Federal Drive

NATO solicits bids to expand cybersecurity abilities

Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are among the defense contractors lining up for a shot at the $42 million contract.

Federal News Network Staff

December 19, 2011 7:41 am

< a min read

NATO is collecting bids from some of the world’s top defense companies to help update and expand its cybersecurity abilities.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are among the defense contractors lining up for a shot at the $42 million contract.

That might not sound like much, but NATO officials say the contract is significant because it cements the alliance’s role in protecting cutting-edge infrastructure. They say it is a small amount of money, but it is technically ambitious.

And, because traditional military spending is getting slashed, not just in the U.S., but across the globe, defense contractors and technology companies from across the 28-country alliance are ready to compete for the contract.

The rest of the money will help it beef up its working capital.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily Cybersecurity Update. For more cybersecurity news, click here.