Benefits of Hiring a Certified Ethical Hacker, Plus Roles & Salaries

In the age of ever-emerging innovations, Tech businesses that recognize the need to integrate new advancements are realizing the need for better cyber security due to the growing threat of cyber security attacks.

Though new technologies are created almost daily, there’s still a huge cyber security talent gap in the Tech industry, leading many forward-thinking Tech companies to find creative ways to close the gap by exploring the benefits of hiring ethical hackers and other non-traditional candidates for their niche Tech roles.  

Though it may seem counterintuitive to hire hackers or gamers for your niche vacant roles, it can open up a new pool of candidates that can help close the talent gap within your business.

Despite developing their skills by previously hacking into secure networks and devices, it is this hands-on experience that makes hackers an inventive solution to the cyber security talent gap within your company.

What is ethical hacking?

Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or security auditing, is the process of testing an organization’s computer systems and networks for vulnerabilities.

These tests are performed with the permission of the organization being tested and with the goal of finding and fixing security issues before they can be exploited by malicious hackers.

Here we uncover a few of the benefits of hiring hackers or gamers, the qualities to look for in potential job candidates, and the roles they’re best suited for.

Benefits of hiring a certified ethical hacker

There are several benefits of working with a certified ethical hacker from overhead cost savings and productivity, to enhanced network security.

Why hire an ethical hacker?

• Overhead cost savings
• Data breach cost savings
• Gamification improves productivity
• Enhanced network security 
• Access to cyber security experts

Overhead cost savings

Hackers are notorious for working independently. However, this could be a great advantage for your Tech business because these Tech professionals would be comfortable working remotely, without the need for an office environment or the physical guidance of a supervisor or manager.

Remote employees can immediately decrease your overhead expenses, allowing your business to redirect those unused funds towards salaries, Tech investments, and enhanced, elevated paid search strategies.  

Data breach cost savings

Data breach cost savings alone is enough reason to hire an ethical hacker. According to an extensive report by IBM, the average cost of a data breach by those surveyed was $4.24 million.

If an ethical hacker can find and fix a security vulnerability before it’s exploited, it can potentially save your organization millions of dollars upfront and millions down the line as a result of customers leaving due to broken trust in your organization.

Gamification improves productivity

Another benefit of hiring hackers and gamers is the introduction of gamification into the workplace. Gamification is the application of game elements and principles in non-game contexts to increase engagement.

Gamification increases productivity by merging duties and company goals with awards and recognition, over 400 multinational companies like Google, Formapost, and Dominos have heavily invested in gamification.

These Tech professionals equipped with gamification can help other employees get involved with tasks usually considered boring. Your company’s overall levels of productivity will improve now that employees have more incentives and rewards to get work done.

Enhanced network security 

Ethical hackers can get into the mind of malicious hackers and can help to find and fix security issues before they are taken advantage of by cybercriminals.

This type of testing can also improve your organization’s overall security posture by identifying any weaknesses in systems and networks.

Furthermore, ethical hacking builds trust between an organization and its customers- especially when it comes to data privacy and security.

Access to cyber security experts

There is no denying the current Tech talent gap that the entire industry is facing. However, a benefit of hiring hackers and gamers is the access to a new pool of Tech talent and cyber security professionals, helping your company discover experienced candidates and fill the talent gap.

The demand for ethical hackers and penetration testers is rising, especially in large online companies, government agencies, cybersecurity consultancies, and major tech firms.

The information security field is projected to grow by 28% by 2026, a rate surpassing general computer careers, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Top ethical hacking jobs & ethical hacker salary

Certified ethical hacking consists of many ethical hacking jobs like network security engineers, front-end developers, and cyber security engineers.

Ethical hackers as network security engineers

Network security engineers make an average salary range of $92,000-$172,000.

Network security engineers are responsible for identifying potential security risks and recommending solutions to improve the overall security health of the organization.

Ethical hackers are hired by organizations as network security engineers to test their systems for vulnerabilities while protecting their systems from attack.

Gamers as front-end developers

Front-end developers make an average salary range of $124,000-$180,000.

Front-end developers are responsible for implementing visual elements that users see and interact with within a web application, service, or product.

Gamers are great for this position because they have had experience working with the latest interfaces and AR/VR technology.

They can ensure that there is a coherent experience for visitors while collaborating with network security engineers to create a safe and secure online experience for customers.

Using gamers for front-end development will ultimately help your business attract, retain and increase its audience.

Ethical hackers as cyber security engineers

Cyber security engineers make an average salary range of $116,000-$208,000.

Cyber security engineers will help your Tech business work to build and maintain a system that’s safe against social cyberattacks and emerging security flaws.

Hackers and gamers are continually updating systems and staying current on new techniques and modifications.

This is why they make perfect cyber security Engineers, who on a daily schedule will update, maintain, and secure systems while staying up to date on evolving cybersecurity threats so they can keep your Tech business protected.

Can hackers help your business?

Ethical hacking has many benefits from finding and fixing security issues to improving your organization’s overall security and building trust with your customers.

If you are considering hiring an ethical hacker for your organization, be sure to do your research and choose a reputable source to help you vet each candidate.

Ethical hacking can be a powerful tool for protecting your business and with the potential for a decrease in office expenses, higher levels of productivity due to gamification, enhanced security systems, and access to Tech professionals during an industry-wide Tech talent shortage, it may be time to strongly consider hiring an ethical hacker or gaming professional.

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For a complete breakdown of all the top cyber security, gaming, and tech salaries, download our 2023 Salary Guide.

More articles about top industry salaries and trends:

• 10 Tech Jobs That Saw the Highest Salary Growth This Year
• Pay Transparency: What States Have It & Why It’s Important
• How to Adjust Tech Hiring Criteria Without Sacrificing Quality
• Highest Paid Mobile & Front-End Developer Jobs & Top Salaries
• 6 Highest-Paid Cyber Security Jobs & Salaries