Hack the Pentagon and be rewarded by the US military

UNCLE Sam is looking for a few good hackers.

As part of an effort to test its cybersecurity, the US Defence Department is challenging computer geeks from the private sector to hack its public websites and networks. To sweeten the pot for would-be hackers, the military is dangling unspecified cash awards and the prospect of other recognition.

“I am always challenging our people to think outside the fivesided box that is the Pentagon,” Defence Secretary Ash Carter said on Wednesday in a statement announcing the programme. “Inviting responsible hackers to test our cybersecurity certainly meets that test.”

The “Hack the Pentagon” initiative marks the first time the US government has put a bounty on finding weaknesses in network security, a technique private companies often employ, according to a Pentagon statement.

Federal agencies are under almost constant assault from computer hackers, and defence officials have repeatedly cited Russia and China as suspected perpetrators of attacks on US networks.

One requirement that might scare off those hackers who consider themselves rebels and might even admire Edward Snowden for the government secrets he disclosed: The Pentagon is requiring participants to register and pass a background check before deputising them to go after its websites.

Nor would the programme turn the hackers loose on any missioncritical systems, the Pentagon said. The pilot programme will start next month. – Bloomberg

THE ARTICLE “Kumba kicks against R5.5bn Tax penalty” published this week refers. As a minority Kumba shareholder, this article is most disconcerting, not only has the company incurred severe losses due to the drop in international iron ore prices resulting in the drastic decline in the share price, but we now find further headwinds in the alleged tax liability.

The comment by chief executive Norman Mbazima that Kumba had met its tax obligations and complied with tax laws does not go far enough to publicly explain exactly why there is a fundamental difference with Sars on the matter. We as minority shareholders deserve to know how this may impact on the value of our investment in Kumba.

Mbazima further comments that Kumba is in the process of preparing an objection to the assessment. We need a public explanation either from Kumba or its auditors why it has taken 10 years to resolve this impasse covering the tax obligations from 2006 to 2010.

Since a R 5.5 billion tax liability is not exactly petty cash, it will severely impact on its financial resources and under the circumstances I believe the JSE should be involved by suspending the share trading as the final outcome may well affect a further decline in the share price.

Mbazima’s statement that Kumba is a responsible corporate citizen etc, etc, is not in question and is simply waffle. As a minority shareholder I believe we need a public statement either from Kumba, Anglo American or the auditors on the state of the dispute with Sars. DOUG DA COSTA MOUNT EDGECOMBE, DURBAN