Ethical Hacking – Jargon Busters

In the latest in our series of cybersecurity jargon busters, we give the low down on ethical hacking.

Most people hear the word “hacker” and picture a menacing figure in a dark hoodie trying to exploit private information for personal gain. However, it’s important we establish the difference between white hat – or ‘ethical’ – hackers and other hackers.

Ethical hackers are hired by organisations to test their own cyber security. The ethical hacker will attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in the company’s systems to work out where the business can improve their cyber security. In this instance, the hacker is on the business’s side and has been asked to help. Therefore they are acting ethically and not breaking the law, making them a ‘white hat’ hacker.

Black hat hackers are the more stereotypical cyber criminals who break into computer networks with malicious intent. They are not asked to do this by the business, and the information they find will be used to harm rather than help the business. 

But it’s not all black and white… 

Grey hat hackers (as the name would suggest) fall somewhere in the middle. They may hack into a business’s network without being asked and ask for money in return for highlighting where the business’ cyber security can be improved, or they may threaten to expose sensitive data if they aren’t paid. They are not quite as ethical as the white hat hackers, but not as malicious as the black hat hackers.

If you have any questions about ethical hacking, or anything else to do with your organisation’s cyber security, get in touch using the form below or email info@securious.co.uk