Air Force Turns To Microsoft For Network Security

[KingFish]

The U.S. Air Force is drafting Microsoft to help simplify its networks and software contracts, which could improve its computer security and deliver savings of $100 million.

The military agency is consolidating its 38 software contracts and nine support contracts with the company into two all-encompassing, agencywide agreements, according to a statement seen by CNET News.com. The move is part of the "One Air Force, One Network" strategy that the Air Force plans to announce Friday. An Air Force representative confirmed many details of the announcement, including that it is expected to save the agency $100 million over six years.

"The consolidation will result in standard configurations for all Microsoft desktop and server software," the Air Force said in the statement. "The standard configurations will enforce rigorous security profiles and will be updated online with security patches and software updates."
Someone must have received a good kickback on this one. -KF

Source: ZDNet (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5457344.html)

[Leonardo]

If memory serves me right, the Air Force had contracted a couple years with another company to do just exactly what is outlined in the post above. It turned out to be such a botch job, that the AF cancelled the contract mid-stream.

Disclosure - don't remember the company; might have been Navy, and not Air Force.

[CyrixInstead]

Spot the oxymoron...

The U.S. Air Force is drafting Microsoft... networks and software contracts, which could improve its computer security and deliver savings of $100 million.

:D

~Cyrix

[pseudonym]

Heck, there isn't anyone better out there. Why not the company that has manged to create and fix every hole possible!! ;D

[danball1976]

Well, as it stands, the people who's job it is to work on such things often don't know what they are doing, and often wind up having civilians do it anyway.

A girl I know somewhat who works in the network admin didn't even know what the windows shell was.

[madmat]

This brings to mind the term "The blind leading the visually impared"