In the online marketplace, the same technology that can propel your business forward is available to the next interested individual or company. And even if you believe in business ethics, there’s no guarantee your competitors do. Given how APAC organizations are expected to lose some US$1.745 trillion (that’s 7 percent of the region’s total GDP) to cyber criminals this year, it’s clearly something your business needs to think about.

Some companies hire ethical hackers, or white hat hackers, to help them find and patch vulnerabilities in their systems. It’s not a new trend; there are training programs, workshops and available tutorials on white hat hacking. You can also take an exam to earn your Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) qualification. But even as demand for ethical hacking grows, businesses may grapple with the ethics of hiring a hacker to catch a hacker. Do the ends really justify the means? Is ethical hacking even ethical in the first place?

There is no doubt, of course, that ethics are important in the digital age for any business small or large. The increase in new policies managing risk and privacy alone is testament to its importance.

But the same time, security too is just as crucial. As Alvin Gan, executive director, KPMG Management and Risk Consulting said : “You don’t want to spend millions on a project but only secure it with a two dollar padlock from the market.”

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