NGC to Integrate Stronger Security Protections for Secret IP Router Network

• Company Integrates Phase II of the Host Based Security Solution to Improve Situational Awareness, Reduce Impact of Network Attacks, and Provide

(Reston, Va., November 10, 2009) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a $17.6 million task order to integrate Phase II of the Host Based Security System (HBSS) under the Network Centric Solutions ID/IQ contract by the U.S. Air Force Combat Information Transport System (CITS) Program Management Office at Hanscom Air Force Base.

Phase II, also known as HBSS 3.0, is an extensive security solution upgrade to the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet), the backbone network in the U.S. Department of Defense for the transfer of classified data. Northrop Grumman will deploy HBSS 3.0 to approximately 263 active duty Air Force bases and Air National Guard sites around the world.


HBSS Phase II comes on the heels of a successful effort led by the company to integrate Phase I of the HBSS. Northrop Grumman and partner McAfee deployed Phase I throughout the Air Force and Air National Guard to protect data over the unclassified network, known as the Non-secure Internet Protocol Router Network. Under Phase II, Northrop Grumman will plan, design, integrate, test, configure, train, document, and deploy HBSS 3.0 to better protect data over the SIPRNet.

The Defense Department has mandated HBSS for eventual installation on all unclassified and classified networks. Full implementation of HBSS is critical to defending government networks from an increasing number of cyber attacks -- many from determined adversaries. HBSS 3.0 provides system administrators significant improvements in situational awareness and drastically reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of cyber attacks; ensuring vital network capabilities are available to warfighters.

"Our goal is to provide a 'fight-through' capability for the warfighter so network attacks cannot bring down their systems," said Jill Kale, vice president of the Defense Enterprise Solutions, Northrop Grumman Information Systems sector. "Northrop Grumman has leveraged its experience, integration strength and the McAfee solution to provide a greatly enhanced cyber deterrence capability for the Air Force. In partnership with the CITS program management office and our long-time HBSS partner McAfee, I am proud of the overall team's success during the execution of Phase I. The program was delivered on-time and under-budget and we look forward to building on this success during the execution of Phase II."

Source : Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC)