SAIC to Protect Social Security Systems

By Nick Wakeman, Senior Editor


NOV. 9 ? Science Applications International Corp. of San Diego won a $45 million contract to provide critical infrastructure protection support to Social Security Administration.


The contract, a blanket purchase agreement, is part of Social Security's efforts to comply with Presidential Decision Directive 63, which ordered agencies to take steps to protect systems and facilities that are critical to an agency's operations.


Under the contract, SAIC will help Social Security's Office of Finance, Assessment and Management to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information systems and other assets, including physical assets identified as critical.


Social Security is looking to increase overall information security, conduct penetration testing and ultimately conduct vulnerability assessments.

The functions of these tests are to provide the agency and its information technology managers with data necessary to assess vulnerabilities and develop effective strategies for addressing risks.


"SAIC continues to be a leader in providing information assurance services necessary for the protection of vital information assets for businesses and governments," said Kevin Brown, assistant vice president in SAIC's Center for Information Security Technology.