# Cathedral will use OpenAI models to test OpenAI's defenses > Source: > Published: 2026-11-03 03:07:57+00:00 # Cathedral will use OpenAI models to test OpenAI's defenses **Cathedral researchers will join OpenAI's planned security sprint. OpenAI also raised core-product critical bug bounties to as much as $30,000, with exceptional findings eligible for up to $172,000 including bonuses.** By [Ryan Merket](https://runtimewire.com/author/ryan-merket) · Published Primary source: [openai.com](https://openai.com/index/preparing-our-next-security-sprint-to-harden-openai/) ## Why it matters OpenAI is using its own models to defend its systems and paying outside researchers more to find critical flaws. OpenAI said on November 2nd that Cathedral Systems researchers will join its next internal security sprint, using OpenAI models alongside OpenAI teams to challenge the company's defenses. OpenAI announced the plan [in a thread on X](https://x.com/OpenAI/status/2117444048227123277?ref=runtimewire) and in its [security sprint post](https://openai.com/index/preparing-our-next-security-sprint-to-harden-openai/?ref=runtimewire).… When you purchase through links in our articles, [we may earn a small commission](https://runtimewire.com/affiliate-monetization-standards). This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.