Hacking goes pro

These days, millions of people are participating in a globalised hacker culture that has evolved from a narrow subculture of alpha-nerds into a highly collaborative 'industry', increasingly populated by seasoned professionals, many of whom are not even technologists. This industry is enormous. Cybersecurity professionals and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation estimate that the global hacker criminal economy is currently worth at least $10bn annually, causes perhaps $100bn in annual damage, and sports an up to 30 per cent growth rate. With these kinds of profits at stake, hackers are increasingly disciplined and profit- motivated.