Introduction to Ethical Hacking: A 3-Day Workshop

The Department of Computer Science & Engineering - Cyber Security hosted a three-day workshop on "Basics of Ethical Hacking" from 16th to 18th July 2025. The sessions were conducted daily from 10:00 AM to 4:15 PM, led by Mr. Kshitij Barapatre, a Senior Consultant at KPMG. The workshop was specifically designed for third-year students, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of ethical hacking concepts and techniques.

Throughout the workshop, students learned the basics of how hackers think and how to defend against cyberattacks. The hands-on sessions covered network and web vulnerabilities, including topics like network protocols, port scanning, ARP scanning, and using tools like Nmap, Metasploit, and Burp Suite. Participants also explored common web application vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, command injection, and file upload weaknesses. In addition, they learned basic malware creation and Windows exploitation techniques.

Key takeaways from the workshop included practical experience with cybersecurity tools and environments, the ability to identify and exploit basic vulnerabilities, and a clear understanding of the ethical hacker’s role in securing systems. The workshop emphasized real-world scenarios and gave students the opportunity to practice both attacking and defending systems in a controlled, safe setting.

The workshop successfully introduced students to the world of ethical hacking, helping them build a foundational skill set for future careers in cybersecurity. Special thanks to Mr. Kshitij Barapatre for delivering an engaging and informative session.