Digital illustration of an artificial bug within a computer system.

Artificial Bugs: Can They Fix Crowdsearch Cybersecurity?

Avery Sinclair in Tech & Innovation December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Dive into how 'artificial bugs' can revolutionize crowdsearch in cybersecurity, making it more efficient and effective."

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, companies are constantly seeking innovative ways to protect their systems from vulnerabilities. One increasingly popular method is the bug bounty program, where external security researchers are invited to probe software and report any weaknesses in exchange for rewards. These programs, also known as crowdsourced security initiatives, have become a major asset for governments, tech giants, and blockchain companies alike.

Bug bounty programs are beneficial, and necessary, even when companies have robust internal security teams. For blockchain infrastructure providers, these programs are particularly critical because deployed software upgrades are difficult to reverse, and legal recourse is limited. A major protocol change, or hard fork, is often the only way to address vulnerabilities, making proactive security measures essential.

Now, researchers are suggesting that programs be augmented by 'artificial bugs'—intentional vulnerabilities inserted to boost incentives for finding real, or 'organic,' bugs. This article delves into how this approach can optimize crowdsearch efforts, making them more efficient and financially viable.

How Artificial Bugs Can Boost Cybersecurity

Digital illustration of an artificial bug within a computer system.

The concept of artificial bugs is rooted in a model of crowdsearch. Imagine a scenario where security researchers with varying skill levels decide whether to invest the effort to search for vulnerabilities. The organization values the discovery of these vulnerabilities and offers rewards accordingly. By strategically inserting artificial bugs, the organization can fine-tune incentives and motivate more participants to join the search for real bugs.

A key finding from the research is that it may only be necessary to insert a single artificial bug to reap substantial benefits. The ability to adjust the complexity of artificial bugs allows organizations to motivate more participants to search for organic bugs, optimizing the return on investment.

Enhanced Incentives: Artificial bugs can be strategically designed to attract researchers and increase overall participation.
Cost-Effectiveness: By optimizing the number and complexity of artificial bugs, organizations can lower their financial commitment while achieving better results.
Improved Efficiency: Artificial bugs can help focus the search efforts of researchers, leading to more efficient detection of critical vulnerabilities.

Artificial bugs are particularly beneficial when the organization places a high value on finding organic bugs, when such bugs are likely to exist, or when the budget for bounty programs is limited. This makes them a versatile tool for a wide range of cybersecurity scenarios.

The Future of Bug Bounty Programs

The integration of artificial bugs into bug bounty programs represents a significant step forward in cybersecurity. By carefully considering the design and implementation of these artificial vulnerabilities, organizations can create more effective, efficient, and engaging crowdsearch initiatives. As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, such innovative approaches will be essential for staying one step ahead of malicious actors and ensuring the safety and security of digital systems.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.09484,

Title: Artificial Bugs For Crowdsearch

Subject: econ.th cs.cr

Authors: Hans Gersbach, Fikri Pitsuwan, Pio Blieske

Published: 14-03-2024

Everything You Need To Know

What are 'artificial bugs' and how do they work in cybersecurity?

'Artificial bugs' are intentionally introduced vulnerabilities within software or systems, designed to enhance cybersecurity crowdsearch initiatives. Their primary function is to incentivize security researchers to participate in bug bounty programs. By incorporating artificial bugs, organizations can fine-tune incentives, encouraging more researchers to actively search for real, or 'organic,' bugs. The strategic placement and design of these artificial vulnerabilities can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of vulnerability detection efforts.

How do 'artificial bugs' improve bug bounty programs?

Artificial bugs enhance bug bounty programs in several ways. First, they act as a form of incentive, attracting a larger pool of security researchers due to the increased potential for rewards. Second, they can optimize the allocation of resources by helping focus the search efforts of researchers, leading to a more efficient discovery of critical vulnerabilities. Finally, they offer cost-effectiveness, particularly when organizations have limited budgets, by strategically adjusting the number and complexity of artificial bugs to achieve optimal results. This is particularly important for entities like blockchain companies which have a lot to lose from vulnerabilities in their deployed software.

Why are 'artificial bugs' particularly beneficial for blockchain companies?

For blockchain companies, the use of 'artificial bugs' is exceptionally valuable because of the nature of blockchain technology. Once software upgrades are deployed, they are challenging to reverse. The recourse in case of vulnerabilities is limited. A major protocol change, or 'hard fork,' is often the only way to address these issues. This makes proactive security measures, like bug bounty programs enhanced by 'artificial bugs,' critical. They help ensure that vulnerabilities are identified and addressed before they can be exploited, thus safeguarding the integrity and security of the blockchain infrastructure.

What are the key benefits of using 'artificial bugs' in crowdsearch cybersecurity?

The advantages of integrating 'artificial bugs' in crowdsearch cybersecurity are multifold. They enhance incentives, drawing more security researchers to participate in bug bounty programs. Organizations can also lower their financial commitment while achieving improved outcomes. This strategic approach increases the efficiency of vulnerability detection, as researchers focus their efforts more effectively. These benefits are especially prominent when there is a high value placed on finding organic bugs, when such bugs are likely to exist, and when budget constraints are present. This versatility makes artificial bugs a potent tool in a range of cybersecurity scenarios.

How can organizations decide on the number and complexity of 'artificial bugs' to deploy?

Organizations can determine the optimal number and complexity of 'artificial bugs' by considering several factors. Research suggests that it may only be necessary to insert a single artificial bug to achieve substantial benefits. The key is to strategically design and implement these vulnerabilities to attract researchers and increase overall participation. The complexity of the artificial bugs should be adjustable to match the skills of the researchers, optimizing the return on investment. The goal is to create a balance that motivates researchers to actively search for real, or 'organic,' bugs without overspending on the bounty program. This careful calibration ensures cost-effectiveness and improved efficiency in identifying critical vulnerabilities.