The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) awarded Northrop Grumman [NOC] a nearly $74 million task order to continue its role in the Acropolis and Sensor Operations Program, which protects DISA-managed networks (DOD Information Network) from cyber attacks and provides global cyber situational awareness for the networks, the company said on Thursday.

The new task order contract was awarded under the Encore II Information Technology Solutions indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract. The program was formerly known as Centaur. The almost $74 million award is to be enacted over four years. The contract provides operational services that support DISA’s overarching Acropolis mission.

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) logo. Image: U.S. Department of Defense
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) logo. Image: U.S. Department of Defense

“The DISA Acropolis mission is critical to national security. This massive global network must operate 24/7, be resilient and ready to identify and eliminate formidable threats. Northrop Grumman is proud to be DISA’s trusted partner in providing high-end talent and capabilities that meet their evolving cyber needs. We look forward to continuing our support to Acropolis and leveraging innovations in affordability and technology to protect the warfighter and our joint mission partners,” Shawn Purvis, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman’s cyber division, said in a statement.

Northrop Grumman is set to continue providing secure, consolidated, and integrated defensive cyber operations. The company will also provide a global cyber situational awareness environment to network defense analysts to aid in the defense of the DoD Joint Information Environment (JIE), DoD Enterprise Services, and the DoD Information Network (DODIN).

Northrop Grumman will also operate and maintain the DODIN-wide Computer Network Defense sensor infrastructure. The company will utilize its Advanced Cyber Technology Center for innovations to increase speed and resilience with lower costs, Northrop Grumman said.

The Acropolis Program was created in 2009 by the DISA Program Executive Office Missions Assurance and NetOps Directorate to defend the precursor to DODIN, the Global Information Grid. Acropolis was specifically originally designed to provide a view of global traffic on the NIPRNet and SIPRNet while creating an environment to defend DOD Enterprise Services.