Due to the recent hacking incident initiated by some Rustock Botnet, Microsoft has designed a contest entitled Microsoft BlueHat Prize contest where all professionals or hobbyists in the field of software security and of legal age are encouraged to take part on this contest. The contest’s main objective is to innovate defensive security technology for various serious computer security threats and exploitation.

Microsoft BlueHat Prize contest is open to all professionals or hobbyists in the field of software security. Entries must be emailed to bluehatprize @microsoft.com. Acceptance of entries are from August 3, 2011 up to midnight, Pacific Time, of April 1, 2012. The most innovative security technology chosen by the Microsoft BlueHat Prize board will receive the grand prize of US $200,000. $50,000 is for the second prize and MSDN Universal subscription valued at $10,000 (USD) for the third prize. The winning solution will be announced at BlueHat USA 2012.

Technical requirements for your entries are on their rules and regulations. There are some countries that are not eligible for this contest, a list of this countries are in its rules and regulations as well. For the full details of Microsoft BlueHat Prize contest please refer to its rules and regulations.