Desired Effect Opens Early Access for Hacker Summer Camp Attendees to Join Cybersecurity’s First Ethical Vulnerability Brokerage
Desired Effect, a groundbreaking vulnerability management exchange, is set to transform the cybersecurity landscape by offering independent researchers fairer compensation and defenders access to actionable threat intelligence. The company is granting early access to select vulnerability researchers attending this year’s Hacker Summer Camp in Las Vegas, which includes major cybersecurity conferences such as Black Hat, DEFCON, BlackGirlsHack, and BSides Las Vegas. Researchers can secure their spot by booking an in-person meeting with Desired Effect during the event via this link. For those unable to attend, joining the waitlist for general availability is available at https://app.desiredeffect.io/join.
This initiative marks a pivotal moment in the cybersecurity industry, introducing the first ethical brokerage designed to bridge the gap between researchers and defenders. By providing a platform where researchers can monetize their discoveries fairly and defenders gain access to critical, actionable insights, Desired Effect aims to disrupt the traditional imbalance that has long favored attackers.
Bridging the Gap Between Researchers and Defenders
The Desired Effect Brokerage was founded by a team of former National Security Agency (NSA) cyber experts with a mission to empower both researchers and defenders. For researchers, the platform offers an ethical marketplace where they can sell their findings directly to vetted buyers, including tech giants from the financial and eCommerce sectors. This ensures that researchers receive market-appropriate recognition and compensation for their work, addressing a longstanding issue in the cybersecurity community.
For defenders, the platform provides a revolutionary bidding system that grants access to real-time research data on emerging zero-day exploits. These insights are tailored to the specific technologies used by subscribing organizations, enabling defenders to identify and mitigate risks before attacks occur. Unlike traditional threat intelligence, which often lacks actionable value, Desired Effect delivers precise, operational data that allows defenders to act swiftly and effectively.
One satisfied subscriber shared, “The pain of threat intel is that it’s damn near impossible to make operational. When you get something from Desired Effect, you know it’s actionable, not academic.”
How Desired Effect Disrupts the Status Quo
Today’s cybersecurity ecosystem often leaves defenders playing catch-up while attackers profit handsomely from pre-attack zero-day exploits. This dynamic has created a significant imbalance, with adversaries enjoying perpetual first-mover advantages and low operating costs that allow them to thrive through theft and exploitation. Desired Effect seeks to level the playing field by flipping this model on its head.
“Today, attackers profit richly from pre-attack zero-day exploits, leaving defenders in a constant reaction mode,” said Evan Dornbush, CEO of Desired Effect. “Desired Effect disrupts this broken model with the only ethical brokerage providing vetted organizations with pre-attack intelligence on existing zero-day risks highly relevant to their specific tech stacks – even acquiring exploits themselves to proactively defend. The Brokerage empowers defenders to act before the attack and supports more just compensation and recognition for researchers doing the grueling work of discovery. As a top-line benefit, it also drives up adversaries’ costs and levels the cyber warfare playing field.”
By creating a marketplace where vulnerabilities are responsibly disclosed and addressed, Desired Effect strips attackers of their traditional advantages. The platform incentivizes researchers to share their findings ethically, ensuring that critical vulnerabilities are mitigated before they can be weaponized. At the same time, it enables defenders to proactively strengthen their security posture, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks.
A Win-Win for Researchers and Defenders
For researchers, Desired Effect represents a long-overdue shift toward equitable recognition and compensation. Historically, many independent researchers have struggled to monetize their discoveries or receive proper acknowledgment for their contributions. The platform addresses these challenges by connecting researchers with organizations willing to pay fair market value for their expertise. Additionally, researchers who join during the early access phase will have the opportunity to begin selling their capabilities immediately to a pool of vetted buyers, accelerating their impact and rewards.
Defenders, meanwhile, gain access to unparalleled insights into pre-emergent threats. By leveraging the platform’s tailored bidding pools, organizations can acquire deep, real-time research data on vulnerabilities that pose the greatest risk to their unique technology stacks. This proactive approach allows defenders to prioritize resources, implement protective measures, and stay ahead of potential attacks. The result is a more resilient cybersecurity posture that benefits both individual organizations and the broader digital ecosystem.
Why Hacker Summer Camp Matters
Hacker Summer Camp serves as the perfect backdrop for Desired Effect’s launch. With thousands of cybersecurity professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts converging in Las Vegas, the event fosters collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing within the industry. By offering early access registration to attendees, Desired Effect is tapping into a vibrant community of experts who are passionate about advancing cybersecurity and addressing its most pressing challenges.
Researchers attending the event can schedule in-person meetings with Desired Effect to learn more about the platform and apply for early access. Those unable to attend can still join the waitlist to be notified when the product becomes widely available. This dual approach ensures that the platform reaches a diverse audience of stakeholders committed to improving cybersecurity outcomes.
About Desired Effect
Desired Effect provides all members with the earliest possible warning of vulnerabilities that could impact business operations via the technology they use, and the option to remove exploits from circulation. It provides researchers with the world’s first open, ethical marketplace.
Desired Effect normalizes the research, discovery and procurement of zero-day exploit data and, if desired, the exploits themselves. It provides legitimate and legal means for researchers and defender organizations to transact and collaborate.
