Over $250,000 in Prizes for Next Gen Security Technology - Microsoft BlueHat Contest

Microsoft admits that its latest initiative designed to fuel next generation security technologies is a rather unconventional tactic, but maybe unconventional is just what’s needed to catalyze the creation of innovative runtime mitigation solutions capable of bulletproofing software against exploits designed to target memory safety vulnerabilities.

The Redmond company announced the BlueHat Prize on August 3rd, 2011, and already gave green light to submissions. According to the software giant, participants have until Sunday, April 1, 2012 to submit their project for the contest. Winners will be announced at Black Hat 2012.

The grand prize consists of no less than $200,000, and will not only need to be functional, but also practical, robust, and actually have an impact on increasing the level of protection for users.

Microsoft indicates that it’s considering using the Black Hat Prize winning projects in order to push Windows security to the next level, as well as to help increase the protection that applications running on the operating system offer users.

“As the risk of criminal attacks on private and government computer systems continues to increase, Microsoft recognizes the need to stimulate research in the area of defensive computer security technology,” said Matt Thomlinson, general manager, Trustworthy Computing Group, Microsoft.

“Our interest is to promote a focus on developing innovative solutions rather than discovering individual issues. We believe the BlueHat Prize can catalyze defensive efforts to help mitigate entire classes of attacks.”

The BlueHat Prize contest second place comes with a $50,000 cash reward, with Microsoft also ready to celebrate the third place with a MSDN Universal subscription worth $10,000.

Microsoft has set up the http://www.BlueHatPrize.com website for the contest, and those interested in participating will find the official rules and regulations on the site.

“Microsoft wants to encourage more security experts to think about ways to reduce threats to computing devices,” added Katie Moussouris, senior security strategist lead for the Microsoft Security Response Center.

“We’re looking to collaborate with others to build solutions to tough industry problems. We believe the BlueHat Prize will encourage the world’s most talented researchers and academics to tackle key security challenges and offer them a chance to impact the world.”