Hack the Box - cybersecurity training via ethical hacking

by Startacus Admin

The lowdown on Hack the Box, an innovative online cyber security training platform, enabling both individuals and organisations to level up their ethical hacking skills

Cybersecurity. To most people, it’s a big, mysterious, almost futuristic concept. One of those things that is too big, in-depth, and unknowable for the average person to have any hope, or even need, of understanding. 

We change our passwords every now and then to our cat’s name instead of our dog’s; we install free antivirus software and assume it will keep us safe from everything, carefully avoiding thinking too much about it; some people even go down the solve-all route of using a VPN to keep themselves hidden and safe from everything, because that’s definitely how that works. In reality, cybersecurity isn’t something so far out of the reach of ordinary people’s grasp - as with most things, we don’t have to become experts, but with the world becoming more online, having a better understanding of it would be a pretty good idea.

Greece-based cybersecurity startup Hack the Box is going about educating people in this area in a unique way: by teaching them to hack. Kind of. 

Their goal has always been to make cybersecurity training available to everyone, and in doing so, they have created one of, if not the largest community of ethical hackers in the world, with over half a million of varying backgrounds and experience. 

They provide their training through simplifying and gamifying the process of hacking, and having the ‘players’ attack virtual targets and learn what kinds of vulnerabilities exist in cyberspace and how hackers can exploit them to gain access, steal data, etc. The point is to make the learning fun so that even those with no experience in any kind of IT can learn something without being bored to tears and confused. There are points, leaderboards, team battles, ranks, badges, a Hall of Fame, and more to keep the experience fun while teaching valuable security knowledge.

By understanding what it is you are defending against, you instantly become more prepared and more aware of what your security is lacking, where it is weakest, and what needs to be changed. Hack the Box is always adding new content and keeping up to date with the newest exploits and vulnerabilities, so the training and ‘gaming’ is ongoing.

In April, Hack the Box announced that they had raised $10.6 million in a Series A round led by Paladin Capital Group, with Osage University Partners, Brighteye Ventures, and Marathon Venture Capital. This will allow the startup to gain more ground in the US market and to expand its portfolio.

We think an expert learning platform like this is hugely valuable to individuals and businesses of all sizes, just so long as there isn’t an Ender’s Game style “it was real all along” twist and now we’ve all hacked the Pentagon.

 

Subscribe to our newsletter

If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.

• #cybersecurity
• #training
• #hacking
• #ethical
• #innovation

Published on: 4th May 2021