Microsoft’s bounty program just got a major upgrade, and if you’ve ever fancied yourself an AI bug-hunting bounty hunter, now might be the time to dust off your digital magnifying glass—and maybe start practicing how you'll spend a cool $30,000. Yes, you read that right: Microsoft is dangling some serious carrot for anyone clever (or paranoid) enough to uncover the next catastrophic AI flaw in its Dynamics 365 or Power Platform suites.
Let’s cut through the jargon: both Dynamics 365, Microsoft’s cloud-based business command center, and Power Platform, its do-it-yourself toolkit for aspiring app builders, now come with much juicier security rewards for bug finders. The bounty ranges from $500 for something annoying but non-apocalyptic, all the way up to $30,000 if your discovery puts the “critical” in “critical vulnerability.” And while $30K might not buy you a private island, it’s likely more than enough to cover a top-tier gaming rig, several years’ worth of Game Pass, or a lifetime supply of those little Microsoft Clippy plush toys. (We all have dreams.)
Microsoft is specifically worried about AI vulnerabilities. We’re talking about bugs that could sabotage a model’s inferences, sneakily manipulate outputs, or spill inferential secrets like a gossipy chatbot at an office party. Only vulnerabilities labeled “important” or “critical” (read: can do real-world damage) are eligible for the big bucks. According to the strictly-worded Microsoft Vulnerability Severity Classification for AI Systems—surely the least fun bedtime read imaginable—your find must be reproducible and in scope, not just a far-fetched hypothetical.
The message is clear: if you can outsmart AI where it matters most, you might just walk away with a reward big enough to make your digital wallet sing. So, tighten up those security skills—Microsoft’s putting real money where its AI mouth is.
Source: inkl Microsoft is paying out some huge rewards for spotting AI security issues
Big Bounties, Big Stakes
Let’s cut through the jargon: both Dynamics 365, Microsoft’s cloud-based business command center, and Power Platform, its do-it-yourself toolkit for aspiring app builders, now come with much juicier security rewards for bug finders. The bounty ranges from $500 for something annoying but non-apocalyptic, all the way up to $30,000 if your discovery puts the “critical” in “critical vulnerability.” And while $30K might not buy you a private island, it’s likely more than enough to cover a top-tier gaming rig, several years’ worth of Game Pass, or a lifetime supply of those little Microsoft Clippy plush toys. (We all have dreams.)What Kind of Flaws Make You Rich?
Microsoft is specifically worried about AI vulnerabilities. We’re talking about bugs that could sabotage a model’s inferences, sneakily manipulate outputs, or spill inferential secrets like a gossipy chatbot at an office party. Only vulnerabilities labeled “important” or “critical” (read: can do real-world damage) are eligible for the big bucks. According to the strictly-worded Microsoft Vulnerability Severity Classification for AI Systems—surely the least fun bedtime read imaginable—your find must be reproducible and in scope, not just a far-fetched hypothetical.
Bounty Boom: Two Increases in One Year
If you have a sense of déjà vu, you’re not alone. Microsoft already juiced up its AI bug bounty program in February, bumping Copilot-related payouts to $5,000. Clearly, Redmond reckons that friendly competition beats malicious exploitation, especially when it comes to the AI brains powering much of modern business. And, in a move designed to lure ethical hackers out into the open, the company even orchestrates its own Black Hat-style shindig, complete with multimillion-dollar prize pools. Kind of like the Oscars, but for people who think in code and obsessively update their threat models.How Much Is Your Discovery Worth?
While the top prize sits at $30,000—that’s headline-worthy by itself—Microsoft quietly hints that, for vulnerabilities that truly threaten the AI status quo, there’s always potential to… sweeten the pot. Translation: if your bug could take down half the AI-powered business apps in the world, Microsoft will find a way to say thank you that’s commensurate with your headache-inducing genius.Bug Bounties: Better Than a Breach
The bug bounty model is nothing new, but its importance keeps growing as AI systems worm their way ever deeper into critical business processes (and our daily lives). Researchers get a chance to flex their technical muscles, build some reputation, and buy some celebratory takeout. Meanwhile, Microsoft (and its hordes of customers) sleep a little easier at night, knowing that defenses are being tested by friendly fire rather than cybercriminals twirling imaginary mustaches.The message is clear: if you can outsmart AI where it matters most, you might just walk away with a reward big enough to make your digital wallet sing. So, tighten up those security skills—Microsoft’s putting real money where its AI mouth is.
Source: inkl Microsoft is paying out some huge rewards for spotting AI security issues
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