We care for your security

To identify vulnerabilities and test the robustness of systems, the ethical hacker uses a panoply of advanced techniques drawn from the world of hacking, but deployed within an ethical framework. These techniques cover the entire cycle of a potential attack, from the passive reconnaissance phase, which involves collecting public information on the target via tools such as Whois, Shodan or Maltego, to active reconnaissance, with port scanning, fingerprinting and service mapping. Next comes the identification of technical vulnerabilities, using scanners such as Nmap, Nessus or Burp Suite, then the exploitation phase, where the professional seeks to exploit the identified flaws via frameworks such as Metasploit, the Impacket suite or customized scripts. Logical attacks can also be used, such as SQL injection, XSS attacks, request forgery (CSRF, SSRF), session mismanagement or elevation of privileges. Social engineering is also used, notably to test human resistance via phishing campaigns or pretexting scenarios. The ethical hacker even goes so far as to document all his or her actions, in order to produce a comprehensive and educational report for the organization, highlighting vulnerabilities, possible compromise scenarios, associated risks and remediation recommendations.

The business of ethical hacking falls within a strict regulatory and standards framework, designed to provide a framework for practices and guarantee irreproachable ethics. Several international standards define best practice in penetration testing and offensive security. Among them, the PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard) establishes a comprehensive methodology covering preparation, recognition, exploitation, post-exploitation and restitution. The OWASP, meanwhile, provides specific guides for web applications, such as the famous Top 10 vulnerabilities, widely used for application testing. ISO/IEC 27001 is the benchmark for information security management systems, while ISO/IEC 27002 details the security measures to be implemented. Professional certifications play a key role in the recognition of offensive cybersecurity skills. Among the most highly-regarded today by professionals in the field are those offered by Altered Security (such as the CRTP, focused on Active Directory pentesting, or the CRTE, red team lab-oriented), as well as those of Certified Secure, notably the CRTO (Certified Red Team Operator), widely recognized for its technicality and its anchoring in realistic scenarios. These certifications attest to a high level of competence, ethical commitment and ability to operate in a variety of contexts. They are often required in invitations to tender or on critical projects to validate the qualifications of participants.

Ethical hackers work on the basis of contractual trust, where technical rigor must go hand in hand with irreproachable probity. He is bound by strict obligations of confidentiality, respect for data, non-disclosure of sensitive information and non-execution of malicious code outside the scope of authorized use. He must always take care to limit the impact of his actions, to avoid disrupting the company’s critical services, to inform immediately of any major flaw discovered, and to scrupulously respect the scope of the mission defined upstream. This professional ethic is at the heart of the hacker’s legitimacy and credibility with companies. The ethical hacker is also a knowledge broker, helping to raise the level of vigilance of in-house teams, reinforce the security culture, and disseminate secure development practices. His expertise contributes to the emergence of a more anticipatory cybersecurity approach, less dependent on technical solutions and more rooted in a detailed understanding of attack mechanisms. Its role is as much technical as it is strategic, in the service of a more resilient digital ecosystem, capable of dealing with attacks swiftly, discerningly and effectively.