Exploring Career Options in Ethical Hacking: Jobs, Skills and Future Prospects

According to reports, over 83% of companies in India faced cybersecurity incidents in 2023-24 causing losses of millions of dollars. As per projections, global cybercrime losses caused by phishing, web attacks, and supply chain attacks are likely to reach up to USD 10.5 trillion annually by 2025. 

With cyberattacks becoming frequent and common, organizations face several kinds of threats. In the face of such mounting threats, the need for ethical hackers has grown manifold, emphasizing the immediate surge in ethical hacking roles in India and worldwide.

Ethical hacking is an enthralling career path for cybersecurity enthusiasts as it involves using hacking skills for positive purposes to strengthen security. If you are a cybersecurity enthusiast, an IT professional, an aspiring cybersecurity professional, or a security enthusiast, ethical hacking is the best career option for you. The blog further discusses the various career options in ethical hacking, skills, and future trends.

Career Options in Ethical Hacking

Ethical hackers are security professionals who identify system vulnerabilities by employing various techniques. These professionals hack systems to enforce cybersecurity in organizations and to prevent cybercriminals from causing malicious activities. 

Since India is a major IT industry hub, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing rapidly. Ethical hacking professionals are employed in security companies, government agencies, and MNCs. They can work as freelancers or consultants too. As these roles require a strong understanding of computer programming, networks, and cybersecurity principles, recognized software engineering courses can significantly enhance career prospects in this field. Let us take a look at some of the most popular career options in Ethical Hacking:

1. Cybersecurity Analyst

A Cybersecurity Analyst is a professional who is involved in planning and implementing security measures to safeguard computer systems from malicious activities. They create disaster recovery plans to follow in case of emergency security breaches and stay abreast with the latest methods that cybercriminals might use to infiltrate computer networks.   

Responsibilities

• Monitor computer networks to identify any irregularity
• Stay ahead of security threats and the latest trends
• Educate staff, colleagues, and subordinates on security practices

Average Salary:

₹ 6 lakhs per annum

2. Cybersecurity Consultant

These are professionals who assess the security risks of a business and create solutions and security measures to protect organizations from security threats. These are individuals passionate about learning how to solve problems using technology. With the surge in cyberattacks, the demand for consultants with cybersecurity skills has increased astoundingly. 

Responsibilities:

• Use technology to assess the security and risks of organizations
• Informing businesses about securing networks to lower the risks of information breaches 
• Do routine checks on the company's network to identify any hacks or data breaches

Average Salary:

₹ 9 lakhs per annum

3. Cybersecurity Architect

These senior-level professionals are involved in creating, implementing, and maintaining the computer system and network infrastructure of an organization. Being a strategic position, it required the individual to be thorough with the business knowledge of the organization and technologies to conduct operations.   

Responsibilities:

• To anticipate the acts of hackers to defend the organization from security risks
• To manage the security team and maintain effective communication with key stakeholders
• To update systems as per changes in the security landscape

Average Salary:

₹ 26. 9 lakhs per annum

4. IT Security Specialist

These individuals are responsible for limiting the network and system security risks of companies. They are responsible for designing and maintaining measures to ensure the security needs of organizations. They integrate the latest security software in the network system of companies and develop data recovery plans in the event of data hacking. 

Responsibilities:

• They run network tests to ensure added security measures
• They integrate firewall protection, password requirements, and antivirus programs
• They design and maintain safety measures to meet security needs

Average Salary:

₹ 15. 9 lakhs per annum

5. Security Engineer

Security engineers are responsible for creating technologies to ensure the safety of businesses from hacks. They are responsible for identifying the existing security systems to find areas of improvement to enhance safety.  

Responsibilities:

• To develop security measures or architecture of networks to lower the risk of data breaches
• To create systems with enhanced data security and updated password requirements 
• To update the technology of companies with the most advanced security features

Average Salary:

₹ 10 lakhs per annum

6. Penetration Tester

The role of a penetration Tester is a fascinating one among all the cybersecurity roles available. These individuals are responsible for identifying and understanding the security risks of computer networks of organizations. They generally use hacking software to identify risks and vulnerabilities in the network of their companies to determine areas that require enhanced security.  

Responsibilities:

• Perform penetration testing on a company's IT and operating system as well as mobile devices
• Conduct risk analyses to identify software with the highest risks
• Maintain detailed reports on findings to share with IT teams

Average Salary:

₹7.7 lakhs per annum

7. Information Security Analyst

These are technology professionals mainly responsible for safeguarding companies from viruses and hackers. They are required to install security software to prevent hackers from gaining access to the computer systems of a company.  

Responsibilities:

• To update security systems regularly with firewall protection programs
• To discover network vulnerabilities of an organization
• To educate employees on potential risks and data breaches 

Average Salary:

₹ 7 lakhs per annum

8. Security Auditor 

Security auditors work in private companies or governmental organizations and their job role differs depending on the position they hold. They are responsible for providing internal reviews of security measures and security systems. They also analyze any latest breaches or security concerns for businesses.

Responsibilities:

• Performing cybersecurity audits
• Preparing reports on cybersecurity systems that are in place
• Providing an overview of the audit process

Average Salary:

₹ 8.6 lakhs per annum

Also read: Introduction to Cyber Security: Everything Beginners Need to Know

Industries Hiring Ethical Hackers 

Different industries where cybersecurity is critical, hire ethical hackers. These sectors rely on these professionals to protect their organizations’ sensitive data and computer networks to prevent cyber threats and attacks. Take a look at some of these industries and the role of ethical hackers in such industries:

How to Start a Career in Ethical Hacking

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Gain the required education: Complete your 10+2 in science with PCM and computer as your main subjects. Opt for a bachelor’s degree in computer science, BTech, or BE. You may pursue higher education to complete a master’s program in MTech or MSc Computer Science. Or you may opt for certifications to enhance your knowledge.

2. Explore ethical hacking certifications: Certifications can open doors to high-paying jobs in the IT sector and various government organizations. Professional Certificate Programs in Cloud Computing and DevOps, AI-Powered Full Stack Development Courses, and Master of Design in User Experience are some certification courses you may opt for.

3. Practice skills: Practice the required skills to acquire knowledge in security systems and to boost your capabilities in critical and analytical thinking. Acquire knowledge in programming languages too. 

4. Gain experience: You can gain experience by applying for entry-level jobs like IT technicians and systems administrators. You may seek full-time ethical hacking roles or play a part in a broader cybersecurity domain.

5. Stay updated on the latest trends: Ethical hacking and cybersecurity are rapidly changing areas. Moreover, with cybercrimes evolving too quickly, it’s important to stay updated on the latest threats.

Skills Required for a Successful Ethical Hacking Career

Ethical hackers detect vulnerabilities to avoid situations where cybercriminals can exploit computer systems. With the constantly changing landscape of cybercrime and cyber criminals, new approaches and advanced tools are required to track threats. Hence, ethical hackers are required to stay abreast with new and dominant skills.

Below are some skills crucial for students and professionals to learn for a flourishing career in Ethical Hacking: 

• Networking skills: Proficiency in computer networking and computer systems is a skill that ethical hackers must have good know-how of.
• Programming languages: Skills in programming languages like Python, Javascript, C++, C, SQL, HTML, PHP, and Java are again crucial for an ethical hacker to be proficient in.
• UNIX/Linux skills: Know-how of UNIX/Linux-based operating systems is important to offer better security to computer systems as operating systems are generally based on the Linux kernel. Hence, learning UNIX/Linux is important to becoming a successful ethical hacker. 
• Encryption and cryptography:  Understanding encryption techniques and cryptography is another important skill for ethical hackers. A successful career in ethical hacking requires candidates to know cryptography.
• Certification: Certifications validate the skills and knowledge of ethical hackers, boosting their credibility and job prospects. Below are some best certifications that can be pursued for ethical hacking certifications:

1) Professional Certificate Program in Cloud Computing and DevOps

2) AI-Powered Full Stack Development Course 

3) Master of Design in User Experience

4) Analyzing Patterns in Data and Storytelling

upGrad’s Exclusive Software Development Webinar for you –

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Future Trends in Ethical Hacking Careers

As the world becomes more connected digitally, strong cybersecurity measures are gaining prominence like never before. The continuous need for cybersecurity to be a top priority for organizations globally ensures that ethical hacking as a career remains promising for years to come. 

The adoption of AI and ML technologies in ethical hacking is transforming industries. Ethical hackers are now expected to mobilize artificial intelligence to automate the scanning of vulnerabilities, forecast cyber threats, and suggest strategies to mitigate them.   

The growing reliance on cloud computing is increasing the new cybersecurity challenges thereby enhancing the demand for skilled professionals to secure cloud infrastructures. More and more companies are implementing multi-cloud strategies and are applying diverse security protocols to ensure their security. 

Further, the expansion of IoT devices and the role of ethical hackers in this domain is another significant trend to look for. Ethical hackers test IoT devices, secure industrial IoT, and prevent other attacks to ensure the safety of billions of connected devices.

All these and more are likely to shape the future of ethical hacking to make it a dynamic and versatile area of careers with abundant scope.

How upGrad can help you?

Looking at the huge demand for cybersecurity and ethical hacking professionals, the employment rate for these technologies is likely to surge through the next decade. At upGrad aspiring students and professionals willing to transition into this field can find rewarding courses and certifications in software engineering designed to support their educational and career aspirations in this domain. Here are some relevant online courses to explore for the best career options in Ethical Hacking:

• Professional Certificate Program in Cloud Computing and DevOps
• Fundamentals of Cybersecurity Free Courses
• Master of Design in User Experience
• Introduction to Data Analysis using Excel
• Analyzing Patterns in Data and Storytelling

Additionally, learners can avail of personalized career counseling and guidance at upGrad career support. Visit your nearest upGrad center for details. 

Also read: Top 10 Online Cybersecurity Courses for Career Advancement in 2025

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