Corona has severely changed our world with hard lockdowns and the resulting social distancing. The digitization of our companies was additionally driven by Corona. However, this also automatically means that the need for IT security is increasing. More and more systems, web applications, and other communication tools are going online that allow employees to work from home. Unfortunately, these systems are often not sufficiently protected against data theft, misuse, or manipulation by hackers.
A pen tester is an information security expert who cracks IT systems because companies have commissioned him to do so. In the process, he often finds alternative ways to gain access to a system’s functionality. To put it briefly: a penetration tester breaks things to help protect them.
What skills does an ethical hacker need?
An ethical hacker has the same skills as a malicious hacker but uses them not to cause harm, but to avoid it. An ethical hacker is characterized by an advanced understanding of computers, networks, and programming.
What does an ethical hacker do?
An ethical hacker is a computer and network expert who attacks security systems on behalf of their owners. In doing so, he looks for vulnerabilities that a hacker with malicious intentions could also exploit.
Web Security Consulting
A simple example: phishing emails. These can be fake e-mails, web pages, or SMS with the aim to get the personal data of a user. Recognizing such an email is sometimes not so easy. A simple example of the goal of a phishing email would be to get into a social media account for harmless “mischief”. Hackers need no more than 2 minutes to set up and send such a phishing email. And sometimes these people are not 36 years old, but 12! Pen testers can help protect your employees and your business from such attacks in the long run.
What does a pentest cost?
The usual daily rates of professional penetration testers currently range from 1,000 to 1,800 euros, resulting in a price range of 2,000 to 18,000 euros for a targeted penetration test.
How much do you earn as an Ethical Hacker?
Earning potential depends on the type of employment and the employer. For freelance ethical hackers, the standard hourly or daily rates for computer security experts in the industry apply. Salaries for permanent ethical hackers range from entry-level salaries of EUR 30,000 per year to six figures for experienced experts. It is difficult to make a general statement here, as remuneration often does not consist of a fixed salary, but is made up of so-called “bug bounties”. Salaried ethical hackers usually earn an average of €57,800.