Bug Bounty from Scratch: How to Start, What to Avoid, and Land Your First Bug!

In the third episode of Cyber Hub Podcast, host Hamza Lahrach sits down with Soufiane El Habti, one of the cybersecurity researchers and bug bounty hunters, to explore the intricate world of ethical hacking. The episode delivers an extensive analysis of the world of bug bounty, where companies compensate independent security researchers to identify and disclose vulnerabilities in their online properties safely. El Habti describes how global platforms such as HackerOne, BugCrowd, and Integrity open up these programs to researchers from all over the world to join. He takes beginners through the steps of starting with public beginner programs initially before moving to private, high-risk projects requiring established reputations and specialist skills. The discussion also touches on strategic topics such as the right selection of tools, navigation of competitive environments, writing detailed and powerful vulnerability reports, and striking a balance between the technical and business sides of cybersecurity threats. This extended summary positions the bug bounty world as an unfolding nexus of technology, ethics, and cooperation necessary in creating stronger digital defences in a networked world.

El Habti also contributes to the development of Morocco’s cybersecurity landscape, pointing out pitfalls and opportunities for domestic bug bounty hunters as well. In spite of logistical hurdles, like limitations due to visa regulations to access live hacking events, the Moroccan cybersecurity landscape is vibrant and dynamic with growing expertise and activity. Referring to his own experience—first exposure to IT in a small village via his father’s shop to becoming an ethical hacker—his focus is on continuous learning, backing of communities, and strategic thinking in this line of work. The overarching message is the imperative for Moroccan businesses to adopt vulnerability disclosure and bug bounty programs as much as technical steps but as cultural investments in digital resilience. It concludes by appealing to experienced professionals to mentor next-generation talent, to businesses to embrace transparency and cooperation, and to the wider community to recognize ethical hacking as one of the most important pillars of modern cybersecurity strategy—particularly urgent as Morocco looks to improve its digital defences against evolving threats.

Chapters:
• 00:00 - Introduction
• 01:34 - Soufiane’s Background & Early Interest in Hacking
• 04:34 - What is Bug Bounty?
• 07:25 - Platforms to Get Started
• 13:08 - Choosing the Right Program & Handling Competition
• 17:39 - Public vs. Private Bug Bounty Programs
• 24:22 - Common Mistakes & Avoiding Burnout
• 27:00 - Soufiane’s First Bounty Story
• 36:17 - Soufiane’s Workflow & Reporting Process
• 53:30 - Understanding Business Impact in Bug Reports
• 54:28 - The Moroccan Cybersecurity Community
• 1:03:33 - Collaboration in Bug Bounty
• 1:08:24 - Barriers Faced by Moroccan Hackers
• 1:11:55 - Bug Bounty Culture in Moroccan Companies
• 1:20:33 - Manual vs. Automated Testing
• 1:33:52 - Building a Personal Methodology
• 1:49:15 - The Ethics & Future of Hacking
• 1:53:25 - Closing Remarks & Advice for Beginners

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