
White hat hackers, or ethical hackers, who scope out and report bugs in software are in high demand globally. Tech giants spends a hefty amount on bug-bounty programmes every year rewarding lone-wolf white hat hackers for finding weaknesses in their applications. Companies also specifically hire these hackers to probe their apps and websites.
The trend has hit India too and
"Indian companies have now woken up to cybersecurity," 22-year-old Kumar, who has been approached by several Indian firms post the government's recent demonetisation decision and embrace of cashless transactions, told ET.
Kumar, who has signed nondisclosure agreements with these companies, says he has earned about Rs 1.2 lakh in the past two months alone. The spike in online transactions since November has put digital payment companies under severe scrutiny, with users and experts questioning their readiness against sophisticated cyberattacks. And what better approach to safeguard systems than to put them under attack by the good guys?
Another white hacker,
Prasad, now 22, has been participating in bug-bounty programmes since he was 16. But this is the first time he is working for Indian companies.
"Security is a new concept for Indian companies," Prasad, who has found bugs for
Indian online payment companies have been announcing various measures, including hiring ethical hackers, to beef up security against online frauds and attacks.
Globally, security platforms such as
In India, however, white hat hackers are discovered by virtue of their online profiles, says
"In most cases, it is the chief technology officer or director of a company who emails you asking if you'd be interested in an assignment," Prakash, 24, who has taken up three assignments in the past two months, told ET