# Combining Pentesting and Bug Bounty Programs for Robust Cybersecurity

Companies that conduct pentesting can significantly enhance their security posture by integrating bug bounty programs. While pentests offer structured, time-bound assessments, bug bounty programs provide continuous testing from a global community of ethical hackers. This dual approach helps uncover a broader range of vulnerabilities, including those that might be missed in a limited pentest.

Additionally, a Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) is essential for organizations serious about cybersecurity. A VDP allows security researchers to report vulnerabilities responsibly, reducing the risk of public exploits.

You Should Know:

1. Pentesting vs. Bug Bounty Programs

• Pentesting:
• Conducted by a limited team.
• Time-constrained (e.g., 1-2 weeks).
• Follows a predefined scope.
• Best for compliance (e.g., PCI DSS, ISO 27001).

• Bug Bounty Programs:

• Crowdsourced security testing.
• Continuous vulnerability discovery.
• Pay-per-bug model (cost-effective for critical flaws).
• Uncovers unique attack vectors.

2. Setting Up a Bug Bounty Program

• Platforms to Use:
• HackerOne
• Bugcrowd

• OpenBugBounty

• Key Steps:

  </p></li>
  </ul>
  
  <h1>Define scope (domains, subdomains, apps)</h1>
  
  <p>scope="*.example.com"
  
  <h1>Set bounty rules (e.g., critical: $5000, high: $2000)</h1>
  
  echo "Bounty Policy: Critical - \$5000, High - \$2000" > policy.md
  
  <h1>Launch on HackerOne/Bugcrowd</h1>
  
  hackerone-cli program create --name "Example Corp Bounty" --policy policy.md
  

  3. Essential VDP Setup

  A Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) ensures safe reporting:

  • Steps to Implement:

    </li>
    </ul>
    
    <h1>Create a security.txt file (RFC 9116)</h1>
    
    echo "Contact: [email protected]" > /.well-known/security.txt
    echo "Policy: https://example.com/security-policy" >> /.well-known/security.txt
    

    4. Linux Commands for Security Testing

    • Network Scanning (Nmap):

      nmap -sV -T4 -p- example.com -oN scan_results.txt
      

    • Automated Vulnerability Scanning (Nikto):

      nikto -h example.com -output nikto_scan.html
      

    • Web App Testing (OWASP ZAP):

      zap-cli quick-scan -o -r report.html https://example.com
      

    5. Windows Security Commands

    • Check Open Ports:

      Test-NetConnection -ComputerName example.com -Port 443
      

    • Patch Management:

      Get-HotFix | Sort-Object InstalledOn -Descending | Select-Object -First 10
      

    What Undercode Say

    Combining pentesting and bug bounty programs creates a multi-layered defense strategy. While pentests ensure compliance and structured assessments, bug bounties bring continuous, real-world testing. A VDP further strengthens security by encouraging ethical disclosures.

    For security teams, automation is key:

    • Use Nmap, Nikto, Metasploit for reconnaissance.
    • Deploy SIEM tools (Splunk, ELK) for log analysis.
    • Monitor CVE databases (e.g., NVD).

    Expected Output:

    A resilient security framework that adapts to evolving threats through automated scans, crowdsourced testing, and responsible disclosures.

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    References:

    Reported By: Jacknunz Companies – Hackers Feeds
    Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
    Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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