13-Year-Old Dylan Joins Forces with Microsoft Security Response Center as the Youngest Security Researcher

Dylan, 13, has accomplished a remarkable achievement by becoming the youngest security researcher to work with the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC), leaving his mark on the history of cybersecurity.

His journey from tinkering with Scratch, a visual programming language for creating games, to identifying critical vulnerabilities in Microsoft products showcases a rare blend of curiosity, technical acumen, and determination.

Dylan’s early experiments with coding began as playful explorations, but by the 5th grade, he was diving into the source code of educational platforms, uncovering ways to bypass restrictions.

Though one such experiment unlocking games without completing lessons earned him a reprimand, it ignited a lifelong passion for understanding system architectures.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when his school restricted Microsoft Teams functionalities, Dylan engineered workarounds using Outlook to help classmates stay connected, demonstrating not just technical skill but also a knack for problem-solving with a purpose.

Discovering Vulnerabilities

Dylan ...