QinetiQ tasked with thwarting cyber threats to transportation system

A task order from the Department of Transportation Volpe National Transportation Systems Center calls for building cyber secure systems.

QinetiQ North America will provide cybersecurity services to the Transportation Department thanks to a new $4.7 million task order.

The award from the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, a unit of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration, is the first cybersecurity task order issued under the Volpe's V-TRIPS contract, a May 29 company announcement said.

It calls for QNA to protect the nation's transportation and control systems and critical infrastructure.

As a result, QinetiQ analysts and engineers will address cybersecurity requirements, evaluate cybersecurity tools and techniques, and develop standards for building a variety of secure systems.

They also will define technological requirements for systems and controls and analyze potential cyber threats and risks to critical infrastructures.

The Volpe Center works with federal, state, local and international agencies to assess, research, develop and deploy transportation technologies, and support policy and decision-making.

QinetiQ Group PLC., of McLean, Va., ranks No. 43 on Washington Technology’s 2011 Top 100 list of the largest federal government contractors.