White Hats in Blue? The Ethical Issues of Employing Hackers in Law Enforcement Agencies
Aleksandra Pawlicka, Marek Pawlicki, Rafał Kozik, Michał Choraś · IT Professional · 2025
This article examines the critical role of ethical hacking in cybersecurity, with a focus on law enforcement agencies (LEAs). As cybercrime rates rise dramatically, ethical hacking has emerged as a proactive approach to identify and address potential vulnerabilities. The article highlights a number of ethical dilemmas and challenges related to the employing of the “white-hat” hackers. It discusses the unique application of ethical hacking in LEAs and addresses the privacy, governance, financial, and psychological implications. The article underscores that although ethical hacking is essential for cybersecurity, its effective integration demands careful navigation of ethical and legal landscapes to ensure its beneficial impact on digital security.