Since this has turned partially into a discussion about rhetoric and semantics, I figured I'd join in. I kind of disagree with The Schneier's sentiment, quoted

Since this has turned partially into a discussion about rhetoric and semantics, I figured I'd join in. I kind of disagree with The Schneier's sentiment, quoted thusly: "Hacking is primarily a mindset: a way of thinking about security. Its primary focus is in attacking systems, but it's invaluable to the defense of those systems as well. Because computer systems are so complex, defending them often requires people who can think like attackers." All the way up to "Hacking is a mindset" he's on the right course. Although I'm a security professional by trade and by passion (and was just christened "The Hacker" by my peers at the new job last week), I truly believe that the definition is a bit broader than simply security. Hacking is a mindset: a way of thinking about solutions to complex problems. It so happens that security is -- or at least can be -- a pretty complex problem, but hackers of all kinds often think about the solutions to their problems by using critical thinking skills, intuition, and intimate knowledge of the system. This applies to complex problems of all varieties. I understand, to an extent, why his essay was entitled Hiring Hackers, however, Hiring Computer Criminals may have been a more fitting title. Or maybe even simply Hiring Felons, for that matter.