Enhancing the Security of Your Mobile App or Website through Bug Bounties

When it comes to fortifying the security of your mobile app or website, a highly recommended strategy is initiating a bug bounty program. This approach effectively harnesses the power of crowdsourcing to uncover security vulnerabilities within your application. By inviting a multitude of vigilant eyes to scrutinize your app, the likelihood of identifying significant vulnerabilities before malicious hackers do is significantly increased.

Bug bounty initiatives have gained substantial traction over time, yet embarking on this endeavor can be bewildering. Notably, there are two prominent platforms – Bug Crowd and HackerOne – that merit consideration for starting your bug bounty journey. While it is plausible to create a bespoke bug bounty platform, garnering ample interest for such an endeavor, unless backed by a substantial corporate presence, can be challenging. Hence, opting for one of the established bug bounty platforms is generally the wisest choice.

The Cost Consideration of a Bug Bounty Program

A recurring query during my security discussions pertains to the cost implications of initiating a bug bounty program. Understandably, this cost can fluctuate significantly depending on your specific requirements. Often, individuals are particularly interested in the cost of embarking on a basic bug bounty program targeting a single mobile app or website.

To address this inquiry, let's examine the pricing details provided by HackerOne. The lowest-tier pricing starts at $14,000, translating to approximately $1,000 per month allocated for bounty payments to the diligent security researchers involved, alongside an additional $200 in processing fees. While it's conceivable to opt for a more economical route by solely awarding kudos without monetary compensation, this approach may not attract a substantial number of exploits. Furthermore, the platforms furnish indispensable tools to manage the influx of reported vulnerabilities, especially during the initial stages of a bounty campaign. It's crucial to note that the mentioned costs pertain exclusively to external expenses and do not encompass the internal team's efforts in addressing identified vulnerabilities or the expenses incurred by developers for rectifying the detected issues.

Best Practices for Executing a Successful Bug Bounty Program

Initiating a bug bounty program, though well-intentioned, can be futile without a comprehensive plan. Effective management is key. Assigning personnel to triage incoming vulnerabilities before they are conveyed to developers and designating individuals to rectify the identified flaws is imperative. It is unwise to assume that any developer from your team can seamlessly handle the challenges arising from these vulnerabilities; dedicated effort is necessary to stay on top of the submissions.

Among the pivotal best practices for running a bug bounty program is maintaining responsiveness. Despite what might be portrayed in the media, the number of newly launched paid bug bounties remains relatively limited. Anything novel on platforms like Bug Crowd or HackerOne tends to attract attention. Swiftly addressing the submissions is paramount; responsiveness fosters sustained interest. Ignoring submissions or conveying a sense of inattentiveness can quickly extinguish the enthusiasm of researchers, leading them elsewhere.

Timely responses – whether affirmative or negative – are essential. A negative response typically pertains to duplicate submissions or reported exploits that do not meet the criteria for classification as a legitimate vulnerability. Clear communication about payment protocols and delineating instances where payment will and will not be made, such as for third-party libraries or APIs, is vital.

In addition to duplicate submissions, ensuring that your development team is prepared to rectify exploits promptly and implement new versions expeditiously is crucial. Regularly updating your application with security patches is pivotal to maintaining researcher interest. As time progresses, identifying vulnerabilities becomes more challenging, bolstering your app's security posture.

Transparency and integrity are non-negotiable. Avoid accepting submissions prior to the official bug bounty launch date. Refrain from employing bug bounties to silence security researchers by imposing restrictive terms and conditions. Numerous instances have emerged where companies have dangled substantial rewards while coercing researchers into non-disclosure. In such cases, delayed payments often lead researchers to lose interest and disengage. Eventually, these withheld exploit details invariably come to light.

In Conclusion

Leveraging bug bounties presents a highly effective means to enlist a diverse array of vigilant experts who meticulously examine your mobile app or website without imposing exorbitant financial burdens. Leading platforms like Bug Crowd and HackerOne offer a comprehensive suite of tools to facilitate the management of your bug bounty endeavor. With a well-structured plan, prompt responsiveness to submissions, consistent application updates featuring security enhancements, and unwavering transparency concerning payments, your application will undergo rapid fortification against potential threats.