White-Hat Negotiation

Definition ∞ White-Hat Negotiation refers to the ethical practice of security researchers or ethical hackers discovering vulnerabilities in systems and then responsibly disclosing them to the affected parties. Instead of exploiting flaws for malicious gain, these “white-hat” actors work with organizations to fix security issues. This process often involves discussions and agreements on vulnerability disclosure.
Context ∞ White-Hat Negotiation is a vital component of cybersecurity within the blockchain and cryptocurrency space, where smart contract vulnerabilities can lead to substantial financial losses. A key discussion involves establishing clear protocols for responsible disclosure and appropriate compensation for security researchers. Future developments will likely include more formalized bug bounty programs and collaborative efforts to enhance the security of decentralized applications.