Microsoft Launches Groundbreaking Hacking Event: Zero Day Quest
Microsoft is stepping up its game in cybersecurity with the announcement of Zero Day Quest, an ambitious in-person hacking event set to be the largest of its kind. This initiative builds on the company’s established bug bounty program, aiming to draw attention to and incentivize research into high-impact security vulnerabilities, particularly in the realms of cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI).
A New Era in Security Collaboration
Tom Gallagher, the VP of engineering at Microsoft’s security response center, elaborates on the event’s importance: “Zero Day Quest will offer unprecedented opportunities for security experts to engage directly with Microsoft engineers and researchers. This collaboration is about uniting the brightest minds in cybersecurity to learn from one another and fortify our defenses as a community.”
Kicking Off the Quest
The Zero Day Quest journey begins today, as Microsoft opens the floor for submissions from researchers eager to tackle significant security flaws. These submissions will not only qualify participants for potential monetary awards but also secure their spots for the main event scheduled to occur at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, in 2025.
As part of its commitment to supporting the security community, Microsoft is doubling the bounties available specifically for research on AI vulnerabilities. Additionally, participants will gain direct access to Microsoft’s AI engineers and the specialized AI Red Team — a group focused on probing the company’s AI systems to identify weaknesses.
Sharing Knowledge for Collective Growth
Vasu Jakkal, corporate vice president of security at Microsoft, emphasizes the company’s dedication to transparency. “We are committed to sharing the details of identified bugs once they are addressed. This approach enhances learning across the entire industry — because in security, we’re all in this together.” Critical vulnerabilities will be disclosed through the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) program, moving forward to ensure that Microsoft continually improves its security measures for cloud and AI services.
Prioritizing Security in a Changing Landscape
This new hacking initiative arrives on the heels of Microsoft’s largest-ever security transformation effort. Earlier in the year, the company put security at the forefront of its organizational priorities following a series of significant security issues and a critical report from the US Cyber Safety Review Board.
In tandem with Zero Day Quest, Microsoft Security Exposure Management is launching today. This tool will provide businesses with a comprehensive, graph-based overview of their login credentials, permissions, and other security elements — helping to pinpoint potential attack vectors.
Be Part of the Security Revolution
With Zero Day Quest, Microsoft demonstrates its commitment not just to its own security, but to nurturing a broader security community. The initiative encourages researchers of all backgrounds to contribute their insights toward creating a safer digital environment for everyone.
The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.
