Announcing what it calls "the first cyber bug bounty program in the history of the federal government," the Department of Defense says it's inviting hackers to test the security of its Web pages and networks.

The contest is only for "vetted hackers," the DoD says, which means that anyone hoping to find vulnerabilities in its systems will first need to pass a background check. Participants could win money and recognition for their work, the agency says.

The pilot program is slated to begin in April. And if you're wondering whether the hackers might disrupt a critical piece of the Department of Defense's infrastructure, the agency says that hackers will target a predetermined system that's not part of its critical operations.

According to a list published by the Defense Department, it currently manages 488 websites, which are devoted to everything from the 111th Attack Wing and other military units to the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.

[www.npr.org]

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I sure hope this doesn't end with the pentagon a pile of smoldering ruin

Geez.. as if they were not targeted 100% of the time by millions of bots. "Vetted Hackers"... LOLZ.

Good way to compile a data bank of future contractors with the talent needed to augment existing safeguards.

they have to crack the iPhone encryption.......

First thing I thought of after hearing about this was the government is recruiting!

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Mr. Lahey: A lot of people, don’t know how to drink. They drink against the grain of the liquor. And when you drink against the grain of the liquor? You lose.

Randy: What the @#$%& are you talking about?