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Who is a White Hat Hacker?
The definition of a white hat hacker is a computer security specialist who breaks into an organization’s protected systems and networks legally to test their security. White hat hackers use their skills to improve security by exposing vulnerabilities before malicious hackers (known as black hat hackers) can detect and exploit them.
Although their methods are similar, if not identical, to those employed by malicious hackers, white hat hackers have permission to employ them against the organization that has hired them.
What is the goal of a white hat hacker? Unlike malicious attackers, white hat hackers use their skills for good, identifying vulnerabilities in software and systems so that they can be patched to prevent breaches and protect data. For this reason, they are often known as “ethical hackers”. The term comes from old Western movies where the cliché was for the “good guy” to wear a white cowboy hat while the “bad guys” wore black hats.
Key Takeaways
- A white hat hacker is a cybersecurity expert who hacks into an organization’s computer security systems to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious hackers.
- White hat hackers play a key role in defending organizations against cyberattacks and fixing security vulnerabilities.
- White hat hackers use penetration testing and social engineering, among other techniques.
- White hat hackers require up-to-date technical knowledge as well as strong problem-solving and communication skills to be effective.
- Other types of hackers include malicious attackers known as black hat hackers and digital vigilantes known as red hat hackers.
What Does a White Hat Hacker Do?
White hat hackers often work as independent consultants and may be considered a type of network security analyst or engineer because they help companies to develop and implement security systems. They can also work as paid employees for companies or cybersecurity firms. They may be reformed black hat hackers, or they may simply be well-versed in the methods and techniques that hackers use.
An organization hires white hat hackers to do tests and implement best practices that make it less vulnerable to malicious hacking attempts in the future. White hat hackers carry out penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to see how easily a company’s IT system can be infiltrated by malicious attackers, such as through encryption backdoors and other vulnerabilities.
White hat hackers may also participate in bug bounty schemes or report issues to antivirus software providers.
The average ethical, “white hat” hacker salary in 2024 is $91,470, according to PayScale.
Famous White Hat Hackers
White Hat Hacking Security Techniques and Tools
There are several different techniques and tools that white hat hackers use to access systems and identify vulnerabilities.
White Hat Hacker vs. Black Hat Hacker & Gray Hat Hacker
Other Types of Hackers
5 Skills to Become a White Hat Hacker
If you are interested in how to become a white hat hacker, you’ll need the following skills:
- Technical knowledge: Ability to work with various technologies, including computer operating systems, security tools, networking protocols, and programming languages.
- Problem solving: Ability to address complex, evolving cybersecurity threats and solve problems using analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Effective communication: Hackers must be able to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical executives and employees so that their recommendations can be implemented effectively.
- Ethics and integrity: White hat hackers must be focused on ethical behavior and maintain their integrity as they discover weaknesses that they could potentially exploit for personal gain.
- Continuous learning: To remain effective, hackers must be motivated to keep learning and stay informed of the latest security threats and solutions.
White Hat Hacking Pros and Cons
- White hat hackers identify and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can find and exploit them.
- White hat hacking reduces the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks, saving organizations from financial loss.
- White hat hackers have specialized knowledge and skills, which organizations may lack in-house.
- White hat hackers act ethically with the permission of the organizations they hack.
- Finding and hiring white hat hackers can be difficult and costly.
- Testing by hacking devices and systems can disrupt normal business operations.
- Balancing security testing with ethical concerns such as privacy can be complicated.
White Hat Hacking Legal Considerations
It is crucial that white hat hackers work within legal boundaries and obtain authorization before testing systems. They must comply with laws, internal and external regulations, and industry standards.
Ethical hackers must follow a professional code of ethics and will typically be required to sign non-disclosure agreements to protect the sensitive information of the organizations they work with and maintain confidentiality.
The Bottom Line
As we have seen in the white hat hacker definition above, they play an important role in helping organizations improve their cybersecurity systems. Their skills in breaching network and computer systems to identify vulnerabilities and defend against malicious attacks from black hat hackers are valuable to organizations of all kinds.
