Washington legal term
White hat security research in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “White hat security research” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Washington criminal code.
What does “White hat security research” mean in Washington criminal law?
"White hat security research" means accessing a data program, service, or system solely for purposes of good faith testing, investigation, identification, and/or correction of a security flaw or vulnerability, where such activity is carried out, and where the information derived from the activity is used, primarily to promote security or safety. (RCW 9A.90.030)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.