Microsoft has raised the stakes for its flagship security competition, announcing that the prize pool for the 2025 Zero Day Quest hacking contest will be increased to $5 million. This represents the largest reward the company has ever offered for a public security research event, surpassing last year’s total by $1 million. The move underscores Microsoft’s commitment to attracting top security talent and driving innovation in vulnerability research.
Zero Day Quest is designed to engage global security researchers in identifying and responsibly disclosing critical vulnerabilities across Microsoft’s cloud and AI-powered services. The expanded focus areas include Azure, Copilot, Dynamics 365, the Power Platform, and other key Microsoft ecosystem technologies. The event is structured around two core components: an open Research Challenge accessible to the broader security community and an exclusive, invite-only Live Hacking Event for elite participants.
By substantially increasing the prize pool, Microsoft aims to incentivize breakthrough research and demonstrate the company’s dedication to proactive defense amid rising cyber threats. This initiative is part of the company’s broader Secure Future Initiative, which prioritizes deep collaborations with researchers and rapid remediation of high-impact vulnerabilities.
The Zero Day Quest offers researchers from around the world an unprecedented opportunity to collaborate directly with Microsoft engineers, contribute to securing platforms that power critical business and government operations, and earn significant financial rewards for their expertise. Details on event participation and submission guidelines are available through the Microsoft Security Response Center.
