How to Become an Ethical Hacker: A Career Guide

Ethical hackers specialize in offensive security, a key security measure organizations use to prevent costly cyberattacks. Use this article to learn more about different types of hackers, the technical skills you'll need to become an ethical hacker, ethical hacking certifications, and more. 

Read more: What Is a Certified Ethical Hacker?

What is ethical hacking?

The primary goal of ethical hacking is to test an organization’s systems for security vulnerabilities. To be successful in this role, you must follow specific guidelines to hack legally; this includes receiving approval from the organization to imitate real-world cyberattacks. Some typical tasks and responsibilities for an ethical hacker include: 

• Performing security assessments to determine how someone with malicious intent may hack an organization’s system 

• Penetration testing and simulating social engineering attacks

• Reporting and documenting system or network vulnerabilities to help an organization improve their security posture

• Ensuring that discoveries regarding security flaws remain confidential

• Examining an organization’s technology infrastructure and existing security solutions

Read more: What Is Ethical Hacking?

How to become an ethical hacker

Relevant training and experience can help you inspire trust among potential employers and obtain an ethical hacking job. The next few sections outline steps you can take to qualify for this in-demand cybersecurity career.

Gain the necessary education and training

Due to the sensitive nature of this position, you'll need to have a strong background in information technology. However, there's no one right path to becoming a white hat hacker. Forty-four percent of hackers have a bachelor's degree, 28 percent have a high school diploma, nine percent have an associate degree, and eight percent have a master's degree [1]. The most commonly pursued majors for this role include computer science, computer engineering, finance, and business.

Essential ethical hacking skills

In this role, you'll be using many of the same skills as a malicious hacker (also known as a black hat hacker), so a strong understanding of data privacy and ethics are essential. You'll need sharp hacking skills and a thorough understanding of networks, firewalls, coding, operating systems, and more. Common areas of focus include:

• Strong knowledge of security systems, hardware and database management

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

• A good understanding of the phases of ethical hacking, patching, and vulnerability assessments

• Research skills to help you stay abreast of the latest malicious hacking techniques and cyber threats

• Scanning ports for vulnerabilities and performing network traffic analysis

• Evading intrusion prevention and detection systems

• Programming skills, including essential languages like JavaScript, PHP, SQL, and

  Python

• Penetration testing

• Technical writing and familiarity with cybersecurity protocols and regulations

• Cyber incident response

• Information security

Read more: Cybersecurity Terms: A to Z Glossary

Ethical hacking certifications

Certifications can lead to new opportunities for high-ranking and paying jobs in private IT sectors and the government. Here are a few to consider: 

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is offered by the EC-Council and helps learners gain hands-on experience with cybersecurity techniques. You’ll need to renew it every three years and complete a minimum of 120 hours of continuing education.

• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) is offered by OffSec and introduces penetration testing and white-hat hacking techniques and tools. You’ll gain knowledge about the latest hacking tools from industry professionals. This program is recommended for information

  security professionals. 

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is offered by ISC2 and is ideal for experienced cybersecurity professionals. Gaining this certification validates your cybersecurity skills to potential employers. This certification covers topics like asset security, security management, network security, and more. You’ll need five or more years of relevant work experience to qualify for this exam.

Read more: 10 Popular Cybersecurity Certification

Gain ethical hacking experience

As you begin your job search, you may find that junior-level ethical hacking roles require years of experience. You can gain experience in related entry-level positions like IT technician, systems administrator, or junior . Another way to gain experience on your resume would be to develop your own projects and enter hacking competitions.

At the entry level, you might find ethical hacking as a standalone position, or it may be one facet of your responsibilities in a broader cybersecurity role. Some examples of related roles include: 

• Penetration tester: As a penetration tester, you’ll perform simulated cyberattacks on an organization’s network and computer systems to identify weak areas before cybercriminals can exploit them. 

• Information security analyst: In this role, you'll use ethical hacking to pinpoint weaknesses and vulnerabilities. You’ll also work in a broader capacity by performing compliance control testing, developing training programs, and implementing security practices.

• Security engineer: As a security engineer, you'll not only perform ethical hacking but also plan and execute upgrades to the network, test new security features, and respond to security incidents.

Stay updated on cybersecurity trends.

Ethical hacking and cybersecurity are fast-paced, rapidly-evolving industries. Criminal hacking evolves just as quickly, which is why it's essential to stay on top of the latest and emerging threats. Once you’re working in the field, you’ll have to continue staying abreast of hackers’ techniques, cybersecurity threats, and other relevant issues. 

Read more: 7 Cybersecurity Trends to Know in 2024

Ethical hacker salary

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for an ethical hacker in the US is $214,000 annually [2]. This figure includes additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses. Keep in mind that factors that influence your earning potential include geographic location, years of experience, the industry you work in, and the types of certifications you have. 

Read more: Ethical Hacker Salary (2024): What You'll Make and Why

Prepare for a role in ethical hacking with Coursera

Take the next step toward a career in cybersecurity by enrolling in the Google Cybersecurity Professional on Coursera. Upon completion, you’ll have exclusive access to a job platform with over 150 employees hiring for entry-level cybersecurity roles and other resources that will support you in your job search.