“Hack the Pentagon” challenge is open for registration

The pilot program dubbed “Hack the Pentagon” has opened up for all qualified and interested applicants to register yesterday.

The program is a first of its kind is intended to “identify and resolve security vulnerabilities within Defense Department websites.”

The Department of Defense partnered with HackerOne, a reputable company based out of Silicon Valley to run the ‘Hack the Pentagon’ program.

“The program will target several DoD public websites which will be identified to the participants as the beginning of the challenge approaches,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook.

Cook ensured that the program does not involve computer systems being used for critical missions.

“This initiative will put the department’s cybersecurity to the test in an innovative, but responsible way,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter said of the program. “I encourage hackers who want to bolster our digital defenses to join the competition and take their best shot.”

Eligible participants must be a U.S. person, and must not be on the U.S. Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals list of people and organizations engaged in terrorism, drug trafficking and other crimes. U.S. citizens and companies are prohibited from doing business with listed entities.

In addition, press secretary Cook said, successful participants who submit qualifying vulnerability reports will undergo a basic criminal background screening to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Screening details will be communicated to participants in advance, he added, and participants will be able to opt out of any screening. Those who opt out of the screening will forgo bounty compensation, he said.

All applicants are encouraged to fill out the form at: https://hackerone.com/hackthepentagon