ATT receives first award for TIC service on Networx
GSA offers service to decrease the number of government connections to the Internet.
AT&T is the first company that can offer the Managed Trusted
Internet Protocol Services (MTIPS) after being awarded today the first
modification to the Networx Universal telecommunications contract, the
General Services Administration announced.
GSA said it will continue to evaluate MTIPS proposals from other
Networx Universal contractors and make more awards as soon as possible
in early 2009. Networx is an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity
contract vehcile. Although Networx Universal has a ceiling of $48.1
billion, the actual amount of business it generates will depend on how
much agencies order through it.
GSA developed MTIPS for
Networx Universal, which will become the primary contract for agencies
to use in buying telecommunications and network services. MTIPS allows
agencies to connect to the Internet in full compliance with the Office
of Management and Budget’s Trusted Internet Connection (TIC)
Initiative. The service reduces Internet connections in government
networks and provides a standard security services to agencies.
“Fewer
external connections, means fewer vulnerabilities and better secured
networks,” said Karen Evans, OMB administrator for e-government and
information technology.
The TIC program aims to improve security by decreasing the number of
federal external connections to the Internet. The government has
several thousand, and official now want less than 100 governmentwide.
Officials
say limiting the number of connections will improve the Homeland
Security Department’s ability to monitor the federal network — part
of the Bush administration’s multi-year, multi-billion dollar
Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative.
“Nothing
could be more critical than helping the government protect its
mission-sensitive information,” said GSA Acting Administrator Jim
Williams.
MTIPS includes an Einstein Enclave, s a computer network intrusion detection system, and the following components:
- Security Operations Center for agency protection.
- Transportatlon from the agencywide area network to the TIC.
- Redundant Internet access service and supply chain risk management requirements, and optional features to allow for agencies' unique requirements.