Microsoft Hails Top-tier Cybersecurity Experts from MSRC as Valuable Assets
In a significant move to acknowledge the contributions of exceptional security researchers, Microsoft has unveiled its list of Most Valuable Security Researchers (MVRs) for 2025. The global recognition honours 100 individuals who have demonstrated exceptional expertise and innovation in the field of Microsoft security products and the wider security ecosystem.
The MVR program is part of Microsoft's MVP (Most Valuable Professional) initiative, which aims to recognise community leaders who showcase deep technical expertise and contribute significantly to Microsoft technologies. The Security Researchers category within MVPs is particularly dedicated to those who excel in security research, innovation, and contributions to Microsoft security products.
To qualify for the MVR program, candidates are expected to demonstrate community impact, technical expertise, innovation, and engagement. Community impact is measured through significant influence in the security research community, as evidenced by blogs, technical talks, open source contributions, or publishing discoveries related to Microsoft security products. Technical expertise is demonstrated through a deep knowledge and practical use of Microsoft security technologies such as Microsoft Defender, Azure Security services, Microsoft 365 Security, and others. Innovation is recognized through contributions to identifying vulnerabilities, developing new security tools or techniques, or enhancing Microsoft’s security posture. Engagement is assessed through participation in or leading security-related events, workshops, or forums; mentoring others; and collaborating with Microsoft security teams for feedback or program improvements.
The MVR program uses a qualitative and quantitative point system to evaluate contributions. Points are awarded based on the volume and quality of contributions, community reach, and focus on Microsoft products. The evaluation period typically covers the past 12 months of community contributions and innovations.
This year's MVRs have been recognised in various product categories within the Microsoft security ecosystem. These include Azure Security, Microsoft 365 Security, Microsoft Defender, Security Analytics & AI, and Security Research & Tools.
In the Azure Security category, Suresh Chelladurai, Adnan, and an anonymous researcher have been recognised for their contributions to cloud security. In the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform category, Dhiral Patel, Brad Schlintz (nmdhkr), cjm00n, Kunlun Lab, Zhiniang Peng with HUST have been recognised for their contributions to business application security.
In the Office products category, 0x140ce, Haifei Li, Guang Gong, and Li Shuang lead the rankings for productivity suite security vulnerabilities. They are followed by wkai, who is in second place with 2,935 points. Adnan ranked fifth with 1,285 points, and Nan Wang (@eternalsakura13) and Ziling Chen secured seventh place with 1,000 points.
In the Windows security research category, wkai, VictorV, and another anonymous researcher have dominated. VictorV claimed the top position with 2,977.5 points. Dhiral Patel (@dhiralpatel94) earned the sixth position with 1,240 points.
The MVR program extends beyond material rewards, establishing these researchers as trusted partners in Microsoft's global security ecosystem. Each MVR will receive an exclusive MSRC swag box and digital badges for professional portfolios and social media sharing. Impact badges are awarded to researchers whose average points per valid vulnerability report reach or exceed the 90th percentile.
The MVR badge system introduces three distinct achievement categories: Accuracy, Impact, and Volume. The Accuracy badge recognizes researchers maintaining 100% validity rates in their submissions. Volume badges acknowledge researchers submitting at least five valid vulnerability reports.
The MSRC Researcher Recognition Program operates under Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure (CVD) principles, ensuring a secure and responsible disclosure process for reported vulnerabilities.
For the most current and precise details about the Microsoft 2025 MVP Security Researchers Program, including application, criteria, point systems, and category leaders, it is recommended to consult Microsoft's official MVP website and related Microsoft Security community pages or announcements typically released ahead of the award cycles.
- The individuals recognized in the security research category of Microsoft's MVP program have demonstrated excellence in cloud security, as evidenced by their contributions to enhancing Microsoft's security posture and identifying vulnerabilities in data-and-cloud-computing technologies.
- As part of their recognition, the MVRs in the Azure Security category are notably credited for their innovations in cybersecurity, particularly their efforts to ensure cloud security for Microsoft's clients through their work on security tools and techniques.
