EDS has inked a lucrative $111 million contract with the US Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).

The Hewlett Packard company is slated to provide security readiness for the Department of Defense (DOD) and ensure integrated, agency-wide protection. As such, EDS will work with the DoD's Field Security Operations (FSO) division to conduct worldwide security reviews of DoD enterprises, enclaves, networks, systems and applications.

The company will also send technical resources to client locations on a global basis to conduct security assessments on DoD operating systems, applications, databases and networks. In addition, EDS is expected to offer an independent evaluation of DoD security policies and execute security assessments to gauge the compatibility and interoperability of FSO systems located at various DISA FSO locations.

"EDS has developed a solid client relationship with DISA over the past 13 years based on our demonstrated past performance, technical knowledge, and provision of value-added services," John Vagianos, service delivery executive at EDS, told IT Examiner. "We are proud to continue supporting the mission of the Field Security Operations division to enhance and further secure DoD's global information grid," added Vagianos.

Dennis Stolkey, senior vice president of US Public Sector at EDS expressed similiar sentiments.

"By providing security readiness reviews, we will help DISA to counter security threats," explained Stolkey. "This contract builds on a long-standing relationship between EDS and the agency. We look forward to continuing to provide the right people, processes and technology to help DISA align technology with the Defense Department's needs into the future."

It should be noted that HP recently signed a $3.6 million agreement with the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a scalable network intrusion detection system. According to HP, its indigenously developed system is capable of detecting threats via "proactive technologies," such as the monitoring of minute fluctuations in network traffic.

"HP's scalable network monitoring system allows for a new, dynamic method of identifying suspicious data and detecting threats before they enter the system," said Mike Freeman, VP, Federal Business, HP. "This system is one of the first of its kind to apply statistical physics to continuously monitor the defended networks and their environments."

Cyber warfare threats continue to pose a critical threat to US national security. As IT Examiner previously reported, Russian hackers were recently accused of executing a serious malware strike against CENTCOM (US Central Command), the military entity responsible for coordinating operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The attack affected numerous computers in combat zones and FOBs (forward operating bases) and downed a highly protected classified network.

The malware application responsible for the attack has been identified as Agent.bz, which is spread when a flash drive is plugged into an infected computer. X