New $1.5B Cyber Defense Data Center Set for Construction

Daily Tech ^ | October 30, 2009 11:01 AM | Shane McGlaun (Blog)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The center will provide intelligence and warnings on cyber security threats when complete

In today's modern world, communications and access to network resources are a vital part of our infrastructure and our defense capability. An increasing number of cyber security threats pose a risk to our country by disrupting communications and data networks at home.

To help combat the risk of cyber security threats, the NSA is set to build a new $1.5 billion cyber security data center to help provide intelligence and warnings related to cyber security threats across the government. InformationWeek reports that the NSA will soon break ground on the project in Utah. The data center will also support and help civilian agencies and offer technical assistance to the Department of Homeland Security.

Sen. Robert Bennett of Utah said, "Our country must continue to advance its national security efforts and that includes improvements in cyber security. As we rely more and more on our communications networks for business, government, and everyday use, we must be vigilant and provide agencies with the necessary resources to protect our country from a cyber attack."

The location for the data center is Camp Williams, which is a National Guard Training center 26 miles south of Salt Lake City. InformationWeek reports that the location was chosen for its ability to access cheap power, communications infrastructure, and availability of space. The complex will eventually have 1.5 million square feet of space on 120 to 200 acres.

The data center will need 30-megawatts of power, will be cooled by chilled water, and have T3 or near carrier grade reliability.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I like the location.....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Ignore the implied links....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OK,...this goes back to the June Announcement :

US Military Creates Cyber Defense Department

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The US military now has a new cyber defense department aimed at protecting US military networks

The US military has officially created a new "cyber command" center that will help protect the military from foreign-based cyber attacks, along with possibly launching digital warfare attacks against rival nations.

The new department was established by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and marks the first time the US government has ever created such a department.  The command will operate as part of the US Strategic Command, and will begin official service this October.

Gates will communicate with Pres. Barack Obama and recommend the director of the National Security Agency (NSA) leads the post.  It's possible the NSA's Lieutenant General Keith Alexander will outline how the department will operate in the future, but nothing has been announced as of yet.

The command will specialize in defending military networks, and will not focus on defending other government computers.  Military networks are continually under attack from both curious parties probing the networks and organized hacker rings.

US military officials hope the new cybersecurity unit will be fully operational in Oct. 2010.

There has been growing concern over the inability of the US government to protect both government and military institutions from increasing foreign cyber attacks, with China and Eastern European nations leading the attacks.  Once talk began of a department aimed specifically for cyber-related defense, there was immediate confusion as to who would lead the department.

[devane617]

Well, if the location is already equipped with infrastructure to run the data center, then I must ask what is already in the vicinity that requires all the mass power, and communications capabilities?

[frankenMonkey]

Nothing in place, but high capacity transmission lines, available wind power and some hydro generation are adjacent to the site.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Picked this from the comments section;

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quote:
i for one would like to see more info. What, exactly, is a cyber threat to the government?"

Here it is:

http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/nipp_it_baselin...

Parent

[devane617]

Power is a small part of what is required. To go out in the middle of nowhere and build that capabilities required for the data center will be a huge task unless a big part of what is required is already in place—which I suspect it is.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Wiki reference:

Camp W. G. Williams

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Camp W. G. Williams, also known as Army Garrison Camp Williams, is a National Guard training site operated by the Utah National Guard. It is located south of Bluffdale, west of Lehi, and north of Saratoga Springs and Cedar Fort, approximately 25 miles south of Salt Lake City, straddling the border between Salt Lake County and Utah County in the western portion of the Traverse Mountains.

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Please ignore implied links.......

[frankenMonkey]

It’s not in the middle of nowhere. It’s in the middle of the SLC-Provo metro area. Camp Williams provides some buffer from the (mostly) surrounding suburban sprawl.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From this article:

NSA To Build $1.5 Billion Cybersecurity Data Center

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The project will require between 5,000 and 10,000 workers during construction, and the data center will eventually employ between 100 and 200 workers.

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I wonder if they are going to dig into the mountain side ....?

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On Nov. 30, the Department of Homeland Security will formally open a new cybersecurity operations center, the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, in Arlington, Va. The facility will house the National Cyber Security Center, which coordinates cybersecurity operations across government, the National Coordinating Center for Telecommunications, which operates the government's telecommunications network, and the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team, which works with industry and government to protect networks and alert them of malicious activity.