The Pentagon is asking hackers to break into its government systems

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

published 2 March 2016

The Pentagon announced Wednesday that it's putting its cybersecurity to the test by inviting thousands of vetted hackers to try to break into its government systems as part of its "Hack the Pentagon" initiative. The first such program ever developed by the federal government will be modeled after similar competitions known as "bug bounties" used by companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo to spot security problems or software flaws before they're discovered by malicious hackers.

Though the Pentagon has its own team of security experts testing out networks, it hopes the program will make hackers less hesitant to "disclose known vulnerabilities in systems out of a fear of reprisal" and that the addition of outside eyes will allow it to better spot security issues. Last year alone, the U.S. government faced cyberattacks from Russian hackers and hackers linked to the Chinese government.

While "bug bounties" often offer rewards ranging from $100,000 to $3 million, the Pentagon says it's still working out whether the competition will include monetary prizes. Details and rules are still being finalized, but Reuters reports participants must be U.S. citizens and that they will be submitted to a background check. Particularly sensitive networks will not be included in the competition.