Bug bounty programs are initiatives where organizations invite security researchers and ethical hackers to find and report vulnerabilities in their systems, applications, or websites. In return, participants receive rewards, often in the form of monetary payments, recognition, or career opportunities, depending on the severity of the issue discovered.
Bug bounty programs help organizations identify security flaws that may be missed during internal testing. Researchers test systems responsibly and follow disclosure guidelines to ensure vulnerabilities are fixed before they can be exploited maliciously.
Beyond improving security, bug bounty programs foster collaboration between organizations and the global cybersecurity community. They promote proactive defense, transparency, and continuous improvement in digital security practices.