Ethical Hacking Jobs & Certified Ethical Hacker Career Guide

Latest Ethical Hacking Jobs & Certified Ethical Hacker Career Guide Listings

What is an Ethical Hacker?

An ethical hacker, sometimes referred to as a “white hat” hacker, is a cybersecurity professional who uses the same methods and techniques as malicious hackers (often referred to as “black hat” hackers) but with permission and the intent to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in systems. The goal is to discover these vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them and then help to rectify them. Ethical hackers aim to strengthen security and protect systems, rather than exploit them.

Ethical hackers always operate with explicit permission from the organization that owns the system. This is what distinguishes them from malicious hackers. Unauthorized hacking, even with good intentions, is illegal.

Ethical hackers typically work within predefined boundaries. An organization will set a “scope” for the hacking attempt, which may include certain systems that can be tested, the methods that can be used, and the times at which testing can occur.

After testing, ethical hackers provide a report detailing the vulnerabilities they found, data they accessed, and often provide recommendations on how to secure the system.

What Does an Ethical Hacker Do?

1. Vulnerability Assessments: Using tools and techniques to identify vulnerabilities in software, hardware, and networks.
2. Penetration Testing: Simulating cyberattacks to test the security of systems and understand potential breach points.
3. Security Audits: Conducting thorough reviews of computer systems, networks, and applications to ensure compliance with security standards.
4. Reporting: Documenting vulnerabilities, attack vectors, and providing recommendations for remediation.
5. Security Awareness: Training staff and providing knowledge on the latest threats and attack techniques to help prevent social engineering and other human-focused attacks.
6. Research: Keeping up-to-date with the latest cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and tools to ensure cutting-edge testing capabilities.
7. Collaboration: Working closely with IT and development teams to ensure vulnerabilities are addressed and security best practices are implemented.
8. Bug Bounty Programs: Participating in or managing bug bounty programs where they or others are rewarded for finding vulnerabilities.
9. Incident Response: Assisting in handling and investigating security breaches, providing expertise in understanding the attack and helping to mitigate the damage.

Here is what a typical day might look like as an ethical hacker employed in a larger organization:

• 8:00 am – 9:00 am: Morning routine, checking emails, reviewing any alerts or communications from clients. Catch up on the latest cybersecurity news and vulnerabilities.
• 9:00 am – 10:00 am: Team meeting to discuss the day’s objectives, any ongoing penetration tests, and allocate tasks.
• 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Conduct a penetration test on a client’s web application. This could involve looking for vulnerabilities, exploiting them, and documenting findings.
• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch and a bit of downtime. Ethical hackers often take breaks to ensure they’re always sharp, as the work requires great attention to detail.
• 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Review and analyze logs from a recent security incident for another client. Try to understand the attack vector and provide insights.
• 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm: Engage in a security awareness session with a client’s team, discussing the importance of strong passwords, the dangers of phishing, etc.
• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Research time – diving into new hacking tools, studying recent vulnerabilities, or taking a course to improve skills.
• 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Document findings from the morning’s penetration test, preparing a draft report to send to the client with preliminary findings and recommendations.
• 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Conclude any remaining tasks, respond to emails, set up tasks for the next day, and wind down.

Where Do Ethical Hackers Work?

As cybersecurity threats grow and evolve, the demand for ethical hackers spans nearly every sector. Any organization with a digital footprint—a website, a mobile app, a database, or networked devices—has potential vulnerabilities that an ethical hacker can help address.

Here are some specific examples of organizations that frequently employ ethical hackers:

1. Private Sector Companies:
   • Tech Companies: Many major tech companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook employ ethical hackers to ensure the security of their products and platforms.
   • Financial Institutions: Banks, investment firms, and other financial institutions hire ethical hackers to protect sensitive financial data and ensure transaction security.
   • E-commerce Businesses: Any business that operates online, especially those that handle transactions, will employ or contract ethical hackers to ensure their platforms are secure.
2. Consultancies and Security Firms:
   • Many ethical hackers work for cybersecurity consulting firms that offer penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and other security services to other businesses.
3. Government Agencies:
   • Law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies, and military branches employ ethical hackers to ensure the security of critical national infrastructure and sensitive data.
   • Regulatory agencies might employ ethical hackers to ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards in regulated industries.
4. Research Institutions:
   • Universities and other research institutions hire ethical hackers to secure research data and ensure the integrity of their IT infrastructure.
5. Healthcare Organizations:
   • Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers employ ethical hackers to protect patient data and ensure the security of medical devices and systems.
6. Start-ups:
   • New tech start-ups, especially in the fintech or healthtech spaces, may hire ethical hackers to ensure their innovative products are secure from the get-go.
7. Utility Companies:
   • Companies that manage critical infrastructure, like water supplies or electricity grids, employ ethical hackers to safeguard against potential cyberattacks.

Browse our job board to find ethical hacking jobs

How to Become an Ethical Hacker

1. Choose Your Niche:
   • Ethical hacking covers various areas such as web applications, network security, mobile security, and even IoT devices. Picking a niche can help focus your learning.
2. Learn to Hack (Legally):
   • Set Up a Lab: Create a safe environment to practice your hacking skills. This often involves setting up virtual machines and isolated networks.
   • Use Learning Platforms: Websites like Hack The Box, TryHackMe, and CTFtime provide challenges for aspiring hackers.
   • Read Books & Resources: There are many great books about ethical hacking, such as “The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook” or “Metasploit: The Penetration Tester’s Guide”.
3. Master Several Tools:
   • Familiarize yourself with tools like Nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, and others. These are vital for vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and network analysis.
4. Understand the Ethics:
   • Always get permission before testing or hacking. Unauthorized hacking is illegal.
   • Respect client confidentiality.
   • Report all findings. Never exploit them for personal gain.
5. Get Certified:
   • Certifications validate your skills and can help with job prospects.
   • CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker): Offered by EC-Council, this is one of the most popular certifications for aspiring ethical hackers.
   • OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional): A hands-on and challenging certification offered by Offensive Security.
   • CompTIA PenTest+: A beginner to intermediate level certification.
   • There are many other specialized certifications in this field as well.

How to Become a Certified Ethical Hacker

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a widely recognized certification offered by the EC-Council. It is designed to certify security practitioners in the network security discipline of Ethical Hacking from a vendor-neutral perspective.

The primary goal of the CEH credential is to reinforce ethical hacking as a unique and self-regulating profession.

The CEH certification covers a broad range of topics that are structured around the hacking process: Reconnaissance, Gaining Access, Enumeration, Maintaining Access, and covering your tracks. Topics include:

• Introduction to ethical hacking
• Footprinting and reconnaissance
• Scanning networks
• Enumeration
• System hacking
• Malware threats
• Sniffing
• Social engineering
• Denial-of-service
• Session hijacking
• Evading IDS, Firewalls, and Honeypots
• Hacking web servers
• Hacking web applications
• SQL injection
• Hacking wireless networks
• Hacking mobile platforms
• IoT and cloud computing
• Cryptography

Steps to Obtain the CEH Certification:

1. Training:
   • Official EC-Council Training: You can choose either classroom, online, or instructor-led training. Those who go through the official training don’t need to have two years of work experience in the Information Security domain (which is otherwise a prerequisite).
   • Self-study: If you don’t want to take the official training, you can opt for self-study. In this case, you would have to prove that you have two years of work experience in the Information Security domain through the EC-Council’s Application Process.
2. Exam Eligibility Application:
   • If you are not taking the EC-Council’s official training, then you will need to fill out an eligibility application form before you can take the exam.
   • You will also need to pay a non-refundable eligibility application fee.
   • After the application is approved, you’ll receive a voucher code which allows you to register and sit for the CEH exam.
3. Taking the Exam:
   • Exam Code: 312-50
   • Format: Multiple choice
   • Duration: 4 hours
   • Number of Questions: 125
   • Passing the CEH exam certifies you as an Ethical Hacker.
4. Maintaining the CEH Certification:
   • The CEH certification is valid for three years.
   • During the three years, you need to earn 120 Continuing Education Credits (ECE) to keep the certification valid.
5. Code of Ethics:
   • EC-Council certified professionals are bound by a code of ethics. It’s important to understand and abide by this code throughout your professional journey.

Advantages of CEH Certification:

• Recognition: It’s one of the most recognized certifications in the cybersecurity industry.
• Job Opportunities: Many companies, especially those in the Fortune 500, consider CEH as a crucial requirement for certain cybersecurity roles.
• Skill Enhancement: The knowledge and skills learned during the CEH training and examination process can significantly enhance a professional’s abilities in cybersecurity.

How Much Do Ethical Hackers Earn?

For more detailed information see our ethical hacker salary guide.

The salary of an ethical hacker can vary significantly based on various factors including experience, location, certification, the industry they’re working in, and the specific employer. As of my last update in September 2021, here are some general insights into the earnings of ethical hackers:

An ethical hacker just starting out, with limited experience can expect to earn anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 annually in the USA. With a few years of experience and multiple certifications, an ethical hacker’s salary can range from $80,000 to $120,000 annually.

Experienced ethical hackers who have specialized skills, a proven track record, and multiple advanced certifications can earn from $120,000 to $150,000 or more annually. Some even earn well over $200,000, especially if they are in leadership roles or have unique specializations.

Freelance Ethical Hackers and Bug Bounty Hunters:

Earnings can vary widely. Some may earn a few hundred or a few thousand dollars for identifying a critical vulnerability, while others can earn over $300,000 a year, especially if they’re top contributors on platforms like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, or Open Bug Bounty.