Microsoft enhances security measures with a comprehensive bug bounty program

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The challenge

Microsoft recognized the need for a more structured approach to vulnerability reporting and rewards. An effective solution was required to handle:

  • High volume of submissions: Tackling numerous vulnerability reports from diverse researchers required a consistent and efficient triage process.

  • Complex reward distribution: Coordinating bounty payments to researchers worldwide, given the different banking systems and currencies, was a challenging and time-consuming task.

The solution

Microsoft sought to improve its security by leveraging the insights and expertise of external researchers. The bug bounty program provided an effective solution by:

  • Utilizing external insights: Using trends and findings from vulnerability reports to drive future security investments and comprehensively strengthen the attack surface.

  • Structured reward system: Offering rewards ranging from $500 to $250,000 per report, ensuring fair and timely compensation to researchers.

We look at the researcher community as our partners and not our adversaries. We see all occasions to partner with the researchers as an opportunity to secure our customers.

Madeline Eckert

Microsoft
Microsoft

The implementation

Microsoft designed a program that balanced vulnerability disclosure with targeted bug bounties.

Key steps included:

  • Segmented program structure: Differentiating between a Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) and a Bug Bounty Program, allowing for an open-door policy for general submissions while maintaining a targeted scope for specific security challenges.

  • Community partnership: Collaborating with the research community and fostering a cooperative environment to secure their products against malicious actors.

The result

Today, Microsoft runs a highly successful bug bounty program with remarkable outcomes:

  • Simple and seamless financial transactions: Paying out approximately $13 to $14 million annually to over 350 researchers for their vulnerability disclosures, with a total of nearly 10,000 researchers engaged throughout the program's history.

  • Enhanced security posture: Gaining diverse perspectives from external researchers, which helps identify and mitigate vulnerabilities more effectively.

  • Industry leadership: Continuously improving the program and setting industry standards, ensuring the security of the global online community.

Microsoft

Microsoft, a global technology leader, aimed to bolster its security posture while managing and rewarding vulnerability reports efficiently. With a commitment to maintaining high-security standards and fostering strong relationships with security researchers, Microsoft launched a comprehensive bug bounty program.

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"Our security director has a simple rule of thumb. He says $1 spent in bug bounty is between $10 and $100 later - and I completely agree with him."

Ioana Piroska,
Visma Security Engineer & Bug Bounty Program Manager