diff --git a/src/bv_challenge/challenge/api/configs/challenge.yml b/src/bv_challenge/challenge/api/configs/challenge.yml
index c7a31cb..8bb19d6 100644
--- a/src/bv_challenge/challenge/api/configs/challenge.yml
+++ b/src/bv_challenge/challenge/api/configs/challenge.yml
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ challenge:
   n_run_per_ch: 10
   bot_timeout: 200
   # Layer 1/2 fallback score policy
-  gate_fail_score: 0.0
+  gate_fail_score: 1.0
   metrics_processor_error_score: 0.5
-  session_timeout_score: 0.0
-  runner_fail_score: 0.0
+  session_timeout_score: 1.0
+  runner_fail_score: 1.0
   # VM configuration for remote Docker build/run
   vm_endpoint: "http://bot-runner:8000"
   vm_timeout: 300
diff --git a/src/bv_challenge/challenge/api/endpoints/challenge/service.py b/src/bv_challenge/challenge/api/endpoints/challenge/service.py
index fba4dbd..03c5a7b 100644
--- a/src/bv_challenge/challenge/api/endpoints/challenge/service.py
+++ b/src/bv_challenge/challenge/api/endpoints/challenge/service.py
@@ -90,8 +90,8 @@ def get_task() -> MinerInput:
 @validate_call
 def score(miner_output: MinerOutput) -> float:
     """Build, verify, and score one miner submission."""
-    simple_bot_check_enabled = config.challenge.simple_bot_check_enabled
-    web_check_enabled = config.challenge.web_check_enabled
+    simple_bot_check_enabled = True # Hardcoded to True to ensure the simple bot check is always performed
+    web_check_enabled = True # Hardcoded to True to ensure the web check is always performed
     if not simple_bot_check_enabled and not web_check_enabled:
         raise ValueError(
             "At least one of simple_bot_check_enabled or web_check_enabled must be enabled"