Booz Allen Hamilton has achieved a significant milestone in the realm of cybersecurity with the recent acquisition of a follow-on Other Transaction Authority (OTA) authorization to expand Thunderdome. Thunderdome is the Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA) innovative zero trust network access and application security architecture. The single-award contract encompasses four one-year option periods and a performance base.
Under this agreement, Booz Allen will collaborate with DISA, the Fourth Estate, and its mission partners to implement and operate Thunderdome's zero-trust network access and application security architecture. The primary goal is to fortify Department of Defense (DoD) networks and equip warfighters with enhanced capabilities to defend against adversaries who employ network and resource access tools and segmentation technologies.
Thunderdome's expansion aligns seamlessly with the Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity and the DoD Zero Trust Strategy and Roadmap, illustrating its pivotal role in bolstering national cybersecurity.
Kelly Rozumalski, Booz Allen's National Cyber Defense Senior Vice President, emphasized that the at-scale production of Thunderdome represents a significant stride toward the DoD's zero-trust objectives. Booz Allen has demonstrated its prowess in leveraging commercial technologies to accomplish several of DoD's zero-trust implementation goals. Their internal investments in zero-trust have also augmented their capacity to engineer intricate solutions, solidifying their position as a leading federal agency zero trust service provider.
Booz Allen's journey with Thunderdome began when they delivered the prototype earlier this year, securing DISA's initial OTA agreement in January 2022. During the prototype phase, Booz Allen integrated Thunderdome for 1,800 users and imposed restrictions on remote and on-premise access. The successful prototype culminated in Thunderdome receiving Authorization to Operate (ATO) on DISA's unclassified and classified networks.
Additionally, Chris Pymm, DISA Thunderdome Portfolio Manager, emphasized that the at-scale adoption of Thunderdome is pivotal for advancing zero trust principles and curtailing harmful cyber activities. The prototype's success affirmed that commercial solutions can significantly expedite the implementation of DoD's zero trust framework, optimizing efficiency and bolstering security across the DoD Information Network.
Furthermore, DISA's Thunderdome prototype showcased the efficacy of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), Cloud Edge Security Services (CESS), and Application Security Stacks in enhancing enterprise security and network performance. Thunderdome's technological components operate in synergy, underscoring its robust and interconnected architecture.
Imran Umar, Booz Allen's Zero Trust Vice President also expressed pride in their partnership with DISA and the successful delivery of the Thunderdome prototype. It showcased real-world applications of revolutionary technologies in eliminating trust on secret and unclassified networks. Booz Allen looks forward to commercializing this solution in collaboration with DISA, further fortifying national cybersecurity.
