“See Something, Say Something” by Hacking DOD Networks

The Pentagon is increasing its collaboration with “hackers” who work to find security vulnerabilities by codifying a new way to tell the department about cyber?security issues. The Defense Department on Monday announced the new DOD Vulnerability Disclosure Policy, which provides legal guidance to researchers who test department networks for vulnerabilities. It represents a “see something, say something” policy aimed at encouraging researchers to tell the Pentagon about problems, according to a department release. The Pentagon earlier this year announced the “Hack the Pentagon” initiative to provide cash rewards for hackers who could find security issues in department networks. The department on Monday also announced a similar initiative specifically focusing on the Army. The “Hack the Army” program is specifically focused on operationally relevant sites, such as recruitment, the release states.