A Bug Bounty Program is a cybersecurity initiative that rewards individuals, often ethical hackers, for discovering and reporting software bugs or vulnerabilities. These programs are designed to supplement internal security measures by leveraging the expertise of external researchers to identify and report security flaws before malicious actors exploit them.
Bug bounty programs offer financial incentives to independent security researchers who find vulnerabilities in software, websites, or systems. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook have implemented bug bounty programs to enhance their cybersecurity posture and protect their digital assets.
Rewards in bug bounty programs vary based on the severity of the vulnerability, with some companies offering substantial cash rewards for critical bugs. These programs can be managed in-house by the organization or through third-party bug bounty platforms, which streamline the submission, validation, and reward distribution processes.