesman said, “There are an increasing number of compliance regulations and insurance policies that insist businesses carry out security checks on their networks.”

The university also stressed it will be vetting students “very carefully” in accordance with Home Office guidelines and that they will be monitored closely throughout the course.

The spokesman added, “We are not going to give them the full set of tools on day one.”

It is hoped that the course will be recognised by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Institute of Information Security Professionals.

Graduates of the course will likely have no problems finding employment at any number of internet security firms whose business it is to try to hack into security software and systems to expose vulnerabilities.