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Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative (ZDI), the world’s largest vendor-agnostic bug bounty program, is celebrating its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of pioneering cybersecurity through responsible vulnerability disclosure. Since its inception, ZDI has played a critical role in enhancing global digital security by incentivizing ethical hacking and delivering proactive protections against software vulnerabilities.
Trend Micro’s ZDI celebrates 20 years as the leading bug bounty program.
In 2024, ZDI disclosed 73% of all vulnerabilities, per Omdia’s report.
Virtual patches protect Trend customers 96 days before vendor updates.
ZDI’s Pwn2Own competition, launched in 2007, drives zero-day discoveries.
Over 19,000 researchers contribute to ZDI’s global vulnerability efforts.
Notable achievements include fixing Stuxnet exploits and disrupting APTs.
Launched in 2005 by TippingPoint, a division of 3Com, the Zero Day Initiative has grown into a cornerstone of global cybersecurity under Trend Micro’s stewardship since 2016. “Our top priority is empowering our customers to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. The Zero Day Initiative is one of the best tools we have to stay ahead of cybercriminals, and it’s one of a kind,” said Kevin Simzer, COO at Trend. In 2024, ZDI was responsible for 73% of all vulnerability disclosures, outpacing all other vendors combined, according to Omdia’s research. This leadership ensures that Trend customers receive virtual patches an average of 96 days before official vendor updates, providing critical protection against zero-day exploits.
ZDI’s influence extends beyond Trend Micro’s customer base, making the digital world safer for all. By incentivizing over 19,000 researchers, including 450 dedicated experts across 14 global threat centers, ZDI ensures software flaws are responsibly disclosed to vendors before threat actors can exploit them. The program’s Pwn2Own competition, started in 2007, challenges researchers to uncover zero-days in real-time, fostering innovation in cybersecurity. Recent posts on X highlight ZDI’s ongoing impact, noting its 20th anniversary celebration at BlackHat 2025 and a $1 million prize for a WhatsApp zero-click exploit at Pwn2Own Ireland.
ZDI’s contributions have reshaped cybersecurity landscapes. Key milestones include identifying a flawed patch for the Stuxnet worm’s LNK vulnerability, prompting Microsoft to issue a corrected patch five years later. Another ZDI researcher earned a $125,000 Microsoft award for uncovering a novel Internet Explorer bypass, which led to a patented technique. ZDI also discovered two zero-days in Apple’s QuickTime for Windows, resulting in Apple discontinuing the product. Additionally, ZDI’s efforts disrupted the Black Energy APT targeting Ukraine and identified a new exploit class, activation context cache poisoning, recognized at the 2023 Pwnie Awards.
ZDI’s model of financially incentivizing ethical hacking has set a global standard for responsible vulnerability disclosure. By working with vendors to fix flaws before exploitation, ZDI not only protects Trend Micro’s customers but also strengthens the broader software ecosystem. The program’s ability to uncover critical vulnerabilities, such as those in widely used products like QuickTime and Internet Explorer, demonstrates its role in mitigating risks that could impact millions of users worldwide.
Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative continues to lead the cybersecurity industry, delivering unmatched protection through its bug bounty program and ethical hacking initiatives. As it celebrates 20 years, ZDI remains a vital force in safeguarding digital infrastructure, empowering both customers and the global community against evolving cyber threats.
Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro's AI-powered cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, Trend's platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 70 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world.
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