Cybersecurity Policy through a Social Science Framework

The article on bug bounty policies highlights their value as a cost-effective cybersecurity strategy. The literature review explains how organizations, limited by internal resources, invite ethical hackers to find vulnerabilities, offering rewards based on findings. This crowdsourced model is grounded in economic cost-benefit principles. The discussion reveals that higher bounties attract more skilled hackers, increasing the chances of identifying critical threats.
However, it also notes diminishing returns—raising payouts doesn’t always lead to better results. The findings suggest that well-structured programs improve vulnerability management and resource allocation. Overall, bug bounty programs create a mutually beneficial relationship between companies and ethical hackers but must be carefully managed to balance incentives with quality control and maintain trust between parties