The first projects will look at the risks of cybersecurity breaches in sensors of autonomous vehicles, the companies said.

The Cybersecurity Moonshot Challenge by NYCx, a tech-based municipal program, is aimed at encouraging innovative solutions that protect small businesses from cyber attacks.

Attention to potential security holes could have prevented the "biggest bug ever to hit the Internet." That is the claim of Israel cyber-security company Checkmarx, who says the latest major internet hack was avoidable.