Public vs Private Bug Bounty Program

Public vs Private

When launching a bug bounty program, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is whether to make it public or keep it private. Both public and private bug bounty programs have their benefits and challenges, and the choice depends on your organization’s goals, security maturity, and the resources available to manage the program.

In this post, we’ll explore the key differences between public and private bug bounty programs, and provide guidance on when to use each approach to maximize the effectiveness of your security efforts.

What is a Private Bug Bounty Program?

A private bug bounty program is invitation-only, meaning that only a selected group of ethical hackers are invited to participate. These programs are typically smaller in scope and provide organizations with more control over who can access their systems and submit reports.

Benefits of a Private Bug Bounty Program

• Tighter control: You can carefully choose experienced and trusted ethical hackers to participate, ensuring that only vetted individuals have access to your systems.
• Lower volume of submissions: With fewer participants, the number of reports will be more manageable, allowing your security team to focus on high-quality vulnerabilities.
• Gradual ramp-up: A private program allows you to start small, testing the waters with a select group of hackers before opening it to a wider audience.
• Custom scope: You can tailor the program’s scope based on your current security needs and adjust it as your organization grows.

When to Choose a Private Bug Bounty Program

• When your security maturity is developing: If your organization is new to bug bounty programs or is still building out its security infrastructure, a private program is a great way to ease into the process. It allows you to start small, learn from experienced hackers, and fine-tune your processes before exposing your systems to a larger audience.
• When dealing with sensitive systems: If your company handles sensitive customer data or operates within regulated industries like finance or healthcare, a private program can offer the control needed to ensure that only trusted individuals have access to your systems.

What is a Public Bug Bounty Program?

A public bug bounty program is open to the entire ethical hacking community. Any researcher can participate, which means you’re tapping into a global pool of talent to help uncover vulnerabilities. Public programs typically see a higher volume of participation and submissions, offering a wider range of expertise.

Benefits of a Public Bug Bounty Program

• Access to a global community: Public programs invite a large and diverse group of hackers to test your systems, increasing the likelihood of uncovering critical vulnerabilities that smaller teams might miss.
• Broader coverage: With more participants, public bug bounty programs often cover a wider variety of systems and attack surfaces, helping to identify more comprehensive vulnerabilities.
• Continuous improvement: Public programs provide ongoing, real-time feedback, allowing you to address vulnerabilities continuously rather than on a fixed schedule, like in traditional security audits.

When to Choose a Public Bug Bounty Program

• When your security is mature: If your organization has a strong security foundation and can handle a larger volume of reports, a public bug bounty program can bring in fresh perspectives and discover vulnerabilities that have gone undetected.
• When scalability is needed: Public programs can scale quickly, giving you the ability to handle vulnerabilities across multiple products, applications, or systems.
• When you want continuous testing: Public programs provide a constant flow of vulnerability reports, ensuring that your systems are continuously tested by a variety of researchers, helping you stay ahead of emerging threats.

Deciding Between Public and Private

Ultimately, the choice between public and private comes down to several factors:

1. Security Maturity

• Private: Ideal for organizations still building out their security processes or for companies with sensitive systems. If your organization is relatively new to bug bounty programs, a private program can provide a safer, controlled environment to learn and improve.
• Public: Best suited for companies with well-established security frameworks. A public program works well when you are confident in your ability to handle a high volume of reports and can benefit from continuous security testing.

2. Resources and Capacity

• Private: With fewer participants, a private program generates fewer submissions, making it easier for smaller security teams to manage. This reduces the risk of becoming overwhelmed by the number of reports.
• Public: Requires more resources to handle the influx of reports and manage the large number of participants. Organizations with dedicated security teams and automated triage systems are better equipped to manage public programs.

3. Scope and Sensitivity of Systems

• Private: Works well for organizations that need to limit exposure to specific systems or data. You can control access and focus on high-priority assets, adjusting the scope as needed.
• Public: Suitable for organizations looking for broader coverage. Public programs can help identify vulnerabilities across multiple systems or products that have already undergone private testing.

Transitioning from Private to Public

Many organizations start with a private program and then transition to a public one as their security processes mature. This approach allows you to test your systems with a small, trusted group of hackers before expanding to a global audience.

Here are some indicators that your organization is ready to go public:

• You’ve successfully run a private program: If your private bug bounty program has been running smoothly and you’ve addressed key vulnerabilities, it might be time to open the doors to a larger pool of researchers.
• Your security team is equipped to handle a larger volume of reports: Make sure your team has the capacity and resources to manage a higher number of submissions and can triage reports efficiently.
• You need broader coverage: If your systems are becoming more complex or you’re expanding your product offerings, transitioning to a public program can help ensure that more attack surfaces are tested.

Conclusion

Choosing between a private or public bug bounty program depends on your organization’s goals, security maturity, and capacity. Private programs offer a controlled and gradual approach to improving your security posture, while public programs provide broader coverage and continuous feedback from a global community of researchers.

At CyberDart, we help organizations of all sizes design bug bounty programs tailored to their needs. Whether you’re starting with a private program or ready to go public, we offer the tools and expertise to ensure your program is successful and aligned with your security goals.

Ready to build your bug bounty program? Contact CyberDart today to get started. CyberDart Team