Tech Security
Microsoft has announced a bug bounty program for its open-source election software application ElectionGuard, allowing scientists to uncover vulnerabilities and assist boost election security.
Available as a software application development package (SDK), ElectionGuard aims to make ballot tamper-proof by leveraging encryption to “make it possible for a brand-new period of secure, verifiable voting.” It likewise permits individual voters to verify that their votes were properly counted.
” Security scientists play an essential function in the ecosystem by finding and reporting vulnerabilities to Microsoft through collaborated vulnerability disclosure,” the Windows maker stated.
The bug bounty offers security professionals, part-time enthusiasts, and students a benefit of approximately $15,000 for eligible submissions with a clear and succinct proof of concept (POC) that shows how the discovered high effect vulnerability could have an impact on the security of its users.
ElectionGuard was officially launched in May, and last month, the business announced its basic accessibility, making it possible for innovation suppliers to incorporate the software application into their ballot systems.
To that effect, the business is working with election maker vendors and regional governments to deploy the system in a pilot program for the upcoming 2020 United States election.
The move is also part of the tech giant’s broader efforts under the “ Protecting Democracy Program” that seeks to secure political campaigns from cyber threats and resist disinformation operations.
Microsoft has actually consistently worried the function of tech market in securing electoral procedures, specifying “attending to this threat to democracy will require substantial brand-new efforts by federal governments, innovation business […] in addition to academic community and civil society.” So, it’s good to see the company attempting to get this right.
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