The Pentagon has awarded Electronic Data Systems a
contract to develop and install a survivable IT and communications
infrastructure capable of withstanding a terrorist attack on a
scale similar to, or greater than, the attacks of 11 September,
2001.
The two-year, $258m deal falls under the auspices of the US
Department of Defense's Command Communications Survivability
Program (CSSP). The CSSP upgrade is designed to ensure the
survivability, redundancy, recoverability and security of Defense
Department IT infrastructure. It covers networks, data storage, and
voice and messaging systems at the Pentagon and various other US
military facilities.
The CCSP program was created in the wake of the 2001 terrorist
attack on the Pentagon, which crippled some of the Defense
Department's most important IT and communications systems.
Although the Pentagon was able to communicate orders to deployed
military forces on 11 September and the days that followed, the
attack severely damaged the US Navy's Telecommunications Operations
Center, sensitive chief of naval operations offices and help desk
operations within the US Army's Information Management Support
Center.
In addition, the National Military Command Center, where senior
defence officials monitor global security developments, was filled
with thick smoke as a result of the explosion caused by burning jet
fuel.
EDS said it would employ an integrated product team approach,
using proven systems engineering methodology and input from more
than a dozen subcontractors. This approach delivers a "low-risk"
implementation and offers maximum flexibility to take advantage of
new and emerging technologies.
The project partners include Verizon Federal, Northrop Grumman
Information Technology, Raytheon and Computer Sciences.