The Ethereum Protocol Security (EPS) Research Team has announced the launch of the first Ethereum protocol Attackathon, in collaboration with Immunefi. This four-week event aims to bolster the security of the Ethereum protocol through a large-scale crowdsourced security audit competition, according to Ethereum Foundation Blog.
Help Support Ethereum Security
The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has seeded the reward pool with an initial $2 million and aims to raise over $2 million in total. The event invites the entire Ethereum community, including projects and individual developers, to participate. Contributions to the reward pool will directly enhance the security of the Ethereum ecosystem, fostering a safer environment for users and developers.
The sponsorship program will close on August 1, 2024, after which the final reward pool will be locked, and further details of the Attackathon will be announced. Community members can join the sponsorship program here.
What is an Attackathon?
The Attackathon is a time-bound audit challenge designed to strengthen the security of the Ethereum protocol. It begins with an educational phase where participants receive instruction on the protocol’s code via live technical walkthroughs and educational content from the Attackathon Academy. This phase ensures that participants are well-prepared to identify and understand potential vulnerabilities.
During the Attackathon, security researchers will actively search for vulnerabilities in the protocol’s code. They will follow specific rules set for the competition, and only impactful and rule-compliant reports will be rewarded. This phase focuses on real-time problem-solving and applying the knowledge gained during the initial phase.
After the Attackathon, Immunefi will evaluate and compile the findings into an official report. This report will detail the vulnerabilities discovered and highlight the top researchers, celebrating their contributions and expertise.
Why Collaborate with Immunefi?
Immunefi is recognized for its experience in web3 security, managing a large community of security researchers. They have protected significant user funds across various projects and have a track record of identifying and mitigating security risks.
Immunefi’s Attackathons emphasize education and community involvement. Participants benefit from a structured environment that includes live explainers on Ethereum and security, as well as educational content from the Attackathon Academy. This collaboration aims to deepen the community’s understanding of Ethereum’s code and technology while contributing to its security.
Future Security Challenges
The EF's Protocol Security Research Team is committed to ongoing security improvements. Similar Ethereum protocol security challenges are planned for every hard fork, covering changes to the codebase. These events will be organized on different platforms, providing varied opportunities for the community to engage in securing the Ethereum protocol.
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