What is Ethical Hacking? Ethical hacking, often called white-hat hacking, is the practice of testing and securing systems by identifying vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them. Unlike black-hat hackers, who break into systems for malicious purposes, ethical hackers use their skills to improve security. They’re hired by companies or organizations to identify flaws in their systems, networks, and applications to prevent potential data breaches and other cyber-attacks.
Ethical hacking is a critical part of the cybersecurity landscape. As digital infrastructures grow, so do the risks. White-hat hackers use the same methods and techniques as cybercriminals but with the consent and authorization of the organization they're helping.