Apple’s bug bounty program, offers up to $2 million to anyone who can identify vulnerabilities in its cloud systems and it is drawing significant attention from cybersecurity experts and students alike.
“Companies like Apple are thrilled to receive help from users or even the public to improve their systems,” said Kingston University Associate Professor Eckhard Pfluegel. “That’s why they run bounty programs—they offer insights that internal teams might overlook,” he added.
They also view bug bounty programs as valuable entry points for aspiring cybersecurity professionals. Pfluegel emphasised Kingston University’s commitment to preparing students for these challenges, through initiatives like cyber awareness day and specialised courses in ethical hacking and cryptography.
“Our Academic Center of Excellence (ACE) in cybersecurity hosted cyber awareness day in October. It wasn’t just computing students — people from across the university attended, increasing overall awareness. We’re planning even more activities and training hoping all students will attend,” he said.
“Right from the start of their courses, students are introduced to basic cyber awareness as part of their IT training, which is increasingly essential today,” he added.
Identifying security vulnerabilities in Apple’s private cloud requires a mix of technical expertise and an ethical approach. Technical skills in programming, cryptography, and network security are critical, along with practical experience in areas like ethical hacking and reverse engineering.
Dr Deepak GC said: “For bug bounty hunters, an in-depth understanding of how IT systems and networks function is essential.
“Those aiming to succeed in Apple’s program need a strong foundation in cybersecurity tools, coding, and network principles.”
GC added: “Programs like Apple’s bug bounty attract new talent to cybersecurity, helping bridge the skills gap and deepening knowledge of system vulnerabilities.”
Both GC and Pfluegel highlighted that these programs come with unique challenges. Associate professor Pfluegel points to the often-competing goals of usability and security: “Security can hinder user-friendliness, and achieving both is a challenge for companies.”
GC explained that, while bounty hunters are encouraged to probe company systems, they must not distribute or misuse the data they discover, as this would breach legal frameworks like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations).
The rise of bug bounty programs underscores a trend in the cybersecurity field—one where companies enlist ethical hackers to strengthen their systems, thereby closing cybersecurity skills gaps.
Pfluegel suggested that an independent regulatory body could enhance cybersecurity further, providing an “open, perhaps even free, framework for global security standards.”
Bug bounty programs serve as both a learning platform and a testing ground for aspiring cybersecurity experts. By offering financial rewards and unique challenges, companies like Apple continue to attract skilled researchers to cybersecurity, simultaneously fostering a new generation of digital protectors.
James Woodham
Dharmi Dave
Naomi Aldridge