What is the main function of ethical hackers in cybersecurity?

The main function of ethical hackers in cybersecurity is to perform authorized tests to find vulnerabilities. Ethical hackers, also known as penetration testers or white-hat hackers, operate with permission from the organization they are testing. Their goal is to identify weaknesses in an organization's systems, networks, and applications before malicious hackers can exploit them.

This proactive approach is crucial for establishing robust cybersecurity defenses. By simulating cyber-attacks and employing various techniques to probe for vulnerabilities, ethical hackers can provide organizations with insights into their security posture and help prioritize areas for improvement. They play a critical role in risk management by ensuring that potential security flaws are addressed, thereby safeguarding sensitive information and reducing the likelihood of successful attacks.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the ethical responsibilities of ethical hackers. Stealing sensitive information is a criminal act associated with malicious hacking. Automating security measures is a separate task typically performed by security engineers or IT professionals and is not the primary role of ethical hackers. Developing malware for training purposes, while it may be part of some training environments, does not represent the core function of ethical hackers, which is to protect systems through authorized testing and vulnerability assessment.