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How to become an Ethical Hacker

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Ethical Hacker jobs

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Ethical Hacker courses

Career progression and salary expectations for an Ethical Hacker

Junior Ethical Hacker

| Up to £30,000

This entry-level role involves conducting basic penetration testing, identifying vulnerabilities, and helping companies secure their systems under the guidance of more experienced cyber security professionals. It’s a hands-on role focused on learning the ropes of ethical hacking.

Penetration Tester

| Up to £50,000

After gaining experience, Junior Ethical Hackers can move into a more specialised role as penetration testers. They perform in-depth security assessments, simulate cyber attacks, and develop detailed reports to help organisations strengthen their defenses.

Senior Ethical Hacker/Cyber Security Consultant

| Up to £80,000

In this senior position, Ethical Hackers lead security testing projects, mentor junior team members, and advise companies on best practices for protecting their digital assets. They often work with clients directly to tailor security strategies.

The role of an Ethical Hacker

What does an Ethical Hacker do?

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An Ethical Hacker is a computer expert who intentionally tries to penetrate a company’s network, in order to help them identify potential security threats.

With the importance placed on our online security at an all-time high, Ethical Hackers (also known as ‘white hat’ hackers or penetration testers) could be invaluable for a business. They use the same methods as their less-reputable namesakes, but document vulnerabilities instead of exploiting them, preventing potential crises and minimising damage.

Typical day-to-day duties for an Ethical Hacker may include:

Testing internal servers and systems, and conducting ‘pentests’
Searching for areas where security may be breached
Documenting weak points in the network
Providing recommendations on how to fix any issues
Helping mitigate risk
Conducting training with developers to improve security awareness

Is a career as an Ethical Hacker right for me?

It almost goes without saying that becoming an Ethical Hacker relies heavily on your computer and networking ability. If the only keyboard you feel comfortable with is a Casio, this may not be the job for you.

But it isn’t all about technical skills. Being able to convince others around the organisation to reveal confidential security details to you (sometimes referred to in the industry as ‘social engineering’) may also be an important part of the role.

Other essential skills for an Ethical Hacker include:

Excellent problem-solving skills
Communication skills
Self-motivation
Good attention to detail
Flexibility
Patience

What's it like to be an Ethical Hacker?

"Being an Ethical Hacker is a little like being the bad guy, but getting paid for it. I get to try and find little vulnerabilities in a network, and basically forecast how they could be exploited. It may not sound glamourous, but those little vulnerabilities have the potential to become big problems for a business, and I know the work I do could save the company thousands of pounds, not to mention people’s jobs. When you think of it like that, it’s actually pretty great being white hat…"

Get qualified as an Ethical Hacker

While a degree in computer science, IT, or cyber security can provide a strong foundation and improve job prospects, many Ethical Hackers enter the field through professional certifications like Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), or CompTIA Security+. These certifications demonstrate technical expertise and hands-on skills, which are often highly valued by employers. Practical experience in cyber security, even through self-taught skills or internships, can also make a candidate competitive without a degree.

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