DO COMPANIES TRUST WHITE HAT HACKERS?

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.