why hire an ethical hacker

Introduction：

1、Why Businesses Need Ethical Hackers

Why Businesses Need Ethical Hackers ♂

　　Companies like IBM employ teams of Ethical Hackers to keep their systems secure.

　　Costs of security testing vary based on businesses. Businesses with large user data base might need to pay hefty costs while others might pay lesser for information security. Tasks like checking of firewalls, servers, IP addresses do cost high but this investment is justified compared to the loss caused by cyber-attacks. To safeguard the systems, companies can either hire an ethical hacking firm or agency or hire ethical hackers. This decision is made based on various factors. Few businesses cannot afford to allow other agent to hack in systems from outside for security and therefore hire in-house ethical hackers. While others go for ethical hacking firms to protect their systems and network. In both the circumstances, ethical hackers need to sign a legal agreement with various terms and conditions with the host client.

　　Today, hiring ethical hackers is not a matter of choice but a necessity for businesses. EC Council governs the Certified Ethical Hacker program to qualify professional hackers. For all obvious reasons, CEH are in high demand in businesses across industries worldwide.

Related questions

It's important to clarify that hiring or engaging with "black hat hackers" (individuals who conduct unauthorized, malicious cyber activities) is illegal, unethical, and strongly discouraged. Black hat activities include hacking for personal gain, stealing data, deploying ransomware, or disrupting systems, all of which violate laws worldwide (e.g., the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in the U.S., GDPR in the EU, and similar regulations globally).

Key Points to Consider:

1. Legal Consequences:

   • Participating in or hiring someone for black hat activities can lead to severe penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and permanent criminal records.
   • Even attempting to hire a hacker could expose you to legal liability.

2. Ethical Concerns:

   • Black hat hacking harms individuals, businesses, and critical infrastructure. It erodes trust and can cause irreversible damage.

3. Scams and Risks:

   • Many who claim to offer "hacking services" are scammers. They may take your money, steal your data, or report you to authorities.

Alternatives to Consider:

If you have a legitimate need (e.g., testing security, recovering an account, or protecting systems), explore ethical and legal options:

• White Hat Hackers (Ethical Hackers): Certified professionals who test systems for vulnerabilities with permission. Look for:
  • Certified Ethical Hackers (CEH) via EC-Council.
  • Penetration Testers (e.g., Offensive Security Certified Professionals).
• Cybersecurity Firms: Companies like CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, or IBM Security provide legal hacking services.
• Bug Bounty Programs: Platforms like HackerOne or Bugcrowd let you pay researchers to find vulnerabilities in your systems legally.
• Law Enforcement: If you're a victim of hacking, report it to agencies like the FBI (U.S.), NCA (UK), or your local cybercrime unit.

Protect Yourself:

• Strengthen Cybersecurity: Use firewalls, encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and regular updates.
• Educate Employees: Train teams to recognize phishing and social engineering attacks.
• Consult Experts: Work with cybersecurity professionals to audit and secure your systems.

If you're exploring this topic out of curiosity, focus on ethical hacking鈥攁 growing field that rewards skills legally and constructively. Resources like TryHackMe or Hack The Box offer safe, legal environments to learn.

Always stay on the right side of the law and ethics! Let me know if you'd like guidance on cybersecurity or ethical hacking. 馃敀