VICKSBURG, Miss., June 25, 2020 —  On June 12th, the DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) completed its most recent evaluation of the people, processes, and technology critical to providing cybersecurity services on the Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN) and Secret DREN (SDREN). Over the course of the two-week evaluation, conducted by the Joint Force Headquarters – DoD Information Networks (JFHQ-DODIN) Readiness and Security Inspections (DRSI) Division, every cybersecurity service area received verification as being performed in accordance with DoD policies and standards. Due to the current COVID-19 conditions, DoD HPCMP and JFHQ-DODIN DRSI cybersecurity representatives performed the inspection remotely through the systematic review of 48 metrics aligned to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework functions of identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover.

The DoD HPCMP cybersecurity service provider (CSSP) was recognized with two “areas of excellence” for cybersecurity services – vulnerability assessment and analysis, and information security continuous monitoring (ISCM) – demonstrating an advanced maturity level amongst peer DoD CSSPs. The JFHQ-DODIN DRSI Team noted, “The DoD HPCMP has implemented a robust and innovative set of tools for tracking incidents, events, trend analysis and IAVM reporting.”

The DoD HPCMP is only the second DoD CSSP to undergo a remote inspection using the enhanced evaluation criteria, which is designed to validate a CSSP’s ability to Secure, Operate, and Defend a portion of the DODIN – in this case, the DREN and SDREN.

Since 2006, the DoD HPCMP has maintained an authorized DoD CSSP to deliver full-spectrum cybersecurity services to the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) and acquisition engineering communities on the DREN and SDREN. Under civilian management support provided by the U.S. Army [ERDC], U.S. Air Force [AFRL], and U.S.

Navy [NIWC], the DoD HPCMP CSSP conducts defensive cyberspace functions on a 24x7x365 basis to effectively protect and defend the networks, systems, and data on the DREN and SDREN, and promotes a productive environment for the RDT&E and acquisition engineering communities.

The inspection represents a significant step in the renewal of the DoD HPCMP’s authority to operate (ATO) as one of twenty-five CSSPs throughout the DoD, pending final review of evaluation results by the JFHQ-DODIN Deputy Commander and J3, Director of Operations. The DoD HPCMP’s CSSP Manager stated, “The evaluation results reflect the Program’s commitment to deliver a resilient cyber terrain enabling RDT&E users’ pursuit of innovative solutions to the Department’s most critical mission challenges.”

The achievement also recognizes investments made by the DoD HPCMP to modernize cybersecurity capabilities and employ purpose-built infrastructure for the DREN and SDREN cyber terrain. Adeptly applying cybersecurity to ensure secure, trustworthy, and reliable high-performance computing resources are made available to RDT&E and acquisition engineering communities on a high-capacity, lowlatency enterprise network is central to the mission of the DoD HPCMP.

About the DoD HPCMP

The DoD HPCMP provides the Department of Defense supercomputing capabilities, high-speed network communications and computational science expertise that enable DoD scientists and engineers to conduct a widerange of focused research and development, test and evaluation, and acquisition engineering activities. This partnership puts advanced technology in the hands of U.S. forces more quickly, less expensively, and with greater certainty of success. Today, the DoD HPCMP provides a comprehensive advanced computing environment for the DoD that includes unique expertise in software development and system design, powerful high-performance computing systems, and a premier wide-area research network. The DoD HPCMP is managed on behalf of the Department of Defense by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center located in Vicksburg, Mississippi. For more information, please visit the DoD HPCMP website at: www.hpc.mil.

---

Source: DoD HPCMP