The four contracts that DARPA granted Secure Computing are 1) Autonomic Distributed Firewall, 2) Intrusion Tolerant Server Infrastructure, 3) Releasable Data Products Framework, and 4) Secure High Performance Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The first three programs are each part of the DARPA Third Generation Security (3GS) initiative that is a coordinated, cooperatively managed suite of programs that are working in concert to develop advanced mechanisms and systems to assure DoD and critical infrastructure systems against cyber attack. Secure Computing will develop enabling technologies that will provide distributed security to individual networks, allow centralized management that is integrated with autonomic response mechanisms, produce passive intrusion tolerance devices, and develop policy management tools. The latter contract is part of Secure Computing's and DARPA's participation in the Federal Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. This project is targeted directly at securing VPNs running over high bandwidth network connections.
"Secure Computing recognizes two main objectives for being a research partner with DARPA," said Chris Filo, vice president and general manager of the Advanced Technology Division at Secure Computing. "The first benefit is to advance security technology by developing leading-edge solutions that provide a safe, secure DoD infrastructure. Second, DARPA and Secure Computing both recognize the need, and fully support the transfer of these advanced technologies into commercially viable e-business solutions."
Consistent with its business strategy, Secure Computing specifically negotiates and retains the right to commercialize technologies developed under government research contracts. As such, they plan to transfer significant portions of the technology developed on these efforts into new and existing product offerings. Secure Computing expects that the first phase of technology transfer from new research and development contracts, to new product offerings, to be delivered in the fourth quarter, 2000.
About DARPA
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) was established in 1958 as the first U.S. response to the Soviet launching of Sputnik. Since that time DARPA's mission has been to assure that the U.S. maintains a lead in applying state-of-the-art technology for military capabilities and to prevent technological surprise from her adversaries. The DARPA organization was as unique as its role, reporting directly to the Secretary of Defense and operating in coordination with, but completely independent of, the military research and development (R&D) establishment. Strong support from the senior Department of Defense (DoD) management has always been essential since DARPA was designed to be an anathema to the conventional military and R&D structure and, in fact, to be a deliberate counterpoint to traditional thinking and approaches. In summary, DARPA's ability to adapt rapidly to changing environments and to seek and embrace opportunities in both technology and in processes, while maintaining the historically proven principles of the Agency, makes DARPA the crown jewel in Defense R&D and a unique R&D organization in the world.
About Secure Computing
Headquartered in San Jose, California, Secure Computing Corporation is a global leader in providing safe, secure extranets for e-business. Secure Computing solutions provide authentication, authorization, and secure network access. Secure Computing's worldwide partners and customer base are counted among the Fortune 50 in financial services, healthcare, telecom, communications, manufacturing, technology and Internet service providers, as well as some of the largest agencies of the United States government.
For more information, visit Secure Computing Corporation at www.securecomputing.com, or by calling 800-379-4944, or 408-918-6100 All trademarks, tradenames or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.
This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the anticipated delivery of four research and development contracts from DARPA and the expected relationship with the Agency; and such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are delays in product development, competitive pressures, technical difficulties, undetected software errors or bugs, changes in DARPA's requirements, general economic conditions and the risk factors detailed from time to time in Secure Computing's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
