red hats

"Red hats" often refer to individuals in cybersecurity who are hired to evaluate and improve security systems by intentionally identifying vulnerabilities, a role sometimes called an "ethical hacker" or "penetration tester." These professionals simulate cyberattacks to find and fix weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them. The term can also relate to organizations that prioritize security, such as the "Red Hat" software company known for open-source solutions. Context matters, but generally, "red hats" imply active, authorized efforts to strengthen security through controlled testing and analysis.