HESSA AL SHAMSI (ABU DHABI)
At the intersection of tech prowess and a desire to produce positive change, a young Emirati woman has taken up the challenging field of “ethical hacking”, utilising her hard-won computer and IT skills to help institutions protect themselves from bad actors.
In a conversation with Aletihad, Sara Al Badi defined the complex field, noting that ethical hacking involves the licensed practice of bypassing systems’ security protocols to identify data breaches, potential threats, and vulnerabilities in the network.
In the scope of her career, Al Badi also conducts a manner of ethical hacking known as penetration testing, which involves simulating an attack on an environment in order to report vulnerabilities to the entity which requested the service, in order for all weaknesses to be addressed.
It is important to note, Al Badi said, that the “ethical” piece of ethical hacking stems from the fact that legal contracts and transparency are central to the process, with clients setting the scope of the service.
Now eight years into her journey, Al Badi took Aletihad back to the start of her challenging career, which she said began with a passionate interest in information systems.
After completing her bachelor’s degree in Computing and Information Sciences at the Higher Colleges of Technology, Al Badi became interested in expanding her baseline knowledge of the uses of technology to protect data.
She began educating herself in ethical hacking, a path she says is typical for those in the field, which rarely finds a place on university or institutional curriculums.
To build her skills, Al Badi participated in one online ethical hacking competition after another, which she said gave her “extensive technical experience”.
Her first role in the field was that of a security consultant, where she was contracted to perform vulnerability assessments and penetration testing for a wide range of entities.
Al Badi now works as a Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing Manager at a prestigious company in Abu Dhabi, and credits the fulfilment of her dream to her drive and determination, which she says helped her think outside the box.
“Despair has no place in the lives of people who do not have the determination to create their own future,” she said.
Al Badi now holds many certificates in the field, including the CWPT, CC, and CNSS and is preparing to obtain the CISSP certification, one of the highest accreditations in the field. Al Badi has also won first place several times in competitions with open international attendance.
Given her professional success, Al Badi is now also a public speaker at several international conferences, including GISEC and Microsoft events held in the Middle East, where she shares her journey as an Emirati girl working in ethical hacking alongside elite figures from around the world.
Offering her advice for anyone interested in entering the field, Al Badi says that a key to ethical hacking is remembering that the field requires responsibility and adherence to professional laws and ethics.
Continuous learning and practical practice are the key to success in this field, she said.
Al Badi also advises parents to encourage their children to learn cybersecurity because of the constant developments in the field and the positive benefits it can have on the national level.
She also noted that this field specifically needs people with a desire and a passion for continuous learning, as it is necessary to continue studying and constantly update one’s skills. After facing a few difficulties and challenges regarding new updates of vulnerabilities and technological developments, Al Badi saw the necessity of educating herself beyond the limits of applications, she told Aletihad.
Successful ethical hackers are also keen to participate in conferences and workshops to communicate with specialists in the field and exchange experiences, she said.
“I faced many challenges until I reached where I am now. Science is advancing every second, and we must be careful to follow and keep pace with the changes. No one can be satisfied with only studying, especially in this field,” she added.