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Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP)
The DoD Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) leverages the experience and knowledge of ethical hackers from around the world to improve network defenses and enhance mission assurance.
VDP Overview


Established in 2016 by the Secretary of Defense, the Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) operates to strengthen the security of the DoD Information Network (DoDIN) by providing an additional layer to the defense-in-depth cybersecurity strategy.

The DOD VDP mission is to function as the single focal point for receiving vulnerability reports and interacting with crowd-sourced cybersecurity researchers supporting the DoDIN 1. This improves network defenses and enhances mission assurance, by embracing a previously overlooked yet indispensable resource; private-sector white hat researchers. In January 2021, the DoD VDP scope was officially expanded from public facing websites to all public facing information systems throughout the DoD. This broadens the protection for the DOD attack surface and safe harbor for researchers, while providing more asset and technology security. The success of the program relies solely on expertise and support from the security researcher community which contributes to the overall security of the DoD.

DoDIN information technologies, services, and systems provide critical capabilities to all military service members, their families, veterans, DoD civilians and contractors. Ultimately, VDP will drive an increase in the DoDIN’s cyber hygiene with the objective of ensuring DoD can accomplish its mission to defend the United States of America.
 

  VDP Fact Sheet    VDP Annual Reports    VDP Bug Bytes    VDP News  
 

Defense Industrial Base Vulnerability Disclosure Program (DIB-VDP) Pilot
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vulnerabilities on DoD networks
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VDP Policy & Reporting
To read the DoD Vulnerability Disclosure Policy and to submit a vulnerability report:
 
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DIB-VDP Pilot vulnerabilities.
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VDP Capabilities
The DoD Vulnerability Disclosure Program:

• Key component of the National Cyber Strategy, Pillar II, by promoting full-lifecycle cybersecurity through the use of coordinated vulnerability disclosure, crowdsourced testing and risk assessments that improve resiliency ahead of exploitation or attack.

• Enhances the partnership between DoD and the computer security researcher community, building a positive feedback loop to enhance the DoDs security through the speedy discovery and remediation of vulnerabilities.

• Reduces the time between when a vulnerability is discovered, when the system owner is notified and when the vulnerability is successfully mitigated.

• Provides an open channel and legal safe harbor for the discoverer of the vulnerability to report it to DoD.

• Facilitates the National Defense Strategy LOE “Build a More Lethal Force” by increasing the resilience of the DoDs cyberspace assets.

• Aligns with ISO 29147:2018 and ISO 30111.