Gamers Accidentally Become Cybersecurity Experts

2025-03-02
Gamers Accidentally Become Cybersecurity Experts

Thousands of video game enthusiasts are unknowingly developing cybersecurity skills through their hobby. Speedrunners, in pursuit of the fastest game completion times, exploit glitches requiring reverse engineering skills. They utilize tools like IDA Pro and Ghidra, even developing custom tools, to understand game mechanics. The glitches they find—buffer overflows, use-after-frees, etc.—are strikingly similar to real-world cybersecurity vulnerabilities. These gamers possess valuable vulnerability research skills without realizing the professional potential. This article encourages them to transition into the cybersecurity industry, transforming their passion into a career.