Bechtel Launches Initiative to Strengthen U.S. Cybersecurity Capabilities

New Training Program Will Enhance National Laboratories' Defense Against Constant Threats

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Jul 14, 2014, 12:52 ET

RESTON, Va., July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Bechtel today announced a program with two U.S. national security laboratories to fund multiyear positions for early-career professionals in critical cybersecurity fields. The joint effort will recruit and cultivate cybersecurity experts who can strengthen networks by applying experience from national security environments and from industry.

Bechtel will collaborate on the program with Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories to better protect America's cyber assets. Bechtel comanages Los Alamos and Livermore with the University of California and other partners.

"Cyber threats pose a danger to the government and the private sector. Bechtel protects assets in both areas and can uniquely join forces with two national laboratories," said Craig Albert, president of Bechtel's government services business unit. "When you combine the resources and expertise of our three organizations you have a program that will make significant contributions across a broad spectrum of cybersecurity areas."

Under the program, new recruits will join each of the three organizations and spend time at the other two.

"This is a cooperative commitment to the nation's cybersecurity," Albert said. "The first two years of each recruit's program will be paid for entirely with corporate dollars with no taxpayer funding."

"Early career employees will blend exposure to cyber R&D at the labs with hands-on experience within Bechtel's global cyber operations," said Bechtel's Paul Henry, acting deputy director of Los Alamos National Laboratory.

"Our firewalls withstand thousands of attacks each day," said Bechtel's Tom Gioconda, deputy director at Lawrence Livermore. "These young professionals will be on the front lines of this battle. They'll emerge with great experience and connections with the nation's experts in the field."

Bechtel is a leader in providing safe, secure, and efficient services to the U.S. and British governments, including many sites demanding the highest levels of physical and cyber security. The company has received seven consecutive superior security ratings, the highest possible, from the U.S. Defense Security Service for handling and protecting classified information.

About Bechtel:

Bechtel is among the most respected engineering, project management, and construction companies in the world. We stand apart for our ability to get the job done right—no matter how big, how complex, or how remote. Bechtel operates through five global business units that specialize in civil infrastructure; power generation, communications, and transmission; mining and metals; oil, gas, and chemicals; and government services. Since its founding in 1898, Bechtel has worked on more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents. Today, our 53,000 colleagues team with customers, partners, and suppliers on diverse projects in nearly 40 countries. www.bechtel.com

Media contact:
Fred deSousa
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SOURCE Bechtel