Fundamentals of White Hat Hacking

A white hat hacker, or ethical hacker, uses penetration testing techniques to test an organization’s IT security and identify vulnerabilities. IT security staff then uses the results of such penetration tests to remediate vulnerabilities, strengthen security and lower the organization’s risk factors.

Penetration testing is never a casual undertaking. It involves lots of planning, which includes getting explicit permission from management to perform tests, and then running tests as safely as possible. These tests often involve the very same techniques that attackers use to breach a network for real.

White hat hacking involves a great deal of problem-solving, as well as communication skills. A white hat hacker also requires a balance of intelligence and common sense, strong technical and organizational skills, impeccable judgment, and the ability to remain cool under pressure.

At the same time, a white hat hacker needs to think like a black hat hacker, with all their nefarious goals and devious skills and behaviors. Some top-rate white hat hackers are former black hat hackers who got caught, and for various reasons, decided to leave a life of crime behind and put their skills to work in a positive (and legal) way.