Private Disclosure
Private disclosure is a security vulnerability reporting process where researchers confidentially notify affected organizations about security flaws before making them public. It involves a coordinated timeline for fixing issues, typically allowing a reasonable period (e.g., 30-90 days) for remediation before public disclosure. This approach balances security transparency with responsible handling of sensitive information to prevent exploitation.
Developers should learn private disclosure when working on security-sensitive projects, open-source software, or products handling user data, as it helps manage vulnerabilities ethically and legally. It's crucial for compliance with bug bounty programs, security policies, and industry standards like ISO 27001, ensuring flaws are patched without exposing users to unnecessary risk during the fix period.