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Ethical hackers — also called penetration testers — are paid to find security vulnerabilities before criminals do. It’s one of the most in-demand and highest-paying cybersecurity roles in South Africa right now.
Ethical hacking (or penetration testing) involves legally attempting to break into a system, network, or application to identify security weaknesses. Companies hire ethical hackers to test their defences before real attackers exploit them.
Unlike criminal hacking, ethical hacking is done with explicit written permission from the target organisation. The hacker documents everything they find and reports it so the organisation can fix it.
Legal note: Hacking a system without written authorisation is a criminal offence in South Africa under the Cybercrimes Act (Act 19 of 2020). Ethical hacking always requires a formal scope of work and permission.
Penetration testing is not an entry-level role. You need a solid foundation in networking, operating systems, and security concepts before specialising in offensive security.
| Stage | Certifications |
|---|---|
| Foundation | CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ |
| Security Basics | CompTIA Security+ |
| Penetration Testing Entry | CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), CompTIA PenTest+ |
| Advanced | OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) |
| Level | Annual Salary (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| Junior Penetration Tester | R280,000 – R420,000 |
| Mid-Level Penetration Tester | R420,000 – R650,000 |
| Senior Penetration Tester | R650,000 – R950,000 |
| Red Team Lead / Security Consultant | R900,000 – R1,400,000 |
Live 1-on-1 online cybersecurity training in CompTIA and Cisco. Build the foundation for an ethical hacking career.
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