The Networks and Information Technology (IT) Security Group, Code 606.1

- Provides strategic network planning, services, and capabilities to efficiently meet overall Directorate research and mission requirements

- Leads implementation of network security procedures and functions to protect Directorate systems and data from intrusions, and assures that Agency and Center security requirements are met

- Works with the CIO’s Office and other Center organizations to develop integrated design and management of IT networks

- Designs and deploys specific capabilities necessary to support Directorate projects

Within the Networks and IT Security Group, the High End Computer Network (HECN) Team manages the GSFC Scientific and Engineering Network (SEN) as a non-mission-dedicated high-end computer network at GSFC. The SEN services GSFC projects and users who have computer network performance requirements greater than those baselined for GSFC’s general-use campus-wide Center Network Environment. The HECN also conducts network R&D and testbed evaluations with advanced network technology. This research contributes to the next generation high-end computer networks at GSFC.

An example of the HECN Team’s R&D is the GSFC IRAD-FY04-initiated project “Preparing Goddard for Large Scale Team Science in the 21st Century: Enabling an All Optical Goddard Network Cyberinfrastructure” with PI Pat Gary (606.1) and GSFC’s Information Technology Pathfinder Working Group as Co-I’s. The L-Net Project recently established a “Lambda Network” (in this case using optical wavelength technology and 10Gbps Ethernet per wavelength) from GSFC in Greenbelt, MD, to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography through the University of California, San Diego over the National Lambda Rail, a new national dark optical fiber infrastructure.