AFP signs $15 million Internet gateway deal with Verizon

Vendor will roll out security service to five government agencies

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has signed a $15 million, three-year contract with Verizon for a secure Internet gateway to provide public access to Web services while protecting five agencies against malware and hacking attacks.

Under the contract, Verizon will migrate the AFP, the Australian Crime Commission, CRIMTRAC, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre and the Commonwealth Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to the service.

Verizon will provide intrusion detection, firewall management, anti-spam, anti-virus management and denial of service (DOS) protection. The vendor is also provide around-the-clock services through its Australian contact centre.

The deal is part of the Australian government’s Lead Agency Gateway program.

The program, which covers all government agencies managed by the Financial Management and Accountability Act of 1997, has a goal of reducing the number of Internet gateways used by agencies from 124 down to eight. This is intended to reduce the risk of cyber attacks against government bodies and achieve savings of $25 million.

In 2011, Verizon signed a $50 million five-year agreement with the Department of Defence for a dual Internet gateway solution and professional services support.

Telstra recently struck a $32 million five-year deal with Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) for Internet gateway services.

According to Telstra's enterprise and government group managing director, Paul Geason, the agreement would provide over 22,000 government staff with enhanced online security.

Follow Hamish Barwick on Twitter: @HamishBarwick

Follow Computerworld Australia on Twitter: @ComputerworldAU, or take part in the Computerworld conversation on LinkedIn: Computerworld Australia

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Tags TelstraverizonAustralian Federal Policeinternet gateway

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