If you are, corporate America may be looking for you. Take for example Jarred Sims and Tin Tam, a pair of college buddies who spend their days trying to hack into security systems at Boeing Co. Instead of being arrested, Boeing has hired them to do it. Jarred and Tin think it is an "awesome" job. Sims and Tam spend much of their day devising, revising and analyzing complicated security programs that they then use their skills to try to hack.

The pair was hired after they aced a cyber-security competition held by Boeing. They aren't alone. Increasingly, companies are turning to unlikely characters who have distinguished themselves more on simulated cyber-battlefields than in classrooms. One such recruit didn't have a college degree, nor a high school diploma, but at night, he participated in online hacker competitions and outperformed others.

Boeing, like many other international companies is vulnerable to cyber-attacks and must constantly try to ward of any attacks that may jeopardize their intellectual property. The damage by hackers is well known, but the potential for corporate sabotage is much greater, thus the need for cyber-sleuths like those at Boeing.

Small businesses can be liable for lost or stolen data as well. Stolen credit card data can cost a small business in more ways than one. MasterCard is looking to fine a small business that had its customers credit card data stolen. They are seeking $200,000 in fines and the company may be sued by those whose info was stolen. Visa has stated that as many as 95% of credit card thefts are from small business. That kind of liability has driven the need for cyber-security expertise. Even defense contractors are looking to hire savvy young computer geeks.

So put your hacking abilities to good use and help protect both corporate America and Mom and Pop businesses keep their data safe.