Telos gains $13M Air Force task order

ASHBURN, Va., Sept. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force has given Telos Corp. a task order for hardware, software and services to enhance communications.

Telos said that under the $13 million task order, it will deliver a Web proxy server replacement as well as certify and accredit an advanced software version for the Combat Information Transport System program.

The contract, which will result in improved communications operations at 70 active-duty locations worldwide, was awarded through the Network Centric Solutions contract vehicle, Telos said.

"Secure access to the internet is crucial to Air Force mission performance," said Ronnie Carter, Cyber/Integration Division chief at the Electronic Systems Center. "Detection and prevention of network attacks is a high priority for the Air Force."

At each base, the network boundary includes a Web proxy, which ensures authentication and validation of Web site Uniform Resource Locators and Internet Protocol addresses. The proxy denies access to black-list sites the spread viruses or other malicious programs.

"The proxy operates quietly in the background, protecting and defending the Air Force network at each base boundary," 2nd Lt. Richard Barnard, Web proxy modernization program manager, said. "The Web proxy can prevent users from accessing malicious Websites, which could commit identity theft. Those Web sites can also target high-ranking users and steal their electronic access to sensitive information."

The Air Force's CITS program is an initiative to provide a high-speed, broadband, digital information transport system. This system must integrate existing data systems and provide the capability to integrate all existing and planned voice, video, imagery and sensor systems.