Salary Range
$50,000 to $100,000+Overview
Professional hackers break into an organization’s computer systems and networks, with permission, to determine if they are vulnerable to cyber criminals and spies. They are also known as ethical hackers, penetration testers, and white hat hackers (after the good guys in old Westerns who typically wore white hats versus the bad guys in black hats). Approximately 82,900 information security analysts are employed in the United States; professional hackers comprise a small percentage of this total.
Minimum Education Level
Bachelor's DegreeCertification/License
RecommendedOutlook
Much Faster than the AveragePersonality Traits
Hands On
Problem-Solving
Technical
Career Ladder
Internet Security Consultant or Chief Information Security Officer
Internet Security Manager
Professional Hacker
Intern
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