What is VDP and what are its advantages?

In the current landscape of cybersecurity, the VDP - Vulnerability Disclosure Program has become an essential standard to demonstrate an organization's public commitment to a mature security posture.

This is because investing in methods to combat digital vulnerabilities is crucial to protect the integrity of corporate systems. After all, cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and accelerated digital transformation requires companies to adopt robust security practices to safeguard their sensitive data.

Additionally, data theft is already a concern being addressed at government levels, and with the implementation of the LGPD (General Data Protection Law), investing in methods for identifying flaws is considered fundamental for many companies.

However, do you really know what VDP is? How can it help your company protect against cyberattacks? What distinguishes it from other methods, such as Bug Bounty programs?

Continue reading this article to discover the main characteristics of this method and how it can fit the information security needs within your company.

What is VDP - Vulnerability Disclosure Program? The Vulnerability Disclosure Program, or VDP, is a digital channel that allows the receipt of bugs and vulnerabilities, similar to traditional online reporting spaces but focused on cybersecurity.

In other words, a platform is used to receive bugs and vulnerabilities found, with further information provided through reports, allowing for a more expedited and organized process of fixing the identified flaws.

VDPs can offer clearer instructions to information security researchers on how to report a discovered vulnerability. In most cases, these hackers can track the handling of the reported issue.

A Public-Facing Model The VDP is aimed at the public, disclosing which endpoints, websites, and applications accept reports and the types of recognized vulnerabilities. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to cybersecurity and prevents vulnerabilities from being disclosed without authorization.

What are the benefits of VDP? Here are some of the benefits of VDP:

Transparency and Trust Implementing a VDP shows that the company is committed to security and transparency, increasing trust among customers and partners. The openness to receive vulnerability reports demonstrates a proactive and responsible approach to cybersecurity.

Engagement from the Security Community By allowing the cybersecurity community to participate in identifying vulnerabilities, the company benefits from the collective expertise of security researchers, also known as hackers. This significantly enhances the ability to detect and rectify flaws that might go unnoticed internally.

Cost Predictability Unlike Bug Bounty programs, which we will discuss later, VDP does not involve variable financial rewards. This provides greater cost predictability, making it an attractive option for companies wishing to maintain a fixed cybersecurity budget.

Continuous Improvement The detailed reports provided through the VDP allow for an in-depth analysis of vulnerabilities, enabling the implementation of continuous improvements in the company’s security systems.

Differences Between Bug Bounty and VDP There are several differences between these two methods:

Monetary Reward Bug Bounty offers cash payments, incentivizing experts to conduct thorough tests on partner companies’ systems. In VDP, there are no financial rewards, although companies can publicly thank experts and promote them to a hall of fame.

Public or Private Participation Bug Bounty can be public or private, allowing companies to decide whether to open the program to everyone or just selected experts. VDP, on the other hand, is public.

Cost Predictability As mentioned earlier, VDP offers more cost predictability since there are no variable rewards. This can be a decisive factor for companies with tighter budgets.

Read also: How Bug Bounty Contributes to a Secure Internet?

VDP or Bug Bounty: Which to Choose? Both methods are effective in protecting your company against digital vulnerabilities. The choice between VDP and Bug Bounty should consider the specific goals and needs of the company.

VDP: Ideal for Companies Seeking Predictability and Transparency If a company seeks cost predictability and wants to demonstrate public transparency in its cybersecurity efforts, VDP is the ideal choice. It offers a structured and open channel for reporting vulnerabilities, allowing the security community to contribute to the company’s protection. Also known as CVD - Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure, it is one of the main methods for elevating cybersecurity maturity and can be an excellent first step toward evolving into a bug bounty program.

Bug Bounty: Perfect for Specific Objectives and In-Depth Analyses For companies looking to encourage deeper and more detailed analyses of vulnerabilities, Bug Bounty is the best option. The possibility of financial rewards attracts experts who can provide valuable insights and quick solutions for identified flaws.

It’s also worth considering the possibility of using both strategies in combination. While VDP can serve as a continuous and open channel for reporting vulnerabilities, Bug Bounty can be implemented to focus on critical areas or new system launches. This hybrid approach maximizes security by leveraging the strengths of both methods to create a more robust and comprehensive cybersecurity defense.

BugHunt: Your Platform for Security and Bug Rewards BugHunt is a trusted partner in cybersecurity for companies across various sectors.

Using a collaborative platform, we facilitate the identification of vulnerabilities, providing valuable guidance for Information Security teams and helping companies maximize their security investments.

With a constant commitment to excellence and innovation, we are a reference in Bug Bounty, assisting companies and organizations in strengthening their defenses against digital threats.

And in addition to Bug Bounty, we offer the VDP solution on our platform, from which your company can achieve immediate results by following these four steps:

1. Create your account: Get ready to use an innovative Information Security service. We act as an extension of your team, offering deep security knowledge.
2. Create your program: After your account is created, it’s time to set up your VDP program on BugHunt!
3. Define your program metrics: Now is the moment to define the metrics (scope, policy, etc.) for your program to succeed.
4. Publish your program and await bug hunters: Publish your program, invite bug hunters you would like to participate in your scope, and then just wait for the results!

To learn more about our solutions, talk to our specialists!