Microsoft Bounty Program Achieves Record $20 Million in Awards for Security Researchers

In 2026, the Microsoft Bounty Program awarded over $20 million to 562 security researchers, marking its highest payout and participant count to date. Researchers from 64 countries contributed to identifying vulnerabilities across Microsoft products, enhancing global customer security. The program saw a significant increase in submissions, particularly in the second half of the year, indicating heightened engagement from the security research community. The Zero Day Quest event brought together researchers from 20 countries, resulting in nearly 700 vulnerability reports and $2.3 million in awards. Microsoft has expanded its vulnerability awards portfolio to include open-source software and third-party components, leading to over 300 additional reports and $800,000 in awards for previously unqualified vulnerabilities. The partnership between Microsoft and the research community is vital for addressing risks before exploitation can occur.

Key Points: • Microsoft awarded over $20 million to 562 researchers in 2026, the highest in program history. • The program recognized contributions from researchers in 64 countries, enhancing global security. • The Zero Day Quest event generated nearly 700 vulnerability reports, earning $2.3 million in awards.