TCS takes DOD personnel to school for cybersecurity training

TeleCommunication Systems Inc. has won a five-year Defense Department contract worth approximately $49 million for computer training assistance.

Under the terms of the award, TCS will provide the DOD’s military and civilian personnel with on-site computer network operations training in support of the government’s cybersecurity workforce development efforts, a key Obama administration initiative and a priority for White House Cyber Security Coordinator Howard Schmidt, the announcement states.

To meet the requirements of the award, the company, which is based in Annapolis, Md., will employ its “Art of Exploitation” University curriculum, a government-specific cybersecurity training program, which provides focused training in the fields of penetration testing, attack-defend strategies, vulnerability analysis and exploitation.

“Students learn how to anticipate complex problems before the nation’s infrastructure becomes vulnerable,” Andre Gudger, senior vice president at TCS, said in the announcement.

Students who participate in the training experience real-life situations in a controlled environment.

To date, approximately 1,500 individuals involved in computer network security, information assurance, network defense, penetration testing, forensics analysis, and cyber intelligence have attended TCS’ cybersecurity training, according to the announcement.