Ethical hacker
Career outlook for ethical hacker
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
£44,720
Currently employed in Scotland
26,100
Average UK salary
£44,720
Currently employed in Scotland
26,100
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures.
Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You’d be employed to protect networks and computers from attacks from unethical hackers, who illegally access computers with the intention of accessing confidential information.
Delivering security testing using advanced software, you’d attempt to ‘penetrate’ a company’s systems in much the same way as a hacker – with the goal of uncovering any weak areas in the system.
You would:
- Find and suggest patches for weaknesses in the system
- Ensure that the system is firewalled
- Put security protocols in place
Conducting advanced penetration tests, you’d need to be familiar with the company’s infrastructure and would have the ability to assess the risks to the organisation, inserting measures to control vulnerable areas.
By simulating breaches to network security and developing measures to lock down risks, you'd ensure that confidential, financial or reputational damage information wouldn't fall into the wrong hands.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
87%
Part-time
4%
Self employed
9%
Create a qualification route
We’ve found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.
Discover my routeTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Working with technology
- Written communication
- Problem solving
- Observation
- Researching
- Attention to detail
- Taking initiative
- Ethical
- Taking responsibility
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Use the Skills Explorer toolGetting in
Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you’ll need.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.
Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Qualifications
There are different routes to this role or similar roles in cybersecurity. You'll need the ability to identify, assess and deal with complex information security risks. You'll also need to build relevant experience and qualifications to demonstrate this.
You can gain skills and qualifications in the work place through options such as Modern Apprenticeships or Graduate Apprenticeships (combining work and college/university study) in:
- Information Security (SCQF level 6 / SCQF 8)
- Cyber Security (SCQF 10 / SCQF 11)
Apprenticeships are advertised as job vacancies and, like any vacancy, entry requirements will vary. Relevant experience and qualifications, such as National 5s or Highers, will be helpful but may not be essential if you can show you would be the right person for the job.
Useful subjects
- Maths or Physics (required by most courses, valued by employers)
- Computer Science or Information Systems (required by most courses, valued by employers)
- Other science subjects
- English and Social studies subjects, such as business management, geography or psychology (valued by employers)
You will also need
To be able to pass any security checks or assessments, i.e. no criminal record.
This is a quickly evolving and expanding area of work, so on-going training will be needed.
Industry recognised certificates in ethical hacking or cyber security may be included as part of a course or work-base learning programme or an employer may be willing to support the right employee to gain certification.
Examples of relevant industry qualifications you may see in job adverts include:
- Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
- Global Information Assurance Certificate (GIAC)
Helpful to have
Any qualifications or experience that show a genuine interest in and practical understanding of technology, business ethics and security, such as a Foundation Apprenticeship in IT: Software Development (SCQF level 6), Cyber Security Fundamentals Award (SCQF level 4) or Cyber Security National Progression Award (NPA SCQF 4, 5, and 6).
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