Case Study: Nextcloud achieves hacker-powered, GDPR-ready security and sub‑1‑hour vulnerability response with HackerOne

Nextcloud Builds HackerPowered Security into their Business by Design

Nextcloud, a Stuttgart-based provider of self-hosted file sync and collaboration software, built its market position around security, privacy and control. The challenge was proving and delivering enterprise-grade security and GDPR compliance with a small in-house team, without inflating headcount, while giving customers confidence that their data and metadata remain protected.

To solve this, Nextcloud launched a HackerOne bounty program (June 2016) to supplement its security team, establish a fast triage process and get continuous external scrutiny. The program—initially private, later expanded—helped resolve 100+ vulnerabilities, maintain an average response time under one hour, and deliver cost-effective, demonstrable security that strengthened customer trust, GDPR posture and competitive differentiation.

Nextcloud

Frank Karlitschek

Founder and Managing Director