Gangtok | August 2025 — In a proud moment for Sikkim and the Indian cybersecurity community, Rivek Raj Tamang, a highly respected ethical hacker and cybersecurity researcher from Gangtok, has been awarded two Letters of Recognition by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The recognition comes as part of NASA’s Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) on Bugcrowd, a global platform where cybersecurity professionals help organizations identify and fix security flaws.
Among the issues reported by Rivek, one was classified as high-severity (P1) — indicating a critical vulnerability that could have resulted in serious consequences had it gone unaddressed. His reports were acknowledged for their precision, ethical handling, and technical depth. This is not the first time NASA has honoured his work; Rivek was previously listed in NASA’s Hall of Fame, a rare achievement for independent researchers.
Over the years, Rivek has made significant contributions to digital safety worldwide. He has helped secure the systems of over 100 international organizations, earning more than 50 awards and recognitions from leading institutions and companies. These include the World Health Organization (WHO), the US and Indian governments, cybersecurity authorities like CERT-IN and CERT-EU, and major tech firms such as Adobe and Seagate.
Beyond his individual work, Rivek is also the founder and leader of Hack-R Academy, a global ethical hacking community. Through this platform, he mentors young cybersecurity enthusiasts and promotes responsible hacking practices, knowledge sharing, and digital ethics. His efforts are helping shape the next generation of cybersecurity leaders, all while putting Sikkim on the global tech map.
