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Overview
Ethical hacker work is about testing systems, networks and applications for security weaknesses through authorised vulnerability assessments, penetration tests and analysis of attack paths.
In job descriptions, look for ICT security risks, penetration testing, code review, social engineering tests, system configuration checks, vulnerability reports, risk management and communication with stakeholders.
Explore this occupation
Search jobsWhat the work can involve
Ethical hackers work inside authorised test scopes. They examine networks, applications, code and configurations, run penetration tests or social-engineering exercises, then turn findings into reports that security teams can fix and retest. The scope should show authorisation, evidence handling, severity rating and how remediation is verified.
Skills and specializations
The role draws on ICT infrastructure, network security risks, attack vectors, code review, computer forensics and risk management. Specializations can lean toward web applications, cloud platforms, red-team exercises, audit support or exploit development, but the work still depends on permission, evidence and clear reporting.
Salary context
Pay comparison should focus on test complexity, depth of technical exploitation, responsibility for client communication, audit exposure and whether the post owns remediation advice. A role covering critical infrastructure or advanced red-team planning normally has a different scope from routine scanning.
Career paths
Progress can lead to senior penetration testing, red-team lead, security architecture, incident response, forensic analysis or ICT audit. Strong development comes from repeatable methods, careful notes, responsible disclosure and the ability to explain risk to non-specialists.
Good to know
Check the rules of engagement in adverts: authorised scope, reporting format, tooling, access to production systems, handling of sensitive data and expectations after vulnerabilities are found. Titles such as pentester and vulnerability analyst may overlap.
Editorial note
This guide is editorial career context. It is not official labour-market statistics or role-specific salary data.
Where might this occupation occur?
This occupation may occur in several kinds of economic activity. Here are some examples and other occupations that may be found in the same areas.
Other information technology and computer service activities
This is one example. Other occupations in this activity include cybersecurity risk manager, chief ICT security officer and ICT resilience manager.
Explore this activityComputer programming activities
This occupation may also occur in this activity. Other occupations there include knowledge engineer, database administrator and data warehouse designer.
Explore this activityTechnical testing and analysis
Another possibility is this activity. Another occupation there is IT auditor.
Explore this activityThese examples offer an overview but do not show every economic activity where the occupation may occur.
About this information
The selection is based on how occupations are connected to economic activities in ESCO and NACE. Only a few examples are shown to make the information easier to use. The occupations were selected because they are close in occupation area and important skills. The examples are not a ranking. They do not show where most people work, where demand is highest, or which occupation is best suited to a particular person.
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O*NET relationships
See occupations connected to this ESCO occupation in the official O*NET–ESCO mapping. The relationship type comes from the source and is not a ranking or recommendation.
O*NET relationships: 1
Penetration Testers
15-1299.04
Exact relationship
The official mapping treats the O*NET and ESCO occupations as closely equivalent.
Open in O*NETSource and method
These relationships come from the official European Commission O*NET–ESCO crosswalk.
Relationship direction: O*NET occupation to ESCO occupation.
Several O*NET occupations can point to the same ESCO occupation, and one O*NET occupation can point to several ESCO occupations.
AltoTrail preserves the source relationship type. The order is technical and does not show which occupation is best, most relevant or recommended.
AltoTrail validates and presents the source relationships without adding ranking or recommendation semantics.
NACE Rev. 2.1
Economic activities linked to this occupation.
62.1Computer programming activities71.2Technical testing and analysis62.9Other information technology and computer service activities
Alternative labels
Occupation group
Database and network professionals not elsewhere classified (2529)
Source facts
| ESCO URI | http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/76ef0a87-6afe-4560-b5d0-9a086abe45c5 |
|---|---|
| ESCO code | 2529.4 |
| ISCO group | 2529 |
| Concept type | Occupation |