Fortinet & Crime Stoppers launch global cybercrime bounty scheme

Fortinet and Crime Stoppers International have launched a global Cybercrime Bounty program designed to encourage anonymous reporting of cybercriminal activity and boost efforts against digital threats. The initiative offers financial rewards for information tipped anonymously through Crime Stoppers International, with Fortinet handling the verification and onward delivery of relevant intelligence to law enforcement agencies.

Anonymous channels

The program provides citizens and ethical hackers with a secure and anonymous channel to submit tips regarding cyber threats. Crime Stoppers International is leveraging its existing infrastructure for secure and confidential public reporting. Information submitted through this channel will be validated and analysed by Fortinet's threat intelligence team.

Where appropriate, verified threat intelligence will be sent to law enforcement for investigation and prosecution. The goal is to create reliable pathways for actionable intelligence while maintaining anonymity for those providing information.

Partnership approach

The project marks a new partnership between the cyber security company and the crime reporting non-profit. Combining their respective resources aims to foster faster disruption of cyber threats and assist law enforcement on a global scale. The approach prioritises transparency, accountability, and coordinated response to cybercrime.

"At Crime Stoppers International, we have a proud history of giving communities a safe and anonymous way to report crime. Cybercrime is borderless, fast-moving, and increasingly sophisticated. Tackling it requires collective intelligence and broad participation. Through this partnership with Fortinet, we are creating a powerful bridge between communities and cybersecurity experts. This initiative will make it easier than ever to responsibly disclose information on cyberthreats to bring accountability to cybercrime and subsequently strengthen digital resilience worldwide," said Hayley van Loon, CEO, Crime Stoppers International.

Supporting resilience

The bounty initiative is being positioned as a step towards improving cyber resilience for both organisations and governments worldwide. The partners say it complements existing public-private sector collaborations aimed at detecting and deterring illicit online activity at scale. Fortinet will apply its expertise in automated threat intelligence and global cyber monitoring to accelerate the process of turning reports into actionable intelligence.

Collective effort

The program also highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in cyber security. With increasing numbers of large-scale cyberattacks affecting both critical infrastructure and individuals, Fortinet and Crime Stoppers International argue that "no organisation can solve the problem alone."

Hayley van Loon said, "Teamwork is critical to counter cybercriminals. Cybercrime is not a problem any one organisation can solve alone; it requires continuous intelligence sharing, education, and a commitment to public-private cooperation at scale. This collaboration with CSI creates a Cybercrime Bounty initiative built to continue scaling deterrence."

Wider landscape

The Cybercrime Bounty program follows a wider industry shift towards reward-based reporting to combat the increasing sophistication and cross-border nature of cybercrime. The initiative will operate alongside law enforcement bodies and aims to align with best practice around secure reporting and data privacy.

According to the initiative partners, strengthening accountability and transparency is central to the scheme, deterring aspiring cybercriminals as well as disrupting established networks. The effort draws on Fortinet's experience in multi-sector coordination and incorporates lessons learned from previous collaborations in the global security community.

Fortinet has also indicated that related efforts include active participation in multi-sector alliances such as the World Economic Forum's Cybercrime Atlas, which documents the impact of shared intelligence and coordinated disruption of cybercriminal networks globally.

"This first-of-its kind Cybercrime Bounty program will demonstrate how collaboration can accelerate innovation, intelligence sharing, coordinated response, and tangible accountability results, driving real cybercrime deterrence and disruption," said van Loon.