ethical hacker
Snapshot
Interested in cybersecurity and protecting systems from attacks? As an ethical hacker, you'll use your skills to proactively identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them, playing a vital role in safeguarding digital assets.
Ethical hackers are security professionals who simulate cyberattacks to test the resilience of computer systems, networks, and applications. Your work involves meticulously examining digital infrastructure for weaknesses, documenting findings, and recommending solutions to strengthen security posture. This role demands a blend of technical expertise, analytical thinking, and a deep understanding of cybersecurity principles.
- • Conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration tests using industry-standard methodologies.
- • Analyzing systems for weaknesses stemming from configuration errors, software flaws, or operational vulnerabilities.
- • Documenting identified vulnerabilities and providing clear, actionable recommendations for remediation.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Information and communications technology professionals — 75 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark and 6 more.
Longest-running shortage: Austria, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could ethical hacker fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
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Future Outlook for ethical hacker
The outlook for ethical hacker reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could ethical hacker change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could ethical hacker change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- engage with stakeholders
- communicate with stakeholders
- monitor system performance
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- analyse the context of an organisation
- identify ICT security risks
- implement ICT risk management
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Digital Technology
A typical day as a ethical hacker
09 09:00 · Morning conduct ICT code review
10 10:30 · Mid-morning develop code exploits
12 12:00 · Midday execute ICT audits
14 14:00 · Afternoon execute social engineering tests
15 15:30 · Late afternoon execute software tests
17 17:00 · Wrap-up identify ICT security risks
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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attack vectors
Paths or methods that threat actors use to exploit vulnerabilities in information networks or systems from a concrete organisation and impact its availability, integrity and confidentiality. Attack vectors may include social engineering tactics such as phishing mails or pretexting, technical exploits as SQL injection as well as buffer overflow attacks.
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building systems monitoring technology
Computer-based control systems that monitor mechanical and electrical equipment in a building such as HVAC, security and lighting systems.
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computer forensics
The process of examining and recovering digital data from sources for legal evidence and crime investigation.
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cyber attack counter-measures
Methods, technologies and techniques used to defend (detect, monitor and recover) against cyber attacks. These cyber attacks include several attack vectors such as malware, denial of service (DoS) attacks and phishing. Intrusion prevention systems (IPS), firewall, antivirus, intrusion detection systems (IDS), cybersecurity training, backup, Information Security Management System (ISM), multi-factor authentication and employ awareness, are some examples of the methods used.
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cyber security
The methods and best practices that protect ICT systems, networks, computers, devices, services, processes and people against unauthorised access, modification and/or denial of service of assets.
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ethical hacking principles
The set of actions that are carried out to detect vulnerabilities within a computerised system in order to improve security within an organisation. They aim to identify and address data breaches and threats in a network.
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conduct ICT code review
Examine and review systematically computer source code to identify errors in any stage of development and to improve the overall software quality.
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develop code exploits
Create and test software exploits in a controlled environment to uncover and check system bugs or vulnerabilities.
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use scripting programming
Utilise specialised ICT tools to create computer code that is interpreted by the corresponding run-time environments in order to extend applications and automate common computer operations. Use programming languages which support this method such as Unix Shell scripts, JavaScript, Python and Ruby.
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execute software tests
Perform tests to ensure that a software product will perform flawlessly under the specified customer requirements and identify software defects (bugs) and malfunctions, using specialised software tools and testing techniques.
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identify ICT system weaknesses
Analyse the system and network architecture, hardware and software components and data in order to identify weaknesses and vulnerability to intrusions or attacks. Execute diagnostic operations on cyber infrastructure including research, identification, interpretation and categorization of vulnerabilities, associated attacks and malicious code (e.g. malware forensics and malicious network activity). Compare indicators or observables with requirements and review logs to identify evidence of past intrusions.
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perform ICT security testing
Execute types of security testing, such as network penetration testing, wireless testing, code reviews, wireless and/or firewall assessments in accordance with industry-accepted methods and protocols to identify and analyse potential vulnerabilities.
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manage system security
Analyse the critical assets of a company and identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities that lead to intrusion or attack. Apply security detection techniques. Understand cyber attack techniques and implement effective countermeasures.
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identify ICT security risks
Apply methods and techniques to identify potential security threats, security breaches and risk factors using ICT tools for surveying ICT systems, analysing risks, vulnerabilities and threats and evaluating contingency plans.
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implement ICT risk management
Develop and implement procedures for identifying, assessing, treating and mitigating ICT risks, such as hacks or data leaks, according to the company's risk strategy, procedures and policies. Analyse and manage security risks and incidents. Recommend measures to improve digital security strategy.
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analyse the context of an organisation
Study the external and internal environment of an organisation by identifying its strengths and weaknesses in order to provide a base for company strategies and further planning.
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engage with stakeholders
Use a variety of processes that result in mutually negotiated agreements, shared understandings and consensus building. Build partnerships within the work context.
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address problems critically
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.
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execute social engineering tests
Perform simulated social engineering attacks to identify vulnerabilities in an organization's security posture. Social engineering tests may involve phishing emails, pretexting, or other forms of manipulation used by attackers to obtain sensitive information or unauthorized access to systems.
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communicate with stakeholders
Facilitate communication between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the organisation and its objectives.
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does ethical hacker fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between an ethical hacker and a malicious hacker?
- The key difference is intent. Ethical hackers work *with* organizations to improve their security, while malicious hackers exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain or to cause harm. Ethical hacking is a legal and authorized practice, performed with permission and within defined scope.
- Do I need a specific degree to become an ethical hacker?
- While a degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field can be beneficial, it's not always required. Practical experience, certifications, and a strong understanding of networking and security principles are highly valued. Continuous learning is essential in this rapidly evolving field.
- What kind of reporting is involved in this role?
- Reporting is a significant part of the job. You’ll create detailed reports that clearly describe vulnerabilities, their potential impact, and prioritized recommendations for fixing them. These reports are typically shared with system administrators, developers, and security managers.
- Ethical Hacker — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 10 of the 11 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark and 6 more. Austria has reported one for 3 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Ethical Hacker — what does it pay in the United States?
- $108,970 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $60,470 to $156,590. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.