Bug Bounty programs are super cool. We have already seen them come up with bugs and loopholes that were missed by the highly proficient tech teams at companies like Microsoft, Google and Facebook. Well, the US air force is now looking to deploy some of that expertise as well and has announced a brand new bug bounty program.
The US government is already into Bug Bounty programs. For instance, the company launched Hack the Pentagon last April. However, the Air Force Bug Bounty program is unique in that it allows hackers from outside the country to participate as well.
Apart from hackers in the US, the program will also be open to folks from U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Members of the armed services can participate as well although for them, there is no bounty. It being part of their duty and stuff I suppose.
Speaking on the topic Air Force chief information security officer Peter Kim said:
This is the first time the AF has opened up our networks to such broad scrutiny. We have malicious hackers trying to get in to our systems every day. It will be nice to have friendly hackers taking a shot and, most importantly, showing us how to improve our cybersecurity and defense posture. The additional participation from our partner nations greatly widens the variety of experience available to find additional vulnerabilities.
Chris Lynch of the Defense Digital Service added:
The whole idea of ‘security through obscurity’ is completely backwards. We need to understand where our weaknesses are in order to fix them, and there is no better way than to open it up to the global hacker community.
Lynch? Has anyone seen The A Team by any chance? Clearly the folks at Defense Digital Services haven’t. Jokes apart though, the Defense Digital Service has been working hard and has a large role in opening the government to initiatives like this.
Meanwhile, if you feel you have what it takes, go register at HackerOne. Registration starts from May 15, and the contest will open on May 30. Best of luck!
