Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-CA) and Scott Taylor (R-VA) on June 6 introduced the Hack the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Act.

The bill would establish a “bug bounty” pilot program – modeled on similar programs at the U.S. Department of Defense and many technology companies – to strengthen cyber defenses at DHS. The program will allow the use of “white-hat,” or ethical hackers, to help identify unique and undiscovered vulnerabilities in the DHS networks and data systems. Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.

“There is perhaps no better way to find weaknesses in our cyber armor than to enlist the help of America’s top security researchers,” Lieu said.