What is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical Hacking refers to the permitted and/or commissioned search for security vulnerabilities and weaknesses on behalf of a company. The goal of Ethical Hacking is to always be faster than a Black Hat Hacker - the aim is to find security vulnerabilities and general security problems as quickly as possible. The opposite of Ethical Hacking is, logically, illegal hacking. Here, the attacker has no permission to attack an existing system - but does it anyway.

Why is Ethical Hacking so important in 2025?

Proactive finding and reporting of security vulnerabilities should be an important part of any IT security strategy in 2025. In the best case, an Ethical Hacker reports security vulnerabilities faster than they can be found and exploited by a Black Hat Hacker. Overall, it enables companies and organizations to strengthen their IT security more effectively; it is an adequate means to prevent data loss and financial damage. And this comes with increased customer trust in the company.

How does Ethical Hacking differ from "normal" hacking?

This question is often asked - regarding the use of tools and techniques - one can say: there are hardly any differences. The big question here is how the reader defines "normal" hacking. Most define it as malicious hacking - that is, entering a system without permission. Ethical Hacking, on the other hand, is entering a system with permission. That's what White Hat Hackers do. That's probably the biggest difference. Occasionally one reads about ethical codes and rules - the latter is certainly the case when it comes to Ethical Hacking in the context of Bug Bounty Programs. Here, hackers must follow strict rules and adhere to scope and procedures, for example.

What methods and techniques do Ethical Hackers use?

As mentioned above, Ethical Hackers use the same tools and techniques as Black Hats. They simulate real attacks on IT systems, networks, and people. They use methods from Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Analysis. This means that they naturally search for security vulnerabilities automatically ("Low Hanging Fruit") but also sometimes use tools like Burp Suite or Caido to find more complex security vulnerabilities in applications. Hacking is basically always a very creative process, so Ethical Hackers, just like Red Teamers, Pentest providers, and IT security personnel in general, create their own tools to find certain problems faster. As an example, we recommend our own Github repository, where the reader can find some (of many) tools that we have developed ourselves.

How do you become an Ethical Hacker?

First of all: Anyone can become an (Ethical) Hacker. Basically, there are no special requirements. Those who have in-depth knowledge of IT security, network technology, or software development have a certain advantage. However, we know many people who are not penetration testers but are still very good Ethical Hackers. They are incredibly creative in finding certain problems. The formal path - IT studies and a master's degree in IT security (or comparable) - is of course recommended for anyone who aspires to a "classical career". This is usually a good start, which can then be continued with certifications like the OSCP. For the latter, however, a degree is not a prerequisite - anyone can tackle OSCP or similar, for example.

What ethical principles apply to Ethical Hackers?

The following principles apply to Ethical Hackers - but also to everyone in IT or IT security.

1. Confidentiality:
   One often deals with confidential information and sees things that are not meant for most people. One must behave accordingly. Data of this kind must not be passed on.
2. Integrity:
   One should always be honest and have integrity. Transparent reporting is a must.
3. Legality:
   One should be aware that the line between legal and illegal hacking can be very thin. Strict adherence to all rules, regulations, laws, and scope is a must.

What are Bug Bounty Programs and how do they work?

Bug Bounty Programs are a relatively new and special variant of Ethical Hacking. Companies and organizations rely on a large mass of (mostly) anonymous hackers. The principle is simple: There is a precise policy that states what "everyone" can and cannot do. If you stay within this framework of rules, you may legally attack the company or the scope, and are obligated to report security vulnerabilities immediately. This follows a precise process that usually ends with a "bounty" for the reporter. Companies thus create a financial incentive for IT experts to report vulnerabilities directly to them instead of selling them on the Darknet. Success examples include platforms like HackerOne or companies like Microsoft, Google, or Meta that offer such programs.