FBI seeks tech gurus for 'hacking' positions

To battle hackers, you have to think like one.

The FBI said Monday it's seeking technology experts — including those with experience in "ethical hacking" — to become "cyber special agents."

"Cyber permeates every aspect of what we do, whether it's counterterrorism, criminal investigations or traditional cyberattacks, as we've seen in the recent past," the FBI said.

North Korea, for example, is at the center of a confrontation with the United States over the hacking of Sony Pictures. The hacking is believed to be tied to Sony's movie "The Interview."

"The FBI seeks highly talented, technically trained individuals who are motivated by the FBI's mission to protect our nation and the American people from the rapidly evolving cyber threat," said Robert Anderson Jr., executive assistant director for the bureau's criminal, cyber, response and services branch.

In its job post, which is open until Jan. 20, the agency said it has "many vacancies" for cyber special agents.

Such agents, the FBI said, should have the skills to "conduct multifaceted investigations of high-tech crimes, including cyber-based terrorism, computer intrusions, online exploitation and major cyber fraud schemes."

The EC-Council, which provides certification in information security and e-business fields, offers, for example, a "Certified Ethical Hacker" course as a way to get professionals to think like a hacker.

"To master the hacking technologies, you will need to become one," EC-Council says on its website. Students in the council's training will "scan, test, hack and secure their own systems."

Some companies hire ethical hackers to try and bypass their own computer security systems. They aim to locate weak points that could be exploited by malicious hackers.