How to Hire a White Hat Hacker: 13 Steps for Cybersecurity Against Cyberattacks

According to recent cybersecurity reports, over 70% of Vietnamese businesses have faced cyberattacks such as phishing, DDoS, or data breaches. It is worth noting that many incidents could be detected early and prevented if businesses knew how to properly hire ethical hackers.

This article helps you understand how to hire ethical hackers safely and legally, where to find them, how to assess their capabilities, and what to hire them for effectively. Whether you are a small business owner, a startup, or an IT manager, you will quickly grasp how to use security experts to check for vulnerabilities, prevent DDoS attacks, stop phishing scams, and protect your systems before incidents occur. The goal is to reduce risks – save costs – increase reliability, with practical options suitable for the Vietnamese market.

Part 1: How to choose an ethical hacker that meets your needs

Step 1: Assess the risks of not hiring an ethical hacker

Identify the risks when systems are not properly protected

• Many businesses try to cut costs by relying solely on their existing internal IT teams.

• However, not all IT teams are specialized enough in cybersecurity to detect sophisticated attacks such as DDoS, phishing, or zero-day exploits.

• Just one successful attack can lead to data loss, business disruption, and severe damage to brand reputation.

Remediation costs are always higher than prevention costs

• Evidence shows that the average cost to handle a data breach can be up to approximately 4 million USD, including system recovery, compensation, legal handling, and crisis communication.

• For small and medium-sized businesses, this figure can be a fatal financial blow.

Hiring an ethical hacker is like buying cybersecurity insurance

• Ethical hackers help to identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and fortify systems before an attack occurs.

• The cost of hiring an ethical hacker is often much lower than the cost of recovery after an incident.

• More importantly, you gain peace of mind, proactiveness, and risk control, instead of chasing crisis management.

Practical actions for businesses

• View hiring an ethical hacker as part of a long-term security strategy, not an additional cost.

• Combine your internal IT team with independent security experts to ensure the system is always checked from a real-world attack perspective.

• Proactive protection today will help businesses save significantly in the future and maintain customer trust.

Step 2: Define your business's cybersecurity needs

Clearly define objectives before hiring a security expert

• Don't just generally state that your business needs to enhance system security.

• Clearly define what problem you are hiring a cybersecurity expert to solve: attack prevention, vulnerability testing, or addressing existing risks.

• This helps avoid hiring the wrong person and wasting budget.

Create a "mission statement" for the position you need to hire

• Draft a concise description outlining the objectives of hiring an ethical hacker or cybersecurity expert.

• Answer the following questions:

  • Which systems need to be audited?

  • What are the biggest risks your business faces?

  • What are the desired outcomes after hiring?

Identify specific risks based on business model

• Financial businesses often need:

  • Protection against content forgery, social engineering fraud

  • Protection of customer data and transactions

• E-commerce applications or online shopping often face:

  • Credit card information theft risks

  • Payment vulnerabilities and user data breaches

Use the job description as a "reverse cover letter" to screen candidates

• This document helps both attract the right security experts and filter out inexperienced candidates.

• Clearly state:

  • Required cybersecurity experience

  • Types of systems previously handled

  • Relevant penetration testing or risk assessment skills

Practical benefits for businesses

• Save time in selection

• Increase the likelihood of hiring the right ethical hacker with suitable expertise

• Proactively control cybersecurity risks from the outset

Step 3: Prepare the budget when hiring an ethical hacker

Understand the true value of ethical hackers

• Hiring an ethical hacker is a smart decision, but not a cheap option.

• According to international market standards, the average income of an ethical hacker is typically from 70,000 USD/year or more, depending on experience and expertise.

• This cost accurately reflects the responsibility and value of system protection they provide.

View hiring costs as an investment, not an expense

• The job of an ethical hacker is to find vulnerabilities before bad actors exploit them, helping businesses avoid significant losses.

• The amount paid to a security expert is always much less than the damage caused by data breaches, system downtime, or loss of brand reputation.

Compare risks to make realistic decisions

• Paying a higher salary than expected:

  • Is just a short-term financial pressure

• Being attacked in the core IT system:

  • Can cause revenue loss, customer loss, and prolonged remediation costs

Suggested actions for businesses

• Determine an appropriate budget before hiring an ethical hacker

• Prioritize practical capabilities and cybersecurity experience, not just low prices

• Consider this a mandatory investment if the business relies on digital systems for profit generation

Step 4: Hire ethical hackers on a project basis

Not necessarily full-time employment

• For many businesses, hiring ethical hackers for specific tasks is sufficient and more effective.

• Instead of bringing them on as long-term staff, you can hire them for short-term projects to address specific, immediate issues.

Clearly define the scope of work from the outset

• In the objective statement you've created, clearly state what you need a security expert for, such as:

  • External penetration testing

  • Reviewing and patching system vulnerabilities

  • Rewriting or upgrading security software

• This approach helps you pay a one-time project fee, instead of incurring fixed monthly salary costs.

Suitable for freelancers and newly certified professionals

• Short-term projects are very suitable for:

  • Freelance ethical hackers

  • Security experts who have newly completed certifications but have practical skills

• Businesses can still access necessary expertise without long-term commitments.

Retain good talent for future needs

• If satisfied with the results, you can absolutely:

  • Invite them to participate in subsequent security projects

  • Build a long-term collaborative relationship as needed

• This helps businesses be flexible, save costs, and still maintain the necessary level of cybersecurity.

Part 2: Finding reputable ethical hackers for security testing

Step 1: Prioritize candidates with CEH certification

Choose ethical hackers with clear certifications

• When looking for ethical hackers, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is a top priority.

• CEH is specifically designed to train and validate the competence of cybersecurity professionals working legally and ethically.

• A CEH-certified candidate demonstrates that they are properly trained, not self-taught without oversight.

Reduced risk in verifying professional competence

• Hacking skills are difficult to verify through words or a CV alone.

• Therefore, security candidates need to be assessed as rigorously as any other critical position in the company.

• The CEH certification acts as a third-party verification of competence, giving you more peace of mind when granting system access.

Avoid hiring uncertified individuals

• Do not hire anyone who cannot provide valid CEH certification proof.

• Without verification from a reputable organization, the legal and system security risks are very high.

• A wrong hiring decision can open the company to internal threats.

Practical tips for businesses

• Always request a copy of the CEH certification when hiring a white hat hacker

• Combine certification with real-world cybersecurity scenario interviews

• Prioritize candidates who have both certification and experience in real project implementation

Step 2: Find white hat hackers through reputable platforms

Prioritize specialized white hat hacker marketplaces

• Instead of scattered searches, you can browse specialized recruitment platforms for ethical hackers.

• These platforms operate similarly to familiar job boards, but focus solely on cybersecurity.

• This is an accessible option for companies accustomed to traditional recruitment processes.

How white hat hacker marketplaces work

• Security professionals post their profiles, experience, and specialized skills

• Companies post their needs for hiring white hat hackers on a project or contract basis

• Both parties connect directly, with transparency regarding scope of work and costs

Major advantages in legality and safety

• These marketplaces only allow legally operating hackers with clear verified backgrounds.

• This helps companies:

  • Reduce the risk of hiring unqualified individuals

  • Avoid legal issues related to system access

  • Feel confident in entrusting critical security tasks

Who is this suitable for?

• Companies without an existing network of cybersecurity experts

• Companies needing to hire white hat hackers quickly for specific projects

• Organizations wanting to compare multiple candidates before making a decision

Practical tips for using marketplaces

• Carefully check profiles, evaluations, and past projects

• Prioritize candidates with relevant security certifications and experience

• Start with a small project to assess capabilities before long-term collaboration

Step 3: Organize a hacking competition to recruit white hat hackers

Use simulated competitions to find truly skilled individuals

• Many companies are starting to organize simulated hacking competitions to attract potential white hat hackers.

• This format is like a competitive game, placing candidates in realistic attack-defense scenarios.

• Through this, you can assess overall capability, speed of thought, and decision-making ability under pressure.

Design tests that are close to real-world systems

• You can have your internal technical team develop:

  • Puzzles based on common IT systems

  • Scenarios exploiting common vulnerabilities

• Or choose to purchase professional hacking simulations from a third party to save time and ensure accuracy.

Recruit directly from competition results

• The winners or best-performing teams are often:

  • White hat hackers with practical skills

  • Suitable for penetration testing projects or security consulting

• This is a way to select individuals based on actual ability, not just their CV or recommendations.

Alternative solutions if unable to organize yourself

• If building a competition yourself is too time-consuming or costly, companies can:

  • Contact those who have won awards in international cybersecurity competitions like Global Cyberlympics

• These candidates have often had their skills verified in highly competitive environments.

Real benefits for businesses

• Attract high-quality white hat hackers

• Assess skills in conditions close to real attacks

• Increase the likelihood of hiring the right cybersecurity expert from the start

Step 4: Train internal staff to become white hat hackers

Keep critical security capabilities within the company

• If not looking to outsource, companies can train their current IT employees to take on the role of defending against cyberattacks.

• Anyone can participate in EC-Council's training program to obtain the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification.

• This approach helps companies actively control their systems, reducing reliance on third parties.

Skills staff will be trained in

• Performing penetration testing

• Detecting vulnerabilities in internal systems

• Assessing risks and simulating real-world attack scenarios

• Applying white hat hacker techniques to find "leakage points" before they are exploited

CEH course structure to be aware of

• Duration:

  • 5 days of intensive practical training

• Final exam:

  • 4-hour comprehensive exam

  • Requires a minimum score of 70% to pass

• Learning format focuses on practical application and real-world scenarios, not just theory

Training costs to prepare for

• CEH exam fee: approximately 500 USD

• Additional fees for self-study: approximately 100 USD

• Compared to the cost of hiring a white hat hacker long-term, this is a reasonable investment for companies seeking to build sustainable capabilities

When to choose this option

• Companies with a stable and long-term IT team

• Systems needing regular checks

• Desiring to build cybersecurity capabilities internally, rather than passively dealing with incidents

Part 3: Hiring legal hackers to protect your business

Step 1: Background check when hiring white hat hackers

Thorough verification before granting system access

• Before signing a contract or onboarding, a comprehensive background check is necessary for all cybersecurity candidates.

• Submit information to the HR department or an independent verification unit to confirm:

  • Identity, work history

  • Legal history and adherence to professional ethics

Pay special attention to technology-related offenses

• Prioritize reviewing criminal records, especially for actions such as:

  • Unauthorized cyberattacks

  • Online fraud, data theft

• Any signs of illegal activity appearing in the check results are a serious warning, potentially even grounds for immediate disqualification.

Do not trade trust for experience

• Even if a candidate has high skills or extensive experience, a lack of trustworthiness is unacceptable.

• White hat hackers are often granted deep access to systems, so insider risk always needs to be a top priority.

Practical approach for businesses

• Apply strict background check standards like other sensitive positions

• Combine legal checks with professional ethics assessment

• Only collaborate when both professional competence and personal trustworthiness are sufficient

Step 2: In-depth interview when hiring a white hat hacker

Thoroughly prepare interview content before meeting candidates

• Once a candidate passes the background check, conduct direct, in-depth interviews.

• It is advisable to have an IT manager and an HR representative participate to assess both professional expertise and work attitude.

• Prepare a list of questions focusing on practical experience, avoiding rambling.

Key questions to focus on

• How did the candidate get into ethical hacking?

• Have they ever undertaken any security projects or paid work?

• What tools do they typically use to detect and address cybersecurity threats?

• If the system were attacked from the outside, how would they protect and respond?

• Prioritize situational questions to assess defensive thinking and decision-making.

Meet in person to assess trustworthiness

• It is advisable to conduct in-person interviews, not just over the phone or email.

• Meeting in person helps you observe:

  • Communication style

  • Level of transparency in answers

  • Attitude towards responsibility and security

• This is a very important factor when hiring white hat hackers, as they will have access to sensitive systems.

Re-interview if still in doubt

• If you still have concerns, then:

  • Arrange an additional interview with another member of the management team

  • Compare assessments to get a more objective perspective

• Hiring the wrong person for a cybersecurity position can have far greater consequences than spending more time on recruitment.

Principles to remember

• Strong skills are necessary

• But trustworthiness, ethical mindset, and ability to explain clearly determine whether long-term collaboration is worthwhile

Step 3: Integrate white hat hackers with the development team

Shift focus from incident response to attack prevention

• With a cybersecurity expert on board, the IT team's top priority should be preventing attacks early, not waiting for incidents to fix them.

• White hat hackers help businesses view the system from an attacker's perspective, thereby patching vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

Work closely with the product development team

• Arrange for the white hat hacker to collaborate directly with the programming and product development team.

• Through this process, the internal team will learn:

  • How to write more secure code

  • More thorough testing procedures

  • Methods for early detection of security risks right from the design phase

Security testing for each new feature

• Whenever a new feature is launched, the white hat hacker needs to:

  • Review for potential weaknesses

  • Simulate common attack scenarios

• This might slow down development slightly, but it results in a much more stable and secure system.

Long-term benefits for businesses

• Reduce the risk of fraud and unauthorized intrusions

• Minimize future incident response costs

• Enhance product quality and user trust

Practical principles to remember

• Rapid development without security will come at a high cost

• Slightly slower development, but with a white hat hacker alongside, will help businesses be more sustainable and secure in the long run

Step 4: Understand the impact of cybersecurity on your business

Actively acquire knowledge instead of leaving it all to experts

• When working with white hat hackers, don't just assign tasks and wait for results.

• Leverage the cybersecurity expert's practical experience to understand common attack tactics like phishing, social engineering, and exploiting system vulnerabilities.

• When you understand how hackers plan and execute attacks, you will quickly recognize risk signs before an incident occurs.

Require regular, clear security reports

• Request the white hat hacker to send detailed, regular reports on:

  • Vulnerabilities discovered

  • Risk level of each issue

  • Remediation recommendations

• This provides a basis for leadership to properly understand the cybersecurity status, avoiding emotional decisions.

Analyze results with the internal IT team

• Do not let security reports sit idle in emails.

• Work with the IT team to:

  • Review the white hat hacker's findings

  • Discuss appropriate remediation methods for the current system

• This helps to enhance internal capabilities and reduce long-term dependence on external parties.

Request clear explanations of implemented measures

• Encourage security experts to explain why each measure needs to be applied, instead of just "getting it done."

• When the purpose and protection mechanism are clearly understood, the business will:

  • Easily monitor effectiveness

  • Make better decisions for subsequent steps

  • Avoid implementing costly but unnecessary solutions

Practical value for businesses

• Leaders properly understand cybersecurity risks

• IT team enhances awareness and defensive skills

• Businesses shift from reactive to proactive attack prevention

Step 5: Strictly monitor the hired white hat hacker

Always maintain internal monitoring mechanisms

• Even though white hat hackers work legally, businesses still need to closely monitor security activities.

• Require the internal IT team to regularly:

  • Check system status

  • Detect newly emerging vulnerabilities

• The goal is to protect the business in all situations, without complacency.

Be aware of insider risks

• Cybersecurity threats do not only come from external hackers.

• Uncontrolled deep access by security experts can become an insider risk.

• Businesses need to apply the principle of:

  • Clear authorization

  • Comprehensive logging

  • Do not grant absolute authority to a single individual

Be wary of signs of lack of transparency

• A professional white hat hacker needs to:

  • Clearly explain the work plan

  • Present testing methods and defensive measures

• Evasiveness or unwillingness to explain can be a warning sign that needs attention.

Be prepared to terminate cooperation when necessary

• If there is evidence that the outsourced expert:

  • Harms the system

  • Deviates from the scope of work

  • Violates confidentiality principles

• The company should immediately terminate the cooperation, without hesitation due to cost or schedule.

Key principles to remember

• Trust is necessary

• But monitoring is the factor that protects the business long-term

Important notes when hiring white hat hackers

Cybersecurity is a matter of survival for every business

• In the digital age, from large financial corporations to small startups are at risk of cyberattacks.

• Even a single incident of fraud, data leakage, or system intrusion can cause significant financial and reputational damage.

Consider purchasing cybersecurity insurance

• Cybersecurity insurance helps businesses:

  • Minimize financial damage in case of an incident

  • Have resources for quick recovery after fraud, attacks, or data breaches

• This is an additional layer of protection, not a substitute for hiring white hat hackers, but it is essential for businesses that rely on digital systems.

Carefully choose channels for finding white hat hackers

• Some online communities like technology forums can be places where white hat hackers share expertise.

• However, when posting job openings or approaching candidates from open platforms, businesses need to:

  • Verify skills and certifications

  • Check background and professional ethics

• Do not skip the screening step for speed or cost.

Avoid high-risk individuals

• Do not hire:

  • Hackers without certifications, whose identities cannot be verified

  • Individuals with extreme political or religious views that could lead to conflicts of interest

  • "Hacktivist" groups who often use their skills for personal gain or to cause harm

• These individuals could abuse system access privileges for malicious purposes.

Notes on corporate image and reputation

• Cooperating with hackers, even white hat hackers, can lead to:

  • Misunderstandings from partners or customers if transparency is lacking

• Businesses should:

  • Clearly communicate that this is a legitimate security activity, risk prevention

  • Sign contracts and establish transparent work procedures

Principles to remember

• Cybersecurity is a mandatory investment

• Hiring white hat hackers must be accompanied by clear procedures, certifications, and controls

• Protecting the system well also means protecting the trust of customers and partners

References

1. https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8231-small-business-cybersecurity-guide.html
2. https://www.esecurityplanet.com/hackers/how-to-hire-an-ethical-hacker.html
3. https://www.tomsitpro.com/articles/white-hat-hacker-career,1-1151.html
4. https://cert.eccouncil.org/certified-ethical-hacker.html
5. https://www.recruiter.com/i/how-to-hire-an-ethical-hacker/
6. https://www.fastcompany.com/3026749/not-your-typical-hackathon-symantecs-cyberwar-simulation-transforms-employees-into-criminals
7. https://www.cyberlympics.org/
8. https://www.eccouncil.org/programs/certified-ethical-hacker-ceh/
9. https://www.eccouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/cehv9-brochure.pdf
10. https://www.esecurityplanet.com/hackers/how-to-hire-an-ethical-hacker.html
11. https://www.infosecinstitute.com/resources/ceh/top-10-ethical-hacking-interview-questions/

Translation: Rene Lee Nguyen.