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Ethical Computer Hacking

Pure hands-on hacking. Learn the same techniques real attackers use — legally and ethically. Penetration testing from reconnaissance through to writing the final report.

Free after redundancy in Wales with Welsh Government ReAct+ funding

Check if you qualify Download course info (PDF)
5 daysAbout 40 hours, 9am to 5pm
IntermediateLevel
Maesteg or onlineLlynfi Enterprise Centre or live online
£0With ReAct+ funding

What you'll learn on the Ethical Hacking course.

Ethical hackers are the people organisations pay to break into their own systems — to find the vulnerabilities before criminals do. It's one of the most exciting and well-paid career paths in tech.

This five-day course is pure practical. Kali Linux, real vulnerability scanners, real exploits against practice targets. By Friday you'll have conducted a full penetration test and written a professional report.

You need basic IT confidence — understanding of networking, operating systems, and the command line is helpful but not essential. Curiosity and persistence matter more.

40hIntensive training
5Hands-on labs
3Portfolio deliverables
1:6Tutor ratio max

Five days, one step at a time.

Mornings are taught sessions. Afternoons are hands-on labs where you build something real.

  1. Day 1

    Hacking Methodology & Setup

    The ethical framework, legal boundaries, and the Kali Linux toolkit that forms the basis of every penetration test.

    • Ethical hacking vs criminal hacking
    • Legal frameworks & authorisation
    • Penetration testing methodology
    • Kali Linux setup & tools
    • Virtual lab environment
    • Scope & rules of engagement

    LabSet up your Kali Linux environment and practice lab

  2. Day 2

    Reconnaissance & Scanning

    Before you hack, you gather intelligence. OSINT, port scanning, service enumeration — the art of finding targets.

    • OSINT (open-source intelligence)
    • DNS enumeration
    • Nmap port scanning
    • Service version detection
    • Vulnerability scanning (OpenVAS)
    • Mapping the attack surface

    LabConduct full reconnaissance and vulnerability scan of a target

  3. Day 3

    Vulnerability Exploitation

    The core of ethical hacking. Exploit real vulnerabilities in practice systems — safely, legally, and methodically.

    • Exploitation frameworks (Metasploit)
    • Common vulnerability types
    • Buffer overflows (conceptual)
    • Privilege escalation
    • Lateral movement
    • Post-exploitation basics

    LabExploit multiple vulnerabilities in a practice environment

  4. Day 4

    Web Application Security

    Most attacks target web applications. SQL injection, XSS, authentication flaws — the OWASP Top 10 in practice.

    • OWASP Top 10 overview
    • SQL injection
    • Cross-site scripting (XSS)
    • Authentication & session attacks
    • Burp Suite introduction
    • Secure coding principles

    LabFind and exploit vulnerabilities in a practice web application

  5. Day 5

    Reporting & Remediation

    The hack is only half the job. Professional penetration testers live or die by the quality of their reports.

    • Report structure & standards
    • Risk rating methodologies
    • Evidence documentation
    • Remediation recommendations
    • Executive summary writing
    • Client presentation skills

    CapstoneWrite and present a full penetration test report

Learner running a penetration test on the free Ethical Hacking course in Wales

Three real projects for your CV.

You leave with work you can show an employer, not just a certificate.

  • Full Penetration Test Report

    A professional-grade pentest report covering methodology, findings, risk ratings and remediation — your interview portfolio piece.

  • Practical Hacking Portfolio

    Documented evidence of reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation and web app testing across multiple targets.

  • Live Security Audit

    A complete security audit of a practice system — demonstrating end-to-end penetration testing capability.

Is this course right for you?

Best for: IT staff, security curious, career changers.

This is for you if…

  • You're fascinated by how hacking actually works
  • Career changers wanting to enter penetration testing
  • IT support staff wanting to specialise in security
  • You completed our Cyber Security bootcamp and want more
  • You enjoy problem-solving and puzzle-like challenges

It's probably not for you if…

  • You have zero IT experience (start with our Cyber Security bootcamp)
  • You want defensive-only security without offensive skills
  • You're looking for management-level governance (try our AI + Cyber course)
  • You want to hack for malicious purposes — this is strictly ethical

Your next chapter starts a week on Monday.

Five days is all it takes. Check you qualify, then reserve your place on the next Ethical Hacking course.

Reserve my place Check if you qualify