Washington, D.C. – October 23, 2006–
Merlin International, one of the nation’s fastest growing federal IT solutions providers, and Watchfire, the worldwide market-leading provider of web application vulnerability assessment software and services, today announced they have secured a multi-million dollar award from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to deploy and maintain a web application security system to reduce risks within the agency’s existing Web infrastructure. In addition, the two companies have formed a strategic partnership.
Under the contract, Merlin and Watchfire will work together to deploy Watchfire® AppScan® Enterprise, a solution which will provide VA with centralized application security scanning and user-access controls, remediation capabilities, executive dashboards and compliance reporting. This will allow the VA to proactively monitor and report on the security compliance of specific web applications in real time. In addition, Merlin will manage the training and maintenance associated with the implementation.
“Merlin is committed to working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure they have the safest, most reliable infrastructure possible,” John Trauth, executive vice president, government systems, Merlin International. “This combination of security systems integration expertise with the web application vulnerability management technology from Watchfire will enable the VA to help maintain a secure online environment for its employees and the millions of veterans who rely on its services.”
As part of the partnership, Merlin will extend its security and compliance consulting services with Watchfire’s AppScan® suite of web application security solutions. Merlin will also offer AppScan® and has added the product to their General Services Administration/Federal Supply Service (GSA/FSS) Schedule. Merlin and Watchfire have already successfully partnered on several significant enterprise projects and deployments, including Securities and Exchange and United Space Alliance.
Website security breaches and more rigid regulatory compliance requirements highlight the increased need for ongoing web vulnerability scanning. Watchfire offers solutions for all types of security testing including outsourced, desktop-user, enterprise-wide analysis as well as users (developers, quality assurance, penetration testers, security auditors, senior management). AppScan® Enterprise is the industry's first web application vulnerability scanning and reporting solution for the enterprise. For agencies centralizing web applications security testing, AppScan® Enterprise provides advanced application scanning, remediation capabilities, executive security metrics and dashboards, key regulatory compliance reporting including FISMA, Director of Central Intelligence Directives (DCIDs) and HIPAA in addition to seamless integration with the desktop version of AppScan®.
“Government websites have grown in size and complexity, and security and compliance issues can be spread across millions of web pages. To effectively address these issues, agencies must continually monitor, measure, audit and report on these potential risks and levels of compliance,” said Peter McKay, president and CEO. “Watchfire has 16 of the top 20 government agencies as customers. The company's continued success with the US Federal Government can be attributed to providing flexible solutions that help manage and secure all aspects of web operations. As evidenced by our recent joint contract wins, the complementary combination of Watchfire’s market-leading AppScan with Merlin’s leading security services expertise creates a proven offering for federal agencies.”
About Merlin International
Merlin International is one of the fastest growing public sector IT solutions providers in the United States. Based in Denver, with offices in Vienna, Va., Linthicum, Md., and Scott Air Force Base, Merlin delivers technology solutions and services for a broad range of organizations including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, civilian and intelligence agencies, as well as state and local governments. The company’s solution expertise includes Managed Content, Enterprise Messaging, Information Assurance, and Business Systems Management. Today, more than 500 clients count on Merlin's expertise to help them define, integrate, deploy, and maintain systems and networks that align information technology with program and business goals. Learn more about Merlin at www.merlin-intl.com.
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