What is an ethical hacker?

Before we get into ethical hacking, what is hacking?

Hacking is the act of exploiting vulnerabilities in a computer system in order to gain access without authorisation. The Computer Misuse Act 1990 makes hacking and any associated malicious activity illegal, specifically:

1. Unauthorised access to computer material.
2. Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate the commission of further offences.
3. Unauthorised acts with intent to impair, or with recklessness as to impairing, operation of a computer, etc.
   • Unauthorised acts causing, or creating risk of, serious damage.
   • Making, supplying or obtaining articles for use in offence under section 1, 3 or 3ZA.

Hacking is usually associated with cybercrime. But, for system owners to know whether their system is easy to exploit, hacking needs to be utilised. This is where ethical hacking comes in.

So, what is ethical hacking? Ethical hacking is essentially just hacking with one major difference – authorisation. The same strategies and processes used by malicious hackers are done in a controlled way, authorised by the system owner, to detect vulnerabilities in their system.

What is the role of an ethical hacker? 

Ethical hackers are hired by organisations and given authorisation to conduct something called a penetration test. This method is an imitation of a real system attack, where the ethical hacker will try to break into a computer system to collect information on its weaknesses.

Ethical hackers can also make assessments on the potential damage that a real, malicious hacker could cause once inside the system. They will then make a report, detailing their discoveries and how the vulnerabilities can be resolved. The organisation uses these findings to fix any issues, strengthen its cyber security, and prevent a future breach.

A key characteristic of the role is having a strict moral compass. Ethical hackers follow a code of ethics that centres on the importance of authorisation, confidentiality, and legality within their actions.

Why is ethical hacking important?

In 2024, ethical hackers are more important than ever. The advancements in cyber security technology and processes are ever-growing, meaning that there is more demand for professionals who can stay ahead of these trends.

Developments in artificial intelligence have the potential to make malicious hacking easier, and the increasing use of technology for industries like healthcare and finance means that there is more sensitive information at risk.

Ethical hackers are now indispensable in our tech-centred world to protect against data breaches and disruption to vital services.

How to become a certified ethical hacker

To become an ethical hacker, you’ll first need a good understanding of cyber security.  Achieving this requires some relevant work experience and entry-level training. We recommend the OffSec SEC-100 CyberCore - Security Essentials course for those looking to get started in this industry.

Then, you’ll need to complete an official certification in ethical hacking. The most popular is the EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). The CEH is internationally recognised and one of the most sought-after security qualifications in the world.

However, this is not the only option out there. Read on to find out what options there are and find the best certification or course for you.

Ethical hacking training

QA provides a range of options when it comes to ethical hacking training.

As well as the CEH, we offer various other certifications on ethical hacking and penetration testing:

• Certified in The Art of Hacking
• CREST Practitioner Security Analyst
• OffSec PEN-200 (OSCP)

We also offer courses on ethical hacking at intermediate and expert levels, including:

• Advanced Infrastructure Hacking
• Web Hacking Black Belt Edition
• Certified in Hacking and Defending the Cloud

Haven’t found anything you fancy? Take a general look at our cyber security training courses to explore what else we have to offer!