The Case for Security.txt – Gigaom

In today’s cybersecurity landscape, it’s not just about having strong defenses, it’s also about building trust and partnership with the broader security community. A simple but effective way to demonstrate this openness is to implement a security.txt file. This small addition provides a clear, standardized way for security researchers to report vulnerabilities, reducing friction for those who want to help protect your organization. However, with only 4% of Fortune 500 companies currently using this technology, this absence may send the wrong message.

1. Simple steps bring immediate benefits

The value of a security.txt file is immediate and tangible. It creates a single, accessible point of contact for security researchers who may discover vulnerabilities and need to report them quickly. In a world of ever-evolving threats, the last thing you want is for helpful researchers to hit a roadblock in contacting your security team. This is a low-cost, high-impact approach that enhances your response capabilities and streamlines incident reporting.

Even if your company doesn’t have a formal bug bounty program, a security.txt file allows you to welcome and take action on external security revelations. It’s about setting the right tone and showing that your organization values ​​security contributions from the outside.

2. Balanced Disclosure Rewards: When and How to Communicate

For companies that do offer incentives for disclosure, a security.txt file can serve as a transparent way to communicate program details or signal openness to the possibility of incentives. If your bug bounty program is public, please include it here so that researchers immediately understand how they are compensated. But if your approach is more flexible, consider a simple statement such as “Contact for information about disclosure incentives,” which demonstrates a willingness to discuss terms without committing to a strict structure.

This approach allows you to express interest without limiting options and lets researchers know that their contributions are appreciated, even if no structured reward is defined.

3. Lack of Security.txt: Missed opportunity for community trust

The absence of a security.txt file is not just a technical omission, it may indicate an unwillingness to work with the security community. By skipping this simple step, companies may inadvertently send the message that they don’t value the efforts of ethical hackers, researchers, and white hats who can help protect their systems. In a world where collaboration is critical to a resilient security posture, sending such a message is costly.

This is especially true as your organization matures. For companies with a strong security posture (a cumulative score of 2.0 or above on a framework such as NIST or MITER), the lack of a security.txt file becomes more difficult to justify. As your security capabilities continue to grow, consider how this small addition can enhance your reputation and reflect a commitment to open, constructive partnerships with the community.

Conclusion: Strengthening security through openness and trust

Adopting a security.txt file does more than establish a point of contact; it clearly demonstrates your organization’s stance on collaborative security. When you establish a clear, open vulnerability reporting pipeline, you reinforce the message that ethical researchers are welcome and valued. It’s an inexpensive way to foster trust, increase transparency, and comply with security governance best practices.

If your organization has not yet implemented a security.txt file, consider the message the file might send. In a time when trust is crucial, small steps like this can have a huge impact. Don’t let negligence be mistaken for indifference – take advantage of opportunities to show your commitment to safety and community.

Considering adding a security.txt file or want to explore more ways to strengthen your security program? Reach out – We’re here to help your organization acquire and implement security best practices.

Figure 1. The Twitter post that inspired this blog