Northrop lands Air Force network security contracts

Northrop Grumman Information Technology has received two Air Force contracts, both concerning the service’s computer security.

One pact, a $24.8 million contract to build an information warfare architecture to better detect and respond to network intrusions, was awarded late last year. Under it, the company's IT unit will lead eight subcontractors, including Symantec. The project's goal is to integrate commercial and government-developed software into a system that will sense when networks are under attack, determine an appropriate response and take necessary protective measures.

Also in December, the Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman IT a $14.5 million contract to develop an enterprise vulnerability management system. The system is necessary so the Air Force can better manage and control the process of assessing IT security weaknesses and applying software patches, according to a company statement.

The Air Force awarded the vulnerability management system task order under the Network-Centric Solutions contract. Northrop Grumman received the first NetCents task order in late 2004.