Jim Michaels

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is inviting "vetted" hackers to try and break into the military's network as part of a program to test the vulnerability of the system, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

Hackers who want to participate will be required to submit to a background check before being allowed to join the effort.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has been spearheading an effort to build a relationship between the military and Silicon Valley, in the hopes of staying current with the latest technological advances.

The Pentagon said the hacking initiative is modeled after similar programs that large companies have launched in the hopes of bolstering the security of their networks.

The military's most sensitive networks will not be part of the program.

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"Once vetted, these hackers will participate in a controlled, limited duration program that will allow them to identify vulnerabilities on a predetermined department system," the Pentagon said in a statement. "Other networks, including the department's critical, mission-facing systems will not be part of the bug bounty pilot program."

The program will be launched in April and the Pentagon said it would prize money awards and other recognition.

"I am confident this innovative initiative will strengthen our digital defenses and ultimately enhance our national security," Carter said in a statement.

The Pentagon has acknowledged that its networks are under daily assault by hackers and securing the systems are a high priority.

Last year, an email system used by the Joint Chiefs of Staff was penetrated by hackers and had to be taken offline in order to cleanse the system.