Leidos Wins IARPA R&D Contract To Anticipate Cyberattacks Using Novel Sensors

New cyber solutions would employ predictive intelligence, advanced sensor technologies

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Sep 28, 2016, 06:50 ET

RESTON, Va., Sept. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) has won a prime contract from the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) to research and develop multi-disciplinary methods that provide accurate and timely cyberattack forecasts under the Cyberattack Automated Unconventional Sensor Environment (CAUSE) program. The cost plus fixed fee contract has an initial 18-month base period of performance with two one-year options. If all options are exercised, Leidos' contract is worth $14 million. Leidos is one of four awardees.

Studies show that detection of a cyberattack typically occurs in the later stages of a multi-phase attack, and in many cases, is discovered by external parties other than the victim organization. IARPA's CAUSE program aims to develop and test new automated methods that forecast and detect cyberattacks significantly earlier than existing methods. Leidos will look to create and fuse sensors from disciplines beyond those conventionally used for cyber, including the social / cultural, economic, and behavioral sciences. The solution would increase the number of events uncovered and the time available for organizations to respond through identification at the earliest stages of threat.

Leidos has a strong resume in helping secure public and private industry resources against cyberattack. The contract demonstrates Leidos' research capabilities for novel approaches to cyberattack forecasting and detection, even at the earliest stages in the attack timeline. Leidos will be supported by three subcontractors, Ohio State University, Rochester Institute of Technology and the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition.

"The possibility of pushing threat detection closer to its originating point in the attack chain holds significant promise for reducing or potentially preventing the damage caused by cyberattacks," said John Fratamico, president of the Leidos Advanced Solutions Group. "IARPA sees the value in CAUSE as high-risk, high-payoff research to explore new methods that could result in advanced forecasting technologies for cyber defense. Our team is poised to deliver that value for cybersecurity analysts."

About Leidos
Leidos is a global science and technology solutions leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The company's 33,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported pro forma annual revenues of approximately $10 billion for the fiscal year ended Jan. 1, 2016 after giving effect to the recently completed combination of Leidos with Lockheed Martin's Information Systems & Global Solutions business (IS&GS). For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 30, 2015, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.