PlexTrac ConceptsEthical Hacking

Ethical hacking is a security practice in which an organization hires a security expert to apply hacking tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) in its environment. The goal is to simulate real-world attacks to discover weaknesses in their systems, networks, or applications. Once completed, the ethical hacker presents the identified vulnerabilities and security gaps so the organization can fix them before exploitation.

Ethical hacking is important because new malware, viruses, and ransomware attacks are multiplying daily, increasing the need for organizations to leverage a proactive security approach. Through ethical hacking, organizations can see the results of a simulated attack and address security gaps, vulnerabilities, and attack paths that could be exploited by malicious attackers. Rather than finding out through a real cyberattack, organizations can proactively prevent a breach, protect their sensitive information, and meet compliance requirements.

The benefits of ethical hacking include:

• Implementing proactive, offensive security measures based on real-world attacks.
• Discovering vulnerabilities and attack paths that threat actors could exploit.
• Preventing data breaches and minimizing potential risks.
• Complying with regulations by mitigating these risks early on. 
• Reducing the cost and potential damage of a successful data breach. 

Ethical hacking and penetration testing are often conflated as they both involve simulated cyberattacks. However, the difference between ethical hacking and penetration testing is that ethical hacking focuses on a broad scope potentially using various techniques, whereas penetration testing examines specific systems, networks, and applications following a more structured procedure. Ethical hacking may include pentests in their scope.

Even still, they are very similar and both are used to proactively discover vulnerabilities within an organization to strengthen their security posture. 

Different types of ethical hacking may include:

• Web application hacking
• System hacking
• Web server hacking
• Wireless network hacking
• Social engineering
• Mobile hacking
• Physical hacking
• Cloud security hacking

Hackers typically fall into one of these three areas:

1. White Hat: Ethical hackers who help organizations find vulnerabilities and strengthen their defenses.
2. Black Hat: Unethical hackers who work to disrupt operations and steal or destroy sensitive data for their gain.
3. Grey Hat: A mix of white and black hat hackers who don’t have permission to hack systems, but they may demand payment for uncovering vulnerabilities or share their findings publicly unless paid despite not being hired to do so. 

Learn more about the differences between black, white, and gray hats as well as other types of hackers in our blog.

PlexTrac helps ethical hackers aggregate their findings and report to their clients quickly and efficiently. PlexTrac is the #1 platform for automating reporting with AI, ingesting data from various tools and scanners, and effectively prioritizing risk.

Learn more by booking a demo today.

AI in Cybersecurity
Attack Surface Management (ASM)
Automated Pentesting
Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS)
Manual Pentesting
Network Penetration Testing
Proactive Security
Offensive Security
Penetration Testing As a Service
Ransomware
Red Teaming
Vulnerability Management

Black, White, and Gray Hats in Cybersecurity

How To Become A Penetration Tester

Detection and Exploitation Phases: This Is Where the Fun Begins!

Vulnerability Assessment vs Penetration Testing: Understanding the Key Differences

What is Red Teaming in Cyber Security

Going on the Offensive