For Immediate ReleasePress OfficeContact: 202-282-8010April 12, 2004

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security today announced a contract toinitiate the implementation of the Homeland Secure Data Network (HSDN). The HSDNwill provide DHS officials with a modern IT infrastructure for securelycommunicating ified information. When completed the HSDN will be a private,certified, and accredited network that will fully support the mission goals ofthe department.

DHS has selected Northrop Grumman to design, implement, and operate the HSDN.The General Services Administration (GSA) made the award through the GSAMillennia contract at a potential value of over $350 million if all options areexercised by the end of 2005.

"The Homeland Secure Data Network will provide DHS personnel and theirpartners with a 21st century information technology infrastructure for securelycommunicating ified information," said Homeland Security SecretaryRidge. "The HSDN lays the foundation to consolidate five legacy wide-areanetworks down to one network for both ified and unified information,leading to one infrastructure the first phase of which will be completed bythe end of this year."

The HSDN will significantly enhance DHS' capability to interact with otherified networks while simultaneously eliminating the department's dependenceon networks external to DHS. Looking to the future, the HSDN will be designed tobe scalable in order to respond to increasing demands for the securetransmission of ified information among government, industry, and academiacrucial to defending America from terrorist attacks.