What is a primary function of an ethical hacker?

A primary function of an ethical hacker is to identify and mend vulnerabilities in a system under authorized conditions. Ethical hackers, often referred to as penetration testers or white-hat hackers, work with the explicit consent of an organization to assess the security of its systems, networks, and applications. Their goal is to uncover security weaknesses before malicious hackers can exploit them.

By performing controlled attack simulations, ethical hackers provide valuable insights into how security measures can be enhanced. This process often involves reporting the vulnerabilities discovered, providing recommendations for remediation, and facilitating a stronger security posture for the organization.

This approach is fundamentally different from illegal hacking activities, where individuals may seek unauthorized access to systems for malicious purposes. Ethical hackers operate within legal and ethical boundaries and collaborate with organizations to improve their security, rather than acting against their interests.