In an age where cyber threats lurk behind every digital corner, organisations worldwide have awakened to the imperative need to bolster their security defences. This boost in awareness has propelled the demand for Ethical Hackers to new heights. If you possess a relentless curiosity, razor-sharp intellect, and an insatiable appetite for unmasking security vulnerabilities, then a career in Ethical Hacking might just be your calling!
If you're interested in pursuing a career in this exciting and challenging field, there are a number of career paths you can take!
We've also set up an ethical hacking careers quiz for you to discover which career suits you best!
Why Choose Ethical Hacking?
Become a Digital Protector
As an Ethical Hacker, you will be the digital guardian, shielding organizations from malicious cyber attacks, and safeguarding invaluable data and assets.
Skyrocketing Demand
The persistent evolution of cyber threats ensures that Ethical Hackers will forever be invaluable assets. With the cybercrime industry thriving, you can anticipate a future-proof career with limitless growth potential.
Intellectual Stimulation
The dynamic nature of Ethical Hacking ensures an environment that will continuously challenge and stimulate your intellect. Every day is an intriguing puzzle waiting to be solved!
Lucrative Paychecks
Combatting cyber adversaries can be generously rewarding. Ethical Hackers are amongst the highest-paid professionals in the tech industry.
Skill Diversification
As an Ethical Hacker, your skills will extend beyond hacking. You will gain expertise in a plethora of fields, such as network security, cryptography, application security, and more.
Personal Growth & Networking
Ethical Hacking offers loads of opportunities for personal development and networking. With conventions, meetups, and an ever-growing community, you’ll find yourself in an ecosystem of like-minded enthusiasts, brimming with knowledge and experiences to share.
Ethical Hacking Careers
The great thing about ethical hacking careers is that there are many career paths you can go down. You can also work for organisations intending to secure their posture or work independently to support external organisations if you’d like to be your own boss!
Below, we have listed four of the most popular and lucrative careers in ethical hacking:
1. Penetration Tester
UK: £31,595 - £110,000+ [Average £70,000]
USA: $55,000 - $163,500 [Average $90,673]
Penetration Testers are ethical hackers that scale simulated cyber attacks to proactively search for vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure and web applications. This involves testing the security of firewalls, servers, and applications to ensure they are adequately secured against attacks. Penetration testers also work to develop and implement solutions to any weaknesses that they identify.
Penetration Tester Responsibilities
Penetration Testers are responsible for the following:
- Performing penetration tests on networks, applications and computer systems
- Performing physical security assessments to identify vulnerabilities
- Identifying attacker entry points used to exploit vulnerabilities and weaknesses
- Identifying areas needed for improved awareness and education
- Identifying improvements for existing security solutions
- Researching, documenting and discussing findings
- Reviewing and providing feedback for security fixes
- Creating new testing methods to identify vulnerabilities
- Keeping updated on the latest malware and security threats
Pentester Entry Requirements
Some employers seek candidates with relevant degrees, while others require only a demonstration of relevant skills and appropriate experience and knowledge.
For more information on pentesting careers, check out our guides:
2. Security Consultant
UK: £21,400 - £80,000+ [Average £40,300]
USA: $27,000 - $122,451 [Average $69,351]
Cyber Security Consultants are crucial in assessing vulnerabilities in software, networks and computer systems before designing and implementing solutions that meet all needs. One of the critical challenges that security consultants face is the constantly evolving nature of security threats. Hackers and cyber criminals constantly develop new tactics and strategies to breach security systems. As a result, security consultants must be highly skilled and knowledgeable to stay ahead of these threats.
Security Consultant Responsibilities
Security Consultants are responsible for the following:
- Performing vulnerability testing and security checks
- Identifying vulnerabilities and suggesting changes to fix weaknesses
- Monitoring the latest news and emerging threats
- Conducting research on validation procedures
- Developing, implementing and maintaining security policies to minimise vulnerabilities
- Educating internal teams on potential security risks
- Delivering technical reports and test findings with actionable preventative solutions
Security Consultants Entry Requirements
Fortunately, there are many ways to achieve a career as a Cyber Security Consultant. The most straightforward route is a bachelor’s degree in computer science, cyber security, engineering, information security, or other related fields. That said, you can use TryHackMe to learn and upskill before getting started in an IT team to gain a few years of experience and then launch into a career as a Cyber Security Consultant.
3. Red Team Engineer / Operator
UK: £27,642 - £110,000 [Average £50,615]
USA: $31,595 - $159,000 [Average $81,599]
Red Team Engineers (also known as Red Team Operators) are critically important in exploring attackers' tactics, techniques, and procedures to infiltrate IT systems and stay under the radar in covert operations.
Red Team Engineer Responsibilities
Red Team Engineers are responsible for:
- Emulating the role of a threat actor to uncover exploitable vulnerabilities
- Maintaining access and avoiding detection from blue teams without triggering alarms
- Assessing organisations' security controls, threat intelligence, and incident response procedures
- Evaluating and reporting on insights with actionable data for companies to avoid real-world instances
- Identifying new open-source project opportunities and internal tooling needs
- Identifying areas of process improvement within the red team
- Collaborating closely with defensive and infrastructure teams
- Composing detailed reports of red team operations, including goals, outcomes, observations and suggestions for improvement
Red Team Engineer Entry Requirements
Red Team Engineers often come from various backgrounds, establishing diverse expertise along the way. Certifications and training can help build the early foundations, while a broad understanding of IT systems, networks, basic cyber security approaches, common threat types and attack vectors is required. Knowledge of basic programming languages is beneficial.
4. Vulnerability Assessor
UK: £23,000 - £57,000 [Average £36,145]
USA: $32,017 - $112,000 [Average $79,467]
Vulnerability Assessors play a critical role in ensuring the security of computer systems and networks. To identify potential vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit, Vulnerability Assessors perform vulnerability scans using specialised software to scan computer systems and networks for potential security weaknesses.
In addition to identifying vulnerabilities, Vulnerability Assessors must also develop solutions to fix any issues they find. This can involve working with IT teams to implement patches and updates, configuring firewalls and other security tools, and implementing other security measures to mitigate the risk of a breach.
Vulnerability Assessor Responsibilities
Vulnerability Assessors are responsible for:
- Creating and testing custom scripts and applications
- Overseeing and running security audits and scans
- Recognising vital defects that malicious hackers could access
- Running vulnerability assessments
- Providing detailed reporting of findings from assessments
- Implementing strategies to produce false vulnerabilities and discrepancies
Vulnerability Assessor Entry Requirements
Fortunately, no specific degree or major requirements exist, making the career path accessible to many. However, some employers may favour candidates with either an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in Cyber Security or Computer Science. With that being said, real-world experience is frequently the first thing employers look for in a candidate!
How to Start Learning Ethical Hacking
TryHackMe teaches cyber security and hacking in practice! This means you can hack virtual machines in a real-world environment to get realistic, transferable skills in entirely safe surroundings.
You’ll learn the basics of ethical hacking and penetration testing in the four pathways listed below:
CompTIA Pentest+ Pathway (Easy)
Gain hands-on exercises and practical exam preparation to prepare you for the CompTIA PenTest+ exam. Once you complete this pathway, we’ll give you an exclusive 10% discount on the exam!
Jr Penetration Tester Pathway (Intermediate)
Explore the fundamental pentesting methodologies to become a Junior Penetration Tester. We'll introduce you to web application hacking and privilege escalation, equipping you with the practical skills to perform security assessments against web applications and enterprise infrastructure.
Offensive Pentesting Pathway (Intermediate)
Prepare for real-world penetration testing as you master the industry-standard tools to find vulnerabilities in machines in realistic attack scenarios. From then onwards, you can continue to gain pentesting certifications from well-known certifiers in the security industry.
Red Teaming (Intermediate)
Level up with more advanced topics and understand how to execute adversary attack emulations as a Red Team Operator.
Ethical Hacking Certifications
There are several certifications available for individuals looking to become professional ethical hackers. Certifications can demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field. However, they are not always required across all cyber security fields, so we advise you to research specific roles before making a decision.
Our cyber security certifications guide explains everything you need to know about acquiring certifications. In contrast, our Securing Entry-Level Roles in Cyber Security guide dives into our top tips for starting your cyber security career!
Kickstart Your Learning Journey!
What are you waiting for? Kickstart your learning journey and achieve your dream career in ethical hacking!
Ben Spring
