1. What Exactly Does an Ethical Hacker Do?
Ethical hacking is about defense. You are hired to find the “open doors” before the criminals do. In Pakistan, you will rarely see the job title “Ethical Hacker” on a contract. Instead, you will likely be an “Information Security Analyst” or “Penetration Tester.”
A “Day in the Life” Scenario:
Imagine you work for a bank like HBL or a telecom like Jazz.
Vulnerability Assessment: You constantly scan the company’s websites, servers, and networks to check for weaknesses (e.g., outdated software or exposed services).
Defense & Monitoring (SOC): You monitor logs and network traffic for suspicious activity. Most junior roles start here.
Penetration Testing (Pentesting): You launch controlled, authorized attacks to see if you can break into the system and access sensitive data.
Report Writing: This is critical. You must clearly explain to management what you found and how they must fix it.
Industry Secret: In Pakistani Banks and Fintech companies, the role heavily involves “Compliance.” You will help ensure the company follows State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and other global security regulations.
2. How Much Will I Earn? (The Realistic Salary Breakdown)
Money in this field grows exponentially. The first two years are for learning; after that, your salary will jump quickly based on your skills and certifications.
| Experience Level | Role | Monthly Salary (PKR) |
| Intern / Trainee | Learning Phase | 25,000 – 35,000 |
| Junior (0-2 Years) | SOC Analyst L1, Jr. Pentester | 45,000 – 70,000 |
| Mid-Level (2-5 Years) | Security Engineer, Consultant | 100,000 – 200,000 |
| Senior (5+ Years) | CISO, Lead Architect | 300,000 – 500,000+ |
💰 How to Earn in Dollars (Remote Work):
Many skilled Pakistani hackers earn in USD by working remotely or through bug bounties.
Bug Bounties: Platforms like HackerOne or Bugcrowd pay you per confirmed vulnerability. A simple bug can earn you $500 to $2,000+.
Freelancing: Offer specialized services like website security audits on platforms like Upwork.
3. Where Will I Find a Job? (Companies & Networking)
The demand for security professionals in Pakistan is high and diverse.
Top Hiring Sectors and Companies:
Fintech & Banks (Highest Demand): HBL, UBL, Meezan Bank, SadaPay.
Telecom Sector: Jazz, Telenor, Zong (Focus on Network Security).
Consultancy Firms (Best for Learning): These firms hire and train pentesters to provide services to other companies.
Rewterz, Risk Associates, Trillium Information Security.
Software Houses: Systems Ltd, 10Pearls, Arbisoft.
How to Search (The Hidden Job Market):
LinkedIn Search Strategy: Don’t limit your search to “Ethical Hacker.” Use professional keywords: “Vulnerability Assessment,” “SOC Analyst,” and “Information Security Engineer.”
Community: Jobs are often filled through referrals. Network at local events.
BSides Pakistan: The largest hacker community in Pakistan. Look for their events and Discord server.
OWASP Chapters: Search for “OWASP Pakistan” chapters (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad) for free, local meetups.
4. The “Zero-to-Hero” Learning Roadmap
A degree is good, but your practical skills are what get you hired.
Phase 1: The Foundation (1-2 Months)
Networking: You must understand IP, DNS, the OSI Model, and how firewalls work.
Resource: NetworkChuck CCNA Playlist (YouTube) – A friendly, easy-to-digest starting point.
Linux: Master the command line. The hacker’s environment is Kali Linux.
Resource: Linux Journey – Free, text-based interactive learning.
Practice: OverTheWire (Bandit Level) – Learn Linux commands by solving puzzles.
Phase 2: Practice & Tools (2-3 Months)
Web Hacking: Learn how the web breaks (SQL Injection, XSS, etc.).
Resource: PortSwigger Web Security Academy – This is essential. It is free and created by the experts behind the Burp Suite tool.
Practice Labs: You must do the work, not just watch videos.
Resource: TryHackMe – Start with the “Pre-Security” and “Complete Beginner” paths.
Phase 3: Certification (The HR Filter)
CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker): Pakistan’s HR departments highly value this. It is often the first filter to get your resume shortlisted.
eJPT (Junior Penetration Tester): Excellent for proving you have hands-on, practical skills. Highly recommended before going for the bigger exams.
⚡ Portfolio Secret: Advanced Projects & Reporting
A simple hack won’t impress. You need complex projects and, more importantly, professional reports.
| Level | Recommended Lab / VM | Focus / Why it’s a Better Portfolio Piece | Access (Search for these machines/rooms) |
| Beginner-to-Intermediate | TryHackMe (THM) Paths | Focuses on modern, guided labs. Showcases clear methodology and reporting. | Free on TryHackMe |
| Specific Rooms: Kenobi, Startup, Simple CTF | These require service enumeration, web exploitation, and privilege escalation. | ||
| Intermediate | Hack The Box (HTB) — Easy/Medium Retired Machines | Requires critical, non-Metasploit thinking, service chaining, and unique privesc. | Free on Hack The Box |
| Specific Machines: Lame, Devel, Optimum | Note: Use retired machines for learning; live machines are for competition. |
The Real Job-Ready Skill: Professional Reporting
Hacking is only 20% of the job; reporting is 80%. For your portfolio, you must include a Penetration Test Report for EACH machine you successfully compromise.
Your Report Must Include:
Executive Summary: A one-paragraph, non-technical summary for the CEO/Manager.
Steps to Reproduce: The exact commands and screenshots showing how you compromised the system.
Remediation: The precise fix the developer needs to apply (e.g., “Implement input validation on all file upload fields.”).
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is a highly rewarding career in Pakistan. If you are analytical, curious, and dedicated to learning the right skills, you can achieve both a high salary and a future-proof career.
Don’t wait. Start your learning plan today!
