Ethical hackers are cyber security experts who identify risks and vulnerabilities within system configurations.
In recent years, cyber criminals have sought out new and increasing opportunities to target information, data and systems. As cyber security hacking evolves, organisations must keep up to date with the latest threats, understand where they’re at risk and put provisions in place to defend their businesses, making penetration testing a crucial part of any security team’s capabilities.
Ethical hackers are cyber security experts who identify risks and vulnerabilities within system configurations. This is done by employing similar techniques to criminals, but in a highly regulated environment and within strict legal guidelines. The overall purpose of employing an ethical hacker is to improve the resilience of an organisation’s defence against cyber crime.
Ethical hackers are professionals who use their expertise to perform proactive security assessments. Organizations are increasingly facing the risk of data breaches, where unauthorised third parties gain access to sensitive company information. The assailants in these instances are known as hackers and carrying out such actions is illegal.
Conducting an ethical hack involves copying the same strategies of malicious attackers. Ethical hackers are given wide latitude by hiring companies in terms of what they’re allowed to do, but instead of exploiting vulnerabilities, they use their expertise to document weaknesses and areas for improvement, also known as threat intelligence.
Ethical hacking means wearing the white hat and contributing to cyber security frameworks in a proactive manner before a black hat hacker has the chance to exploit vulnerabilities. These frameworks are a set of documents made up of guidelines, standards and best practices that are used to inform cyber security risk management.
An ethical hacker helps an organisation to bolster its defences against malicious threats and third-party attackers attempting to penetrate systems or steal information. There are numerous ways in which they achieve this, but they can be broken down into three simple areas.
After ethical hackers have completed their technical work and the hacking has concluded, they report back to senior leaders about areas of vulnerability. This can range from whole systems being exposed whilst running outdated software to insufficient password encryption. Businesses use the data from ethical hacking reports to inform decisions on how to improve cyber security in the future.
Vulnerability assessments prioritise remediation efforts, outlining which measures should be taken to protect networks, applications and systems, and in what order. These assessments are most effective when carried out regularly, on a monthly or quarterly basis.
The main difference between ethical and illegal hacking is that businesses are employing the former to expose weaknesses, while the latter are acting against the law and with malicious intent. As such, a skilled ethical hacker will employ most of the same tactics as any unauthorised third party. This means organisations can see exactly how attackers could try to enter their systems, leading to a clearer understanding of how to prevent it from happening.
A certified ethical hacker (CEH) must therefore be aware of the most recent trends and techniques to keep ahead of emerging security risks. This makes an ethical hacker job particularly interesting, as there’s always more to learn.
Even though cyber attacks can ruin a business, most organisations are still unprepared for them. Ethical hackers know exactly how threat actors think and operate, as well as how attackers will constantly seek out newer, more advanced techniques to gain access to confidential information. Consequently, when organisations work with ethical hackers, they gain a level of insight into cyber attacks that non-experts simply wouldn’t consider.
Security professionals can use hacking software to help carry out their ethical hacking services and routinely assess the situation. This will ensure the company’s security posture is prepared for any attacks that are made against its computer system, networks or web applications.
The term hacking evokes ideas of illegal activity, but white hats have no malicious intent. Ethical hackers are employed by organisations with the express purpose of revealing security vulnerabilities before any black hat hacking can take place. The only way to effectively carry out security testing is to use the same techniques as those looking to breach defences for their own criminal gains.
Penetration testers then provide remedial advice to help organisations improve their security posture in light of the vulnerabilities they have discovered. There’s often a retest after new system and network security measures have been put in place to ensure the infrastructure is impenetrable.
Unlike many other career paths, there isn’t a standard route in education for ethical hackers. Generally, companies set bespoke requirements for positions depending on the specific needs, threats or vulnerabilities they might be looking to work on.
Any professional hoping to pursue a role in ethical hacking should consider achieving a degree in computer science – or a related field – to both increase their appeal on paper and develop some of the core foundational skills required to succeed in the position.
For individuals without university experience, a viable way to enter the field is by pursuing a career in the military. This is an especially compelling option for those who hold the ability to gain certain security clearances and many businesses consider a military background to be extremely beneficial for candidates.
As ethical hacking becomes more mainstream, there are now a number of certifications that prove a penetration tester’s credentials in the field. Among the most relevant ethical hacking courses are:
Passing one of these industry certifications for ethical hackers will validate how much a professional knows about specific areas of the field. For example, a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification shows that a professional has a mastery of network security and attack technologies. Conversely, a certification such as the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) demonstrates proficiency in using behavioural analytics to solidify network security.
Demand for ethical hackers remains strong and will only continue to grow in the digital age. Most organisations now rely on technology and store a lot of data, making them potential targets for a cyber attack, but specific industries can be particularly susceptible.
Ethical hacking is a field that demands a significant amount of technical knowledge, but it’s certainly a highly rewarding career path. Since the pandemic and subsequent shift from traditional to digital working patterns, companies are at a higher risk of cyber attacks than ever. As such, the need for ethical hackers is rapidly expanding and the market favours jobseekers over recruiters.
When looking for an ethical hacker role, it’s worth widening your search to include a number of other related terms, as some firms may advertise positions with different job titles. These include:
Like any career, the salary of an ethical hacker is contingent on the organisation they work for, the location and the experience they have in their career. Starting in the field, an expert could earn between £30,000 and £40,000.
However, the median salary for ethical hackers in the UK is in the region of £60,000 and the most experienced professionals in the industry take home upwards of £75,000 per year. Large firms like Deloitte and Expedia advertise senior ethical hacker roles with annual salaries above £100,000.
There’s also the potential to earn more when performance-based bonuses are taken into account. With the average cost of a cyber attack now coming in at $4.88 million (£3.59 million) and reputational damage also at stake, businesses are prepared to pay large salaries to prevent them from happening.
The best way to find ethical hacker jobs is by making use of a specialised online job board and sign up for job alerts. Hiring companies use these sites to find promising candidates, so registering with them can be highly beneficial to your job search. Just uploading your CV to CyberSecurityJobsite.co.uk will start the process, allowing recruiters to reach out to you directly if your experience and qualifications are desirable to them.
It’s also worth checking out one of our Cyber Security EXPOs to meet established professionals and highly reputable companies within the industry. These events are a great opportunity to gain inside information on what organisations are looking for, as well as what you can expect from these positions.
Networking with other ethical hackers and penetration testers is an effective way to get yourself known within the industry. This can be done face-to-face and online, but a multifaceted approach is most likely to get you results.
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