Live hacking events have been a significant part of HackerOne’s culture since 2016. While the HackerOne platform connects hackers and customers online daily, bringing them together in person in various cities worldwide creates a unique and powerful collaborative experience. This year’s h1-415 event, the first live hacking event of 2019, exemplified the spirit of teamwork and shared success. Partnering with Airbnb and Verizon Media, HackerOne facilitated vulnerability discovery, mentorship opportunities, and community celebration over three days leading up to BSides SF and RSA conferences.
On the first day of the event, Airbnb, a bug bounty veteran since 2015, hosted the participants at their San Francisco headquarters. The event marked Airbnb’s second live hacking event, with over 250 hackers submitting 153 reports. A unique focus was placed on enhancing hacker diversity by inviting female hackers with basic skills to join mentors and seasoned professionals in hacking activities. The involvement of women hackers reached an impressive 15% of the total attendees, a significant milestone for HackerOne.
During the day, several hackers were recognized for their outstanding performance. Notable awards included The Vigilante awarded to @erbbysam, The Exalted to @rhynorater, The Exterminator to @smsecurity, and The Assassin to @cablej. Nearly all participants received bounties, showcasing the success and inclusivity of the event.
The following day featured a Community Day and Hacker Mentorship Program, where top hackers engaged with students from Hack the Hood, a non-profit organization focusing on creating technical job opportunities for local youth of color. The event included a hacker-career panel discussion and a hacking 101 workshop led by industry experts.
Verizon Media took the spotlight on the third day of the event, hosting their second annual live hacking event, which saw hackers receiving over $128,000 in rewards for 58 reports. The collaboration between hackers and Verizon Media’s security team, known as the Paranoids, highlighted the value of live hacking events in strengthening bug bounty programs and fostering a culture of collaboration.
As the event came to a close, outstanding hackers were acknowledged for their exceptional contributions, with @erbbysam earning the title of Most Valuable Hacker. The event also featured the induction of new members into the H1-Elite distinguished comic book cover club, celebrating the heroic efforts of talented hackers within the community.
The live hacking event not only showcased the technical prowess of hackers but also emphasized the importance of collaboration and diversity in the cybersecurity industry. The success of h1-415 underscored the value of bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and skill sets to solve complex cybersecurity challenges and drive innovation in the field.
Overall, the event was a testament to the power of collaboration and community spirit in driving progress and excellence in the cybersecurity space. With continued support from organizations like Airbnb and Verizon Media, HackerOne looks forward to hosting more successful live hacking events worldwide, uniting talented hackers and security professionals to tackle emerging cybersecurity threats and advance the field of ethical hacking.