The average salary of an ethical hacker in India is a much-discussed topic among young students and aspirants. An ethical hacker or a security specialist is a person who has a deep understanding of the technology systems and knows how to use them in the right way. They are also known as white hat hackers. Ethical hackers work to keep the information secure, protect data from malicious users and prevent attacks on the system. Ethical hackers are mainly hired by organizations such as banks, financial institutions, government bodies, technology companies, etc., to secure their networks from malicious attacks and ensure that their data remains safe.
The ethical hacker's salary in India depends on their area of specialization, experience level and several other factors. In this article, we will discuss the ethical hacker salary in India considering all factors that influence them.
Ethical Hacker Salary Structure in India [2024]
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification salary in India is a very attractive career option for many people, especially those looking for a computer and information security job. This section will help you understand what the certified ethical hacker salary is and how much money you can earn by becoming one.
The average salary of an ethical hacker in India is around Rs. 5.2 LPA. However, this depends on where you work and what kind of company you are working for. For example, if you work with a small company or startup, your ethical hacker salary in India per month will be lower than if you worked for an established company like Google or Microsoft.
If you want to know more about how much money ethical hackers make in India and worldwide, then keep reading this article. Want to acquire skills that are most demandable? Check out Cyber Security training to get the highest salary of an ethical hacker in India out there!
| Per Hour | ₹600 |
| Per Year | ₹777K |
Source: PayscaleCertified Ethical Hacker Salary in India: Based on Location
If you're thinking about becoming an ethical hacker, then you're probably wondering how much money you can expect to make.
Ethical hackers are in high demand, and the ethical hacking jobs salary in India varies widely depending on location. In this section, we'll explore the average salary of ethical hackers in India's biggest cities.
| Location | Average Salary (INR) | Percentage |
|---|
| Bangalore | 4.54 LPA | 10% less than average |
| Pune | 3.97 LPA | 21% less than average |
| Chennai | 5.5 LPA | Average |
| Hyderabad | 7.5 LPA | 49% more than average |
| Mumbai | 3.95 LPA | 21% less than average |
| Noida | 5 - 12 LPA | Average |
| New Delhi | 6 LPA | 19% more than average |
Ethical Hacker Salary Based on Companies in India
Being an ethical hacker is a dream job for many. You get to work with some of the best companies in India and have the opportunity to make a significant difference in the world. However, many people want to become ethical hackers but do not know how much they will be paid or the relevant experience they need before they can get employed by these companies.
This section will discuss how much you can expect to make as an ethical hacker based on the company you work for.
| Company | Average Ethical Hacker Salary in India [Lakh per annum] |
|---|
| TCS | 5.54 |
| Accenture | 7.2 |
| Tech Mahindra | 15.6 |
| HCL Technologies | 6.7 |
| Infosys | 4.0 |
| Capgemini | 3 - 4 |
| Wipro | 3.82 |
| Microsoft | 8.59 |
| IBM | 5.4 |
| Google | 5.29 |
| Amazon | 6.1 |
Ethical Hacker Pay Scale Based on Experience in India
The ethical hacking jobs salary in India is based on experience, but the starting range is Rs. 5.2 LPA.
A career in ethical hacking is an exciting opportunity to use your skills and talents to help people and companies secure their data and networks. Large companies often employ ethical hackers who need help with cybersecurity but can also work as independent contractors.
This section will discuss how much you could earn in this exciting career field based on experience.
| Experience | Salary ( INR ) |
|---|
| Less Than 1 year | 4.9 LPA |
| 1 - 4 years | 7.5 LPA |
| 5 - 9 years | 27.4 LPA |
| 10 - 19 years | 84 LPA |
Ethical Hacker Salary in India Based on Job Titles
The average salary of ethical hackers in India also varies depending on the job title. The tech industry is booming in India, and it's a great place to find work. But if you're looking for a position as an ethical hacker, what kind of starting salary for an ethical hacker in India per month should you expect?
Let's take a closer look at the numbers.
| Role | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|
| IT Security & Infrastructure | Rs.6,83,676 |
| Security Testing & Auditing | Rs.6,19,354 |
| Security Policies & Procedures | Rs. 1,002,069 |
| Security Risk Management | Rs. 8,43,869 |
| Network Security Management | Rs.5,96,719 |
| Penetration Testing | Rs. 5,46,811 |
| Cyber Security | Rs. 7,18,407 |
Getting a job with an adequate ethical hacking salary per month in India is difficult. However, with our Ethical Hacking course online, you can be confident about getting employed by a reputable company easily.
Ethical Hacker Salary in India: Based on Education
While cyber security certifications can help you climb the success ladder in this field, education is a huge factor affecting salary. With a diploma or a bachelor's degree in computer science or IT, you build a solid foundation in CS or IT, making it easier to warm up to cybersecurity concepts, while a master's degree in the same field can help you develop specialized knowledge in either cybersecurity or related fields that can take your salary a notch higher. Let's look at the numbers below for more details:
Education Level | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
Beginner (Diploma or Certification) | 3.48 Lacs - 4.92 Lacs |
Bachelor's Degree (CS, IT) | 5.4 Lacs - 7.2 Lacs |
Master's Degree (Cybersecurity) | 7.8 Lacs+ |
Sources: Glassdoor and PayScale
Ethical Hacker Salary in India: Based on Certification
Obtaining a credential in Ethical Hacking may vary your salary. Many organizations consider credentials that help professionals command higher salaries than their other counterparts, since these credentials promise a better skillset. Certifications can also help you validate your specialization or proficiency in identifying and solving security vulnerabilities. There's a high demand for skilled ethical hackers and earning recognized certifications can significantly impact your earning potential. Let's look at how much professionals with different certifications are earning:
Certification | Prerequisites | Focus Area | Benefits | Salary |
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) | None | Broad range of ethical hacking topics (network security, vulnerability assessment, system hacking, social engineering) | Popular certification, good foundation | 4,50,000 - 7,00,000 |
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) | None (but strong technical skills recommended) | Hands-on penetration testing labs | Well-respected, industry standard | 6,00,000 - 9,00,000 |
GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) | None (but security experience preferred) | Penetration testing methodologies and tools | Offered by SANS Institute (respected organization) | 5,50,000 - 8,00,000 |
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | 5 years cumulative paid security experience | Broad cybersecurity topics (security architecture, engineering) | Not strictly ethical hacking, but valuable for overall knowledge | 7,00,000 - 12,00,000 |
CompTIA PenTest+ | None | Penetration testing fundamentals | Good for beginners or broader foundation | 4,00,000 - 5,50,000 |
Certified Penetration Testing Consultant (CPTC) | None (but experience in penetration testing helpful) | Business aspects of penetration testing (planning, scoping, reporting) | Ideal for ethical hackers transitioning to consulting | 5,00,000 - 8,00,000 |
Sources: Naukri.com, Glassdoor, PayScale
Ethical Hacker Salary in India: Based on Skill
When it comes to ethical hacking salaries in India, one good hack to increase your salary is by upgrading your skills. Organizations are in dire need of professionals with specialized skills and are willing to pay what it takes. Hence, your practical abilities can truly impress the employers which can translate to a bigger paycheck. Strong skills in penetration testing can help you increase your salary manifold. Skills like network security or scripting are also well appreciated and can put you in the high-earning zone. Let's look at some of the ethical hacking skills and their ratings in terms of salary.
| Skills | Average Annual Salary |
| Security Testing and Auditing | ₹400,000 |
| IT Security & Infrastructure | ₹495,794 |
| Penetration Testing | ₹513,947 |
| Web Security & Encryption | ₹950,000 |
| Linux | ₹1,300,000 |
Source: careervira
Salaries for Other Cybersecurity Professionals
In cybersecurity, there are various job profiles. Some job profiles are concerned with finding problems in systems, some are about fixing them, and others are about planning how to keep everything safe. The people who oversee making sure everything stays safe usually get paid more because of the big responsibility. Here’s a list of job profiles relevant to cybersecurity and how much they earn in a year:
Role | Salary Range (₹) (per year) |
Security Analyst | ₹ 4,00,000 - ₹ 7,00,000 |
Network Security Engineer | ₹ 5,00,000 - ₹ 8,50,000 |
Security Architect | ₹ 8,00,000 - ₹ 15,00,000 |
Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Tester (VAPT) | ₹ 6,00,000 - ₹ 10,00,000 |
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) | ₹ 15,000,000 - ₹ 30,000,000 |
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst | ₹ 4,50,000 - ₹ 8,00,000 |
Cloud Security Engineer | ₹ 6,00,000 - ₹ 12,00,000lpa |
Sources: Glassdoor, PayScale
Ethical Hacker Salary in Other Countries
Ethical hacking salaries vary significantly across the globe. Countries like the US, Canada, and Australia generally offer higher ranges compared to India or Singapore. This can be due to factors like living costs, industry maturity, and overall demand. While some regions might have a higher concentration of ethical hacker roles, a global skills shortage creates a strong demand for these cybersecurity specialists everywhere. This means for those with the right skills, there's an opportunity to find lucrative opportunities regardless of location. Let’s look at the figures below:
Country | Average Salary |
United States | $82,000 - $100,000 |
Canada | C$73,000 |
Australia | AU$101,000 |
Singapore | S$67,000 |
India | ₹24,000 - ₹52,000 |
United Arab Emirates (UAE) | AED 177,000 |
Factors Determining CEH Salary in India
The more you know about what you're doing, the better you'll be at it. And that's true of the field of information security as well.
A Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) has been certified by a professional certification body to have a working knowledge of information security and penetration testing. This article will look at factors determining CEH salary in India and how they can help you get the best job possible.
1. Experience
The more experience you have, the better. That's why most people start with small companies and work their way up to bigger ones. This can also help you get more responsibilities and make a more ethical hacker salary in India for freshers.
The only issue is that if you start at a big company, you might have to take on a lot of grunt work before getting any real responsibility or making any real money. It's all about what kind of experience you want from your job.
2. Location
The location where you work can also affect your pay. For example, if you work in a large city like Mumbai or Delhi, you will likely earn more than someone who works in a smaller city. This is because metropolitan cities have greater job opportunities than smaller ones like rural areas.
3. Education
If you have more qualifications than others in an industry, you will likely earn more money than others. Qualifications like B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) and B.Sc. - CS are highly recommended for a high-paying job.
4. Industry
Whether you work for a software or a manufacturing company will greatly determine your salary. This is because different industries have different pay scales and expectations.
Top Companies Who Hire Ethical Hackers in India
If you're looking for a job as an ethical hacker in India, plenty of companies hire them. Here are a few of the top ones -
1. Accenture
Accenture is one of the world's largest consulting firms, providing services like IT consulting, business consulting, and management consulting to clients worldwide. They have offices in over 120 countries and employ tons of people. Ethical hackers help clients protect their systems from cyberattacks by finding vulnerabilities before criminals can exploit them.
2. Wipro
Wipro is another global IT services company with offices in over 50 countries around the world. They provide services like software engineering and system integration to many international clients. Their ethical hackers help clients secure their systems from cyberattacks by identifying vulnerabilities so they can be fixed before criminals take advantage of them.
3. IBM
IBM is one of the best places to work if you want to be an ethical hacker. It has a special division called Security Innovation Lab that helps you develop your skills, and it's also partnered with organizations like HireTECH Talent Solutions to help you find jobs in the company.
4. Capgemini
Capgemini offers various training programs to help you develop your skills as an ethical hacker. This company offers great benefits and plenty of opportunities to learn new skills.
5. Amazon
Amazon is another great choice for ethical hackers looking for a company that has a strong reputation within the industry, which means you'll be working with some of the best people around.
Here is a list of top companies based on various industry sectors along with the salary:
| Industry | Top Companies | Average Annual Salary |
| Information Technology | TCS, IBM, Wipro | ₹540,000 |
| Telecommunications | Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea Limited, Reliance Jio | ₹600,000 |
| Banking & Finance | HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank | ₹800,000 |
| eCommerce | Myntra, Amazon India, Paytm | ₹530,000 |
| Healthcare | Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare | ₹450,000 |
Why are Ethical Hackers in Demand in India?
The National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) in India's "The Future of Jobs in Cybersecurity (2021-2025)" report estimates a potential shortage of 2 million cybersecurity professionals in India by 2025. This data underlines the significant skill gap in the cybersecurity workforce, including ethical hackers.
The brighter side of this study indicates at the rising demand of cybersecurity professionals in India which is good news for all professionals looking to skill up in cybersecurity. Here’s more reasons for why cybersecurity is set to become an in-demand profession:
- Rapid Digitization & Internet Growth: India's booming digital economy, with over 850 million internet users, creates a vast attack surface for cybercriminals. Hence, organizations will require specialized professionals to secure the systems.
- Growing Cybercrime Threats: India faces a significant rise in cyberattacks, targeting financial institutions and critical infrastructure. The need for ethical hackers to counter these threats is paramount.
- Skill Gap in Cybersecurity Workforce: The Indian cybersecurity workforce has a significant skill gap, with a shortage of qualified ethical hackers to address the growing cyber threats.
- Government Focus & Regulations: The Indian government actively promotes cybersecurity awareness and implements stricter data protection regulations, further driving the demand for ethical hackers.
- Cloud Adoption on the Rise: The increasing adoption of cloud computing in India necessitates robust security measures. Ethical hackers play a crucial role in securing cloud environments.
Who is an Ethical Hacker?
An ethical hacker is a person who is allowed to try to break into a computer system, network, or website. Their goal is to find vulnerabilities that can be fixed before they are exploited by someone malicious. They are also called penetration testers or security auditors, and they often work for large companies that hire them to test their systems.
In some cases, ethical hackers will perform both black-hat and white-hat hacking. This way, they can identify vulnerabilities in their systems before criminals do so. In other cases, ethical hackers may only perform white-hat hacking. Ethical hackers who only perform white-hat hacking are sometimes called "white hat" hackers or security researchers.
White hat hackers are IT professionals who hack into computer systems with their employers' permission or authorization to find security vulnerabilities before malicious attackers. Companies often hire white hat hackers to test their systems for vulnerabilities and find ways to improve security. They use the same tools and methods as black-hat hackers, but they do so in a way that doesn't cause any damage or loss of data.
Ethical Hacker Job Roles and Responsibilities
Ethical hacking is a unique domain. It helps identify vulnerabilities in systems and applications and then reports them to the companies that own them so they can be fixed.
But what do these ethical hackers do? Here are some of the most common job roles and responsibilities for ethical hackers -
1. Security Risk Assessment
This is one of the most important roles of an Ethical Hacker. It involves performing a risk assessment of the company's security system, identifying what needs to be improved, and implementing the necessary changes. This role can also include establishing a baseline for the company's security strength to be compared to future tests.
2. Penetration Testing
This is another important role for Ethical Hackers to take on. Penetration testing involves actively attacking a company's network and/or computer systems to identify vulnerabilities and determine how well they are protected against breaches. This is done by simulating malicious attacks from outside sources, such as hackers or other malicious actors who may want access to sensitive data or systems within an organization.
3. Vulnerability Analysis
Vulnerability analysis is the process of identifying vulnerabilities in a system. Vulnerabilities are weaknesses in software, hardware, or processes that hackers can exploit to gain access to information or resources they would not normally have access to.
The goal of vulnerability analysis is to determine potential threats and how they can be mitigated. This role is important because it helps identify risks that could threaten the organization's security and then take steps to reduce them.
4. Security Audit
A security audit assesses an organization's current security practices and procedures. Audits are performed by professionals trained in information security and may include people from different departments within an organization (such as HR).
The purpose of a security audit is not only to find problems with existing systems but also to identify areas where improvements can be made to protect your information assets from hackers or other unauthorized users.
Top Skills Required For Ethical Hacker
If you want to become an ethical hacker, you should know all the essential skills needed for this job.
The top skills required for ethical hackers are:
1. Programming And Scripting
Ethical hackers need to be able to write code and scripts. This includes both the ability to understand how they work and to be able to create them from scratch.
2. Networking
Ethical hackers need to understand how networks work, including how data flows through them and what happens when it hits a choke point or other problem. They also need to be able to connect with other people in the field, which means networking skills are important.
3. Hardware Knowledge
Ethical hackers need to know how all of the hardware on a network works together, including the routers and switches that direct traffic around the system, as well as any software running on top of those machines (such as firewalls).
They also need an understanding of how wireless networks operate and any other devices that might be connected by cables or wirelessly instead of via Ethernet ports or Wireless Access Points (WAPs).
4. Security Knowledge
Ethical hacking requires a deep understanding of computer security concepts such as encryption algorithms (SHA-1 vs. MD5), hashing algorithms (MD5 vs. SHA-1), symmetric vs. asymmetric keys (AES vs. RSA), etc.
Required Qualifications for Ethical Hacker
In order to become an ethical hacker, you will need to have a strong background in computer science. If you do not have this knowledge, then you may want to consider getting some computer science experience before attempting to become an ethical hacker. This will allow you to understand how computers work and what they are capable of doing.
You will also need to have good communication skills. You will be working with other people in the field of computer security, so it is important that you can communicate well with them. This includes being able to give clear instructions, listen carefully, and respond appropriately when given feedback.
Finally, you must be willing to learn new things all the time because technology is constantly changing and evolving.
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Bottom Line
I hope this ethical hacker salary in India article was helpful for you. At KnowledgeHut, we believe that ethical hacking is a true necessity for anyone working in the cybersecurity field. With KnowledgeHut’s Cyber Security training, you can learn the fundamentals of programming, networking, and information security. We're thrilled to be able to offer this class online. As the world grows more technologically connected, this ethical hacking skill is becoming increasingly important.
If you're looking for a way to build your knowledge and skills around ethical hacking, then our online course is just what you need. We've designed it with the latest technologies in mind, and we know that it will put you on track to becoming an ethical hacker yourself!
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