Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) announced that it will provide IP-based video and voice conferencing capabilities to the Department of Defense through the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) as part of the Northrop Grumman Corporation team, which was just awarded the DVS II contract. This DVS II award represents the largest single acquisition of IP video and voice conferencing services in the federal government.

Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector announced that DISA has selected the team to design, engineer, test and install new video conferencing and collaboration hubs for networks supporting defense operations worldwide. Video conferencing that meets key security criteria is a crucial command-and-control tool for military commanders, providing the information and situational awareness they need to plan, execute and manage military operations.

Cisco's overall offering as part of Northrop Grumman's winning bid will allow Department of Defense users to move beyond today's video-only conferencing service to a more robust, end-to-end IP solution. The Cisco solution provides Net Centric capabilities to DISA's DVS II program, including the ability to enhance the existing DISA video conferencing capability with full web conferencing features as well.

This solution provides fully integrated rich-media communications including video, web and audio with rich web, voice and video collaboration and meeting control capabilities, as well as security, Layer 2 and Layer 3, call center and network management products. The foundation of DVS II architecture is based on the Cisco Internet Protocol Video Conferencing (IPVC) 3540 Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) for video conferencing and Cisco MeetingPlace for integrated video, voice and web conferencing.

Cisco teamed with Radvision to provide Northrop Grumman the most robust and scalable video conferencing solution and architecture available. Cisco is the leading provider of networking solutions for the government, with an unparalleled range of converged solutions and consulting services. Cisco has provided governments with quality technology and support services, in addition to networking solutions that keep our nation safe, streamline the business of government and help civilian agencies provide services to their citizens.

Cisco IP Communications is a comprehensive system of enterprise-class solutions including IP telephony, unified communications, rich media communications, including audio, web and videoconferencing, IP video broadcasting and customer contact solutions that take advantage of customers' existing Cisco IP infrastructure to deliver new converged applications. More information about Cisco IP Communications is available at: www.cisco.com/go/ipc.