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Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for ways to break into business and personal computer systems. These 鈥渂lack hat鈥� hackers聽exploit聽vulnerabilities to steal sensitive data, commit identity fraud, hold information for ransom, empty financial accounts, and much more. As cyberattacks happen more聽frequently聽and with greater sophistication, organizations of all sizes need strong defenses. A key pillar of cyber defense involves cybersecurity professionals who can think and act like attackers鈥攊n other words, ethical hackers.

Ethical hackers鈥攕ometimes called 鈥渨hite hat鈥� hackers鈥攗se many of the same tools and hacking techniques as cybercriminals, but they do so legally and with permission to support organizations in聽identifying聽vulnerabilities聽and resolving flaws and weaknesses before they can be exploited. In a world where the global cybersecurity workforce faces some significant talent shortages, ethical hackers are essential for the work they do to keep organizations well ahead of evolving cyber threats.

Keep reading to learn more about cybersecurity, the role that ethical hacking plays in cybersecurity, and how you can begin a career in this exciting and vital field.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity聽comprises聽the infrastructure, systems, and resources designed to protect individuals and organizations from digital attacks. Professionals versed in cybersecurity are trained to prepare against鈥攁nd respond to鈥攖hreats via dedicated tools and software. Some cybersecurity specialists focus on risk management and incident response,听while others analyze specific vulnerabilities and work to shore them up. Many engineers design and build entire security systems aimed at defending an organization鈥檚 data, networks, and other digital assets.

While there are many professional roles in cybersecurity, the聽objective聽remains singular: to safeguard valuable data and promote online safety. Without effective cybersecurity measures, electronic and digital systems would be at constant risk of damage or disruption.聽That鈥檚聽partly why聽an聽education in cybersecurity聽has become an important part of many institutions鈥� information technology programs.

What Is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking is the authorized process of probing systems, applications, and networks to uncover security vulnerabilities that could be used in a聽cyberattack. Ethical hackers are security professionals trained to think like malicious hackers, using professional tools and frameworks to test and prod defenses. They then document vulnerabilities and recommend practical fixes.

If an ethical hacker can find a way into a system or network, chances are a determined cybercriminal could, too. By allowing ethical hackers to test their defenses, organizations gain insight into real-world risks and can prioritize security聽system聽improvements that matter most. Ethical hacking聽is聽crucial for all kinds of industries but聽is聽particularly valuable in government agencies and the military, where keeping data guarded is often a matter of national security.

Types of Hackers: White Hat, Black Hat, and Gray Hat

Not everyone who hacks is a criminal. In cybersecurity, the term 鈥渉acker鈥� is typically used to describe somebody who explores systems in creative or subversive ways. But intent and permission matter. Most hackers are grouped into the following three primary categories.

White Hat Hackers

White hat hackers use their skills legally and ethically. They work for organizations聽or as聽vetted consultants, and they always have explicit permission to test systems. Their goal is to help improve security, not to exploit it. Ethical hackers often perform:

• Penetration testing
• Red team exercises that simulate real-world attacks
• Security assessments of networks, applications, and cloud environments

Black Hat Hackers

Black hat hackers break into systems without permission. They may steal data, deploy ransomware, sell access on the dark web, or disrupt services for financial gain, activism, or notoriety. Their tactics evolve constantly as technology advances, making them a persistent threat to individuals, businesses, and organizations around the world.

Gray Hat Hackers

Gray hat hackers fall in the middle. They may look for vulnerabilities without permission and then report them, often requesting a fee to fix the issue. While their actions may not always be openly malicious, they still聽operate聽outside legal and ethical boundaries because they do not receive prior authorization. Some forms of hacktivism and unsolicited security testing fall into this category.

What Do Ethical Hackers Do?

Ethical hackers engage in hands-on testing to strengthen defenses聽and protect systems. Common day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Probing web and mobile applications for vulnerabilities
• Testing cloud and on-site networks for errors
• Assessing wireless networks and remote access solutions
• Researching user susceptibility to social engineering
• Reporting results to technical and nontechnical stakeholders

Ethical hackers often work more specifically as penetration testers, red team members in security operations, cybersecurity consultants, and bug bounty hunters. Bug bounties are rewards that ethical hackers may earn from organizations for聽identifying聽and reporting software vulnerabilities before cybercriminals can exploit them.

Where Do Ethical Hackers Work?

Ethical hackers tend to be in demand across multiple sectors, including:

• Government agencies and defense organizations
• Financial institutions
• Healthcare centers
• Technology and software companies
• Cybersecurity consulting firms
• Cloud providers and Software as a Service (SaaS) companies

As cyber threats continue to increase in frequency and complexity鈥攁nd as the cybersecurity skills gap聽remains聽significant鈥攔oles related to ethical hacking and penetration testing are projected to grow steadily. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,听聽is forecasted to grow by a considerable 29% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.