What Is Ethical Hacking?

According to the World Economic Forum, more than 1.3 billion people were victims of cyberattacks in 2024 alone — a 211 percent surge from the previous year. Unfortunately, as cyberattacks grow larger and more complex, thwarting them also becomes increasingly difficult. Perhaps more than ever, the world needs knowledgeable and experienced cybersecurity professionals to help businesses and individuals safeguard their networks and data.

Enter the ethical hacker, a cybersecurity expert who uses hacking for good. Could this be the right career fit for you? Read on to learn about a career in ethical hacking, types of ethical hacking, and more.

Importance of Ethical Hacking

What is ethical hacking, anyway? Ethical hacking (also commonly referred to as penetration testing) is a cybersecurity process that involves using a wide range of hacking techniques to test systems and networks for security vulnerabilities. In other words, ethical hackers must act like real hackers to help businesses and individuals identify and address vulnerabilities in their cybersecurity strategies.

Ethical hacking is important because, by simulating real-world cyberattacks, these cybersecurity professionals can help organizations and individuals test and improve their cybersecurity strategies. Ethical hacking can give companies the information they need to better protect their data. In some industries, ethical hacking can also be used to demonstrate regulatory compliance.

Benefits of Ethical Hacking 

Many industries today rely on ethical hackers and penetration tests to identify network vulnerabilities, enhance cybersecurity strategies, and better protect their systems against data breaches in the increasingly perilous online world.

For many businesses, the enhanced security that stems from ethical hacking can reduce financial losses by protecting businesses from costly data breaches. Meanwhile, having a strong reputation for cybersecurity and demonstrating a commitment to keeping customer data safe can give companies a competitive edge while boosting customer trust. From a regulatory standpoint, ethical hacking could also help businesses meet certain industry requirements.

How Ethical Hacking Works

Now that you have a better idea of what ethical hacking entails and its many benefits, how exactly does it work? In general, ethical hacking involves a series of four steps, starting with reconnaissance and culminating in a detailed report.

Reconnaissance

During this initial phase, ethical hackers work to gather as much information as possible about the target network or system. This may include details about the network's infrastructure or known vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers in this phase are thinking like malicious hackers, collecting any and all information that could help them carry out a successful attack. 

Scanning

Next, ethical hackers use specialized tools to scan networks and systems, pinpointing specific security vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can vary depending on the system being targeted, but may include unpatched software, weak passwords, open ports, and poorly configured firewalls.

Exploitation

Once an ethical hacker has found gaps in a system's security, the next step is to exploit those vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to the system, often without being detected. Upon gaining access to the target system, ethical hackers can carry out additional tests to assess network security and gain a better understanding of the system's weaknesses.

Reporting

After a white hat attack has been conducted, ethical hackers will review their notes and compile a detailed report of the incident. This report can then be shared with the organization's cybersecurity team, allowing them to make targeted changes and updates to their network security strategies. Often, these reports will contain specific details about how the target system was breached, the vulnerabilities discovered, and recommendations to strengthen overall security.

Types of Ethical Hacking

When exploring the question of “what is ethical hacking?”, it is essential to be aware of several different types of ethical hacking.

Network Hacking

When ethical hackers carry out network hacks, they're specifically targeting wireless networks to access or intercept network traffic. Often, this is done by cracking weak passwords. From there, hackers gain unauthorized access to networks and the potentially sensitive data shared on those networks.

Web Application Hacking

Another common type of ethical hacking involves penetration testing different types of web applications to look for security vulnerabilities, including gaps in authentication and SQL injection. Most often, these attacks are conducted directly on websites.

Social Engineering

One type of attack that has become increasingly common is social engineering, which involves tricking or manipulating people into sharing sensitive information or otherwise compromising a system or network. An ethical hacker, for example, may use a malicious link embedded in a phishing email to gain access to a computer system or network, thereby exploiting human error rather than technical oversight.

Cloud Security Testing

With many businesses today now using cloud-based services for data storage and other purposes, cloud security testing has become increasingly crucial for ethical hackers. In testing cloud-based security, ethical hackers assess details such as password strength, multi-factor authentication, and data encryption.

How Ethical Hackers Differ From Malicious Hackers

When comparing ethical (white hat) hackers to malicious (black hat) hackers, it all comes down to consent and intent. Whereas malicious hackers carry out attacks without permission and with malicious intent, ethical hackers use the same strategies for good. With permission from the organizations they serve, these professionals conduct various types of attacks without causing any actual harm. Instead, they use the information gathered in their work to inform organizations on how to improve their cybersecurity and reduce the risk of falling victim to a real attack.

Responsibilities of Ethical Hackers

On any given day, the responsibilities of an ethical hacker can vary greatly. However, many of these professionals regularly perform a few key duties.

Identifying and Assessing Security Vulnerabilities

Many businesses and individuals may turn to an ethical hacker to conduct a detailed security assessment, which begins by evaluating the company's cybersecurity plan and systems for vulnerabilities. 

Conducting Penetration Testing and Simulated Cyberattacks

In some cases, ethical hackers may be asked to conduct attack simulations, testing how a specific network or system responds to various types of cybersecurity attacks. This can be an excellent way to assess the strength of a system's defenses and further test for vulnerabilities.

Strengthening Security Measures and Providing Recommendations

Following a simulated attack or security assessment, ethical hackers have a crucial responsibility to provide recommendations for improvement. Often, this comes in the form of a detailed report, though many ethical hackers will also meet in person with a company's cybersecurity teams to further discuss their findings and recommendations. In some cases, ethical hackers may even be the ones to implement security improvements.  

Ensuring Compliance With Security Standards and Regulations

Many businesses are subject to industry-specific regulations regarding cybersecurity and information security, so ethical hackers must be aware of these requirements to help their clients maintain regulatory compliance. Examples of specific laws ethical hackers may need to be aware of in their work include:

• the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
• Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)
• General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)

Skills Needed to Become an Ethical Hacker

What does it take to become an ethical hacker? These professionals must possess a range of both technical skills and core competencies to perform their jobs effectively.

Networking and Security Fundamentals

First, ethical hackers must possess a solid understanding of network infrastructure, including detailed knowledge of various network protocols and the fundamentals of network architecture. This knowledge is essential for pinpointing potential security gaps.

Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessment

Likewise, ethical hackers need to be able to carry out both penetration tests and vulnerability assessments for clients. This includes understanding how to apply various types of attacks and strategies to simulate real-world scenarios, as well as writing and sharing detailed reports that recommend improvements to existing systems.

Programming and Scripting

Many hackers rely on scripting and programming to carry out attacks. Therefore, ethical hackers must possess a similar level of knowledge. Ethical hackers must be proficient in commonly used programming languages, including Python and Java.

Cryptography and Encryption

Data encryption and cryptography are also essential skills for an ethical hacker to possess, particularly in understanding security protocols and exploiting weaknesses to access sensitive information.

H3: Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

The most successful malicious hackers can gain unauthorized access to networks by applying their own critical thinking and problem-solving skills. That said, ethical hackers must be prepared to do the same if they want to simulate real-world attacks for their clients.

Ethical Hacker Education and Certifications

To become an ethical hacker, having a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a related field is ideal. From there, many ethical hackers pursue additional certifications or designations to sharpen their skills and differentiate themselves. Some examples of the most in-demand certifications for ethical hackers include:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) - A designation offered by the EC-Council that requires ethical hackers to pass a rigorous exam.
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) - A specific certification in penetration testing known for its challenging, 24-hour exam.
• GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) - Another popular penetration testing designation offered through Global Information Assurance Certification.
• CompTIA PenTest+ - A certification in penetration testing and cybersecurity consulting that tests skills for a variety of attack surfaces, ranging from cloud-based and web applications to on-premises and hybrid networks.

Explore a Cybersecurity Degree at CCO

In many ways, ethical hackers are the undercover superheroes of the web, using their powers for good where others may use them to wreak havoc. If you're interested in a career as an ethical hacker, having a degree in cybersecurity or a related field could help you build the foundational skills and expertise needed for roles in penetration testing, cloud security testing, and beyond.

Champlain College Online is proud to offer an online bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, featuring a career-focused curriculum that includes coursework in ethical hacking, intrusion detection, digital forensics, and other essential skills, with numerous opportunities for hands-on application. Additionally, thanks to the online format of this program, many students can earn their degrees in under four years with a manageable time commitment of just 12-15 hours per week.

Want to learn more? Get in touch with our team today, or get the ball rolling by filling out your online application for admission.