Cybersecurity
L-3, Virginia Tech open joint National Security Solutions Center
- By Mark Hoover
- Oct 05, 2012
L-3 has opened its National Security Solutions Center at the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington, Va. It is one of the only centers in the Washington, D.C., area solely focused on cybersecurity research and development.
It will be operated by the company’s National Security Solutions Group, which provides full-spectrum cyber operations, enterprise and mission information technology, intelligence operations support and operational infrastructure support through integrated engineering, adaptive processes and expertise, according to the announcement.
Company officials said the center will enhance the partnership and collaboration between L-3 and Virginia Tech. The partnership was formed last year by L-3, with the university's Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology.
Approximately 70 cyber professionals from L-3 will have direct access to Virginia Tech labs, technical equipment and development tools, which they will use to create customized cyber solutions that will help L-3’s customers secure networks against cyber threats.
L-3 will have exclusive licensing rights to all products and services that are developed through the partnership.
"Co-location of the L-3 and Virginia Tech research centers will enable both organizations to leverage the wealth of academic expertise and business resources brought together by our partnership," said Les Rose, president of L-3's National Security Solutions Group. "This is a long-term relationship designed to speed the delivery of innovation to our customers."
The partnership will also provide opportunities for students and faculty at Virginia Tech. "Our partnership will enable our faculty and graduate research students to apply their knowledge and expertise in practical applications that strengthen the security of our government and nation," said Dr. Charles Clancy, director of the Hume Center.
The center will also provide a platform for prototype demonstrations, operational capabilities, customized solutions and accelerated technology transfer to customers. Its areas of focus will include securing communications and computation across inherently insecure media and environments, such as wireless networks, the Internet, virtualization and cloud computing.
It will also focus on the detection, attribution and mitigation of cyber threats, and on developing innovative mobile device security solutions.
The center has three labs, and can access the National LambdaRail, Internet2 and multiple federal networks through Virginia Tech.
About the Author
Mark Hoover is a contributing writer to Washington Technology.