Navy hosting 'Hack the Machine' event in September

The Navy is inviting the public in early September to participate in a "Hack the Machine" event in New York City with $90,000 in prizes available for those "who produce key insights or solutions," according to a service statement.

Similar white hat hacking events, hosted by the military, have become more prominent in recent years as cybersecurity has become a bigger concern in the Pentagon. All the events generally feature outsiders attempting to expose flaws in some part of the Defense Department's security systems for unclassified information.

The Navy event, taking place Sept. 6-8 in Manhattan, has three tracks: the geographic systems onboard ships, such as radars, aircraft maintenance systems for the F/A-18s and the use of 3D printing to assist vessels in distress.

"Up to $90,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to participants who produce key insights or solutions, and there is potential for jobs and follow-on work for individuals and teams ready to contribute to the Navy's mission of maintaining freedom of the seas," according to the service statement.