What Is Ethical Hacking?

Key takeaways

Ethical hacking refers to the authorized use of hacking techniques to help organizations spot potential vulnerabilities. 

• Cybercrime’s costs are on the rise, with costs anticipated to top $15 trillion by 2030, and the average breach costing $4.4 million [1, 2]

• Ethical hackers use the same techniques that cybercriminals use to help companies strengthen their cybersecurity defenses, strategies, and protocols. 

• You can enter the field of ethical hacking through several learning paths, including earning respected certifications such as the Certified Ethical Hacker or CompTIA Security+ credentials. 

Learn more about some key points to consider if you’re thinking of going into ethical hacking. Then, consider learning and earning credentials to help you begin a career in the field by enrolling in IBM's Ethical Hacking with Open Source Tools Professional Certificate program. In approximately two months, you could learn the fundamentals of penetration testing, reporting, and how to execute simulated attacks using the Metasploit framework.

What is ethical hacking in cybersecurity?

Ethical hacking is the practice of performing security assessments using the same techniques that hackers use, but with proper approvals and authorization from the organization you're hacking into. The goal is to use cybercriminals’ tactics, techniques, and strategies to locate potential weaknesses and reinforce an organization’s protection from data and security breaches. 

Ethical hacking vs. hacking: What’s the difference?

Hackers, who are often referred to as black-hat hackers, are those known for illegally breaking into a victim’s networks. Their motives are to disrupt systems, destroy or steal data and sensitive information, and engage in malicious activities or mischief. 

Black-hat hackers usually have advanced knowledge for navigating around security protocols, breaking into computer networks, and writing the malware that infiltrates systems.

Ethical hackers, commonly called white-hat hackers, use many of the same skills and knowledge as black-hat hackers, but with the approval of the company that hires them. These information security professionals are hired specifically to help find and secure vulnerabilities that may be susceptible to a cyberattack. Ethical hackers will regularly engage in assessing systems and networks and reporting those findings.

Here are some of the differences:

Types of hackers 

Black-hat hackers are always the outlaws, the hackers with malicious intentions. But over time, ethical hackers have shifted into a variety of roles other than white-hat hackers. 

Some of the roles include red teams that work in an offensive capacity, blue teams that work as a defense for security services, and purple teams that do a little of both:

• Red teams may pose as a cyberattacker to assess a network or system's risk and vulnerabilities in a controlled environment. They examine potential weaknesses in security infrastructure and also physical locations, and people.

• Blue teams are aware of the business objectives and security strategy of the organization they work for. They gather data, document the areas that need protection, conduct risk assessments, and strengthen the defenses to prevent breaches. These ethical hackers may introduce stronger password policies, limit access to the system, put monitoring tools in place, and educate other staff members so that everyone's on the same page.

• Purple teams bring red and blue teams together and encourage them to work together to create a strong loop of feedback and reach the goal of increasing the organization's security overall.

Read more: How Has Generative AI Affected Security?

Benefits of ethical hacking

New viruses, malware, ransomware, and worms emerge all the time, underscoring the need for ethical hackers to help safeguard the networks belonging to government agencies, defense departments, and businesses. The global cost of cybercrime could exceed $15 trillion by 2030 [1]. Global research reveals that data breaches cost an average of $4.4 million each [2]. The present threat of cybercrime, combined with the shortage of experienced information security professionals, has created a crisis for businesses, organizations, and governmental entities. However, the need to combat cybercrime also presents a unique opportunity for a career path. 

The main benefit of ethical hacking is reducing the risk of data theft. Additional benefits include:

• Using an attacker’s point of view to discover weak points to fix

• Conducting real-world assessments to protect networks

• Safeguarding the security of investors' and customers' data and earning their trust

• Implementing security measures that strengthen networks and actively prevent breaches

What is an ethical hacker job? Career opportunities in ethical hacking

As an ethical hacker, you might work as a full-time employee or as a consultant. You could find a job in nearly any type of organization, including public, private, and government institutions. You could work in financial institutions like banks or payment processors. Other potential job areas include e-commerce marketplaces, data centers, cloud computing companies, entertainment companies, media providers, and SaaS companies. Some common job titles you'll find within the ethical hacking realm include:

• Penetration tester

• Information security analyst

• Security analyst

• Vulnerability assessor

• Security consultant

• Information security manager

• Security engineer

• Certified ethical hacker

Job outlook and salary

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates that jobs like information security analysts may grow by 29 percent between 2024 and 2034, an average rate significantly higher than all other careers [3]. As an ethical hacker, you have a variety of job opportunities available to you, from entry-level to management.

Not only is there a strong demand for ethical hackers, but this career path has strong earning potential. The total median salary, which includes base salary and bonuses, profit sharing, and other forms of additional compensation, for ethical hackers in the US is $171,000, according to Glassdoor [4]. However, the salary differs depending on where you live, the company you work for, your level of experience, and the certifications you hold can all impact your potential salary.

Educational requirements for ethical hacking

There’s no single degree you need to become an ethical hacker, but having a strong background of experience and expertise is a must. Many ethical hackers earn a bachelor’s degree at a minimum.

Hiring managers want to see that you're proficient in a variety of operating systems, firewalls, and file systems. You'll need strong coding skills and a solid foundation in computer science. 

Along with strong technical skills, good ethics and analytical thinking are key skills to cultivate. 

Common fields of study for a bachelor's degree include:

• Computer science

• Network engineering

• Information security

Should I get a master’s degree?

When you work in , having a master's isn't always required, but many employers prefer the added specialization. Earning your master’s degree can help give you a stronger competitive edge in the job market and allow you to deepen your knowledge and gain hands-on experience.

Alternatives to getting a degree

If you already have a degree but want to pivot to gain additional skills in ethical hacking, then attending an ethical hacking or cybersecurity boot camp could be an alternative to getting a degree. Many boot camps have ties to big tech organizations, giving you increased networking opportunities and chances to make lasting professional connections.

Another option is to earn a certification. One of the core certifications to consider is the Certified Ethical Hacker credential issued by the EC-Council. Other popular certifications include:

• CompTIA Security+: Covers a broad range of knowledge about troubleshooting and problem-solving a variety of issues, including networking, mobile devices, and security.

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Offered by ISC2, and demonstrates your proficiency in designing, implementing, and managing cybersecurity programs.

• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): Offered by ISACA and designed to prove your expertise in risk management, information security governance, incident management, and program development and management.

• GIAC certifications: Available in focus areas like cyber defense, cloud security, offensive operations, and digital forensics and incident response.

Explore our free cybersecurity and career resources

Keep up with industry trends and emerging technologies, along with updates on popular skills, careers, and certifications, with a subscription to Career Chat. Also, consider checking out additional resources for career guidance.

• Watch on YouTube: No Degree? How to Start a Career in Cybersecurity

• Find your path: Cybersecurity Career Paths: Explore Roles & Specializations

• Bookmark for later: Cybersecurity Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions

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