NEWS

60% of white hackers view hacking as a career, and 61% are involved in learning and developing hacking tools with generative AI

A new report from HackerOne reveals that enterprises still view white-hat hackers with suspicion, even though they play a vital role in ensuring cyber security. The report states that 52% of cybersecurity professionals would rather accept the existence of undiscovered vulnerabilities than work with hackers. Furthermore, 60% of professionals believe that ethical hackers cannot be fully trusted. The lack of a clear channel for organizations to disclose vulnerabilities is cited as a major reason why hackers do not report the vulnerabilities they discover.

However, companies that follow best practices for disclosing security flaws benefit from collaborating with white hat hackers. Three-quarters of HackerOne customers say hackers have helped them avoid significant cybersecurity incidents. With the average cost of a data breach reaching $4.45 million, accepting the existence of vulnerabilities and allowing ethical hackers to test systems can build trust with customers and stakeholders and reduce the likelihood of costly security breaches.

Despite the challenges, hacking as a profession continues to gain popularity. The report states that 60% of hackers consider hacking a career, up from 41% the previous year. Additionally, 61% are involved in learning and developing hacking tools with generative artificial intelligence to more effectively uncover vulnerabilities.

Chris Evans, chief information security officer at HackerOne, says that while cybercriminals are causing significant damage, the majority of individuals engaging in hacking are law-abiding citizens seeking to make the Internet safer and earn a living. It is critical for organizations to overcome the stigma associated with hackers and provide clear channels for disclosing vulnerabilities. This will enable collaboration between white-hat hackers and companies, leading to improved cybersecurity measures.

In conclusion, despite the growing risks in the digital space, enterprises still view white hat hackers with suspicion. The lack of trust between organisations and hackers prevents companies from obtaining important information and exposes them to more risks. However, companies that follow vulnerability disclosure best practices benefit from collaborating with ethical hackers. Hacking as a profession continues to evolve, with hackers dedicating themselves to further developing their skills. It is essential that organisations bridge the trust gap and establish clear channels for vulnerability disclosure to improve cyber security measures overall.

Many companies claim to be using AI, but most are still in the early stages of deployment

According to a recent study conducted by edX, nearly half of the skills that today’s employees possess will not be relevant in just two years. This prediction is based on the opinions of 800 managers and 800 employees. The executives surveyed believe that 49% of the skills their managed employees currently possess will be obsolete by 2025. Additionally, 47% of these executives do not believe their employees are sufficiently prepared for the future workplace.

This finding isn’t surprising from an education platform provider, but what stands out is the short time horizon for skills obsolescence. Executives participating in the survey also believe that over the next five years, more than half (56%) of core knowledge worker roles will be eliminated due to the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence.

According to the survey, 79% of executives believe entry-level jobs will cease to exist as AI technology creates new roles for employees. Additionally, 56% of respondents believe their own jobs will be fully or partially replaced by AI. However, some industry leaders are skeptical of these predictions, suggesting that the immediate impact of AI on career goals will be minimal.

Richard Jefts, CEO at HCL Software, believes AI will redefine jobs and career prospects, but the exact impact on employees and their duties is uncertain. Frederico Braga, head of digital at Debiopharm, adds that it is difficult to predict when and where this shift will occur. The full impact of AI on the workforce remains to be seen, with opinions varying on the extent of its impact.

The tech industry has experienced a significant downturn in the past year, with over 400,000 job losses reported in 2022 and 2023, according to Layoffs.fyi. This has created a challenging job market for tech professionals, who are now competing for fewer positions with lower wages and limited opportunities for promotion. The IT sector has lost about 2.5% of its jobs in the past year, leading to increased job insecurity and longer tenures in current roles.

Major tech companies, including Meta, Google, and Amazon, have implemented extensive job cuts and hiring freezes. Although some laid-off workers have been rehired, such cases are rare and do not significantly offset the overall job losses. The layoffs are a consequence of the rapid growth experienced in 2020, when companies hired more employees than they could sustain.

The continuous decline in the tech job market has sparked anxiety among job seekers, prompting them to be more assertive in their search. This was evident at the Grace Hopper Celebration, an annual conference and career fair for women and nonbinary tech workers, where men flocked to the job fair in large numbers. The desperation to secure employment was palpable, with attendees running to the fair while being urged to slow down by event staff.

The tough job market has taken a toll on individuals like Carrie Groszewski, a computer science and economics student at Vanderbilt University. Despite following the recommended advice to gain experience through personal projects, internships, and club involvement, Groszewski feels discouraged as she approaches graduation without a job offer. Similarly, Nia McSwain, who hopes to transition from the hospitality sector to technology as a project manager, spends hours each day applying for approximately 40 positions. Although their efforts yield some interviews, securing a role remains challenging.

Tech professionals like full stack engineer Philip John Basil have been actively networking through platforms like LinkedIn and Discord in hopes of securing a contract. While he has had numerous interviews, he has yet to secure a position. The highly competitive job market has heightened job seekers’ determination and reliance on networking to increase their chances of finding employment.

Overall, the tech industry is facing a difficult job market characterized by job losses, hiring freezes, and increased competition for fewer positions. Job seekers are grappling with longer tenures in current roles, limited promotion opportunities, and lower wages in certain sectors. The desperation to secure employment has been evident at career fairs and conferences, with individuals going to great lengths to stand out among the competition. Despite their efforts, many remain discouraged and uncertain about their future in the industry.