{"id":29676,"date":"2022-08-02T17:07:42","date_gmt":"2022-08-02T17:07:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/uncategorized\/2022\/08\/02\/pentagons-secret-communications-network-to-get-upgrade-from-booz-allen\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:40:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:40:13","slug":"pentagons-secret-communications-network-to-get-upgrade-from-booz-allen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/cyber\/2022\/08\/02\/pentagons-secret-communications-network-to-get-upgrade-from-booz-allen\/","title":{"rendered":"Pentagon\u2019s secret communications network to get upgrade from Booz Allen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The Defense Information Systems Agency extended its Thunderdome cybersecurity contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, citing lessons learned from the Russia-Ukraine war and the need to better secure the Pentagon\u2019s communication system for secrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The addition of six months to the deal accounts for the inclusion of the Secure Internet Protocol Router Network, or SIPRNet, in the zero-trust program and the \u201ccomplete development, testing and deployment planning for the original unclassified prototype,\u201d DISA said<\/a> in an announcement July 28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SIPRNet is a communications network used by the Defense Department to transmit classified information across the world. DISA, the Pentagon\u2019s top IT office, described the framework as \u201cantiquated\u201d and in need of updating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agency awarded Booz Allen a $6.8 million contract in January<\/a> to develop a Thunderdome prototype, its approach to zero-trust cyber protections. Folding in SIPRNet is a significant evolution. The extension lengthens the pilot to a full year, with completion now expected at the start of 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith this additional time, we can conduct operational and security testing that was not originally planned for in the initial pilot,\u201d Jason Martin, director of DISA\u2019s Digital Capabilities and Security Center, said in a statement. \u201cIt will also permit us the necessary time to strategize on the best way to transition current Joint Regional Security Stacks users who will be moving to Thunderdome.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pentagon in 2021 decided to sunset Joint Regional Security Stacks \u2014 meant to reduce cyberattack surface and consolidate classified entry points \u2014 in favor of the zero-trust Thunderdome approach, C4ISRNET previously reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The six-month add-on comes amid Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, which was preceded by cyberattacks that jeopardized command and control and forced offline government websites. Ukrainian networks continue to be buffeted, with hackers often targeting the defense, financial and telecommunications sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n