AT&T to assist Marines with secure network

AT&T Government Solutions Inc. won a $9.4 million contract from the Marine Corps to support the Secret IP Router Network, which ensures secure communications among all of the Marine Corps commands worldwide.

The network, known as SIPRNET, is the interoperable command and control IP data network at the Defense Department and is primarily used for the exchange of classified operational and tactical information at the Secret classification level.

Under the contract, AT&T will provide networking and IT services such as network management, information assurance and program management for the command and control network refresh program. AT&T will also expand WAN security features, including firewalls and intrusion detection systems and will upgrade network WAN point of presence transport and routing capabilities.

AT&T will enhance the connectivity, capability and flexibility of the network architecture so that global Marine commands can have better communication and secure access to more applications, company officials said.

AT&T 's team includes Science Applications International Corp. and Smartronix Inc., which will provide technical equipment configuration and firewall installation services at the Marine Corps regional locations.

AT&T ranks No. 31 on Washington Technology's 2006 Top 100 list of the largest federal IT contractors.