DARPA singles out wireless security technology developed by Applied Visions, Inc. division as one of its success stories for 2010
NORTHPORT, NY, March 15, 2010 – For the second time in its history, the Secure Decisions Division of Applied Visions has been honored by DARPA for its small business success gallery. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), selected MeerCAT®, along with a few other select DARPA-sponsored projects, to receive this recognition. MeerCAT®, a tool designed to analyze wireless risks to critical cyber assets, is among an even smaller group of computer security technologies to be commended in this way.
With an annual budget of $3.2 billion, DARPA invests about $79M in small businesses through the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. DARPA’s Strategic Technology Office sponsored MeerCAT®, which addressed the government’s need for an analysis and visualization tool to correlate collections from wardriving tools and wireless intrusion detection systems. As noted in the DARPA report, MeerCAT® will be incorporated into the Naval Research Laboratory’s Flying Squirrel suite of wireless discovery and analysis tools through a partnership with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). During 2010 Q4, MeerCAT® will be made available to more than 3,000 current DoD Flying Squirrel users.
The MeerCAT® project team attributed its success to several factors. Key among them were:
- ► Close cooperation with government laboratories and users to maximize exposure to the real world challenges facing security analysts;
- ► Use of commercial scenarios that demonstrate the tool’s benefits without revealing information about government locations;
- ► A memorable project name.
“Wireless security is an essential component in effective network management,” said Secure Decisions Director Dr. Anita D’Amico. “We weren’t surprised when two large systems integrators offered funding to customize MeerCAT® for specialized applications. But our more important goal is to reach organizations that may be unaware of the risks they face from their wireless infrastructure.”
Secure Decisions was previously recognized for its work with SecureScope®, another tool to support computer security analysts. SecureScope, a 2007 recipient of this DARPA distinction, was built to take security data from many sources and, by way of a data-rich 3D presentation, display it in the proper context to help guide decisions about potential threats.
Related Links
To learn more about MeerCAT®, visit securedecisions.com/MeerCAT®.
About Applied Visions and Secure Decisions
Applied Visions, Inc. (AVI) provides software products, custom solutions, and advanced technology research for commercial and government customers. The company’s vision and expertise in visual software solutions for complex defense, national security, and business problems have served AVI’s customers in the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and prominent technology and Fortune 500 firms. Founded in 1987, AVI is based in Northport, NY, and has secure facilities and clearances to support classified government programs.
Secure Decisions was launched by AVI in 2000 to focus on cyber security research and products for the government. Today, Secure Decisions is a leader in security visualization, with an established track record of R&D contracts and product development. Secure Decisions’ products are used to enhance the situational awareness of senior officers, computer network defenders and other security professionals in government and commercial organizations. SecureScope®, VIAssist™, and MeerCAT® are among Secure Decisions’ extensive portfolio of cyber defense solutions.
For more information, please visit avi.com and securedecisions.com.
Press Contact
Cathy Velardi
Call: 631-759-3911 or use this contact form.
All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective parties.
