Journal Entry 13

A later module addresses cybersecurity policy through a social science framework. At this point, attention can be drawn to one type of policy, known as bug bounty policies. These policies pay individuals for identifying vulnerabilities in a company’s cyber infrastructure.  To identify the vulnerabilities, ethical hackers are invited to try explore the cyber infrastructure using their penetration testing skills.  The policies relate to economics in that they are based on cost/benefits principles.  Read this article https://academic.oup.com/cybersecurity/article/7/1/tyab007/6168453?login=trueLinks to an external site.  and write a summary reaction to the use of the policies in your journal.  Focus primarily on the literature review and the discussion of the findings.

The utilization of bug bounty policies represents a commendable and proactive approach to cybersecurity. These policies encourage ethical hackers and security researchers to identify and report vulnerabilities within an organization’s systems, fostering a collaborative and transparent environment. I was slightly surprised by the amount of individuals, 25%, that withheld submitting vulnerabilities out of fear of being held liable. This is why I support the idea that incentivizing individuals to responsibly disclose security flaws, bug bounty policies contributes to the continuous improvement of digital defenses. This approach not only strengthens cybersecurity measures but also helps organizations stay ahead of potential threats. It’s a positive shift towards acknowledging the collective responsibility for digital security, emphasizing cooperation between the cybersecurity community and businesses. While bug bounty policies are not a silver bullet, they play an important role in enhancing resilience against cyber threats.