WASHINGTON, May 4, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chief technology officers (CTO) from Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) shared their views this week on how the aerospace, defense and security sector can leverage its expertise to address the challenges faced by the global energy and climate-change markets during the Energy, Environment, Defense and Security (E2DS) 2011 conference, May 3-4 at the Marriott Metro Center in Washington, D.C.
Northrop Grumman was one of the sponsors of the conference, which was hosted by Dynamixx and IHS Jane's.
According to conference organizers, "The aerospace and defense industry has probably amassed more data on the environment than any other industrial sector...and it knows about energy. Aerospace, defense and security companies have the potential to ally with government and academia in helping to address global climate change challenges – using their modeling, simulation, system-of-systems analysis and engineering skills to powerful effect."
Dr. Alexis Livanos, Northrop Grumman Corporation vice president and CTO, was among eight prime contractor-level CTOs who participated in a panel discussion on May 3 titled, "The Unique Ability of the Aerospace, Defense and Security Sector to Provide Key Environmental, Climate and Sustainable Energy Solutions."
"Climate change is not so much a single, current problem as it is a collection of problems interrelated and cresting the horizon," said Livanos. "Industry has a very unique and important role to play in mitigating the coming effects of climate change. Those solutions that work best will spring from what we do best, which is to innovate."
On May 4, Dr. Robert Brammer, Northrop Grumman Information Systems vice president and CTO, delivered a presentation titled, "Cybersecurity – the Vital Ingredient for Today's and Tomorrow's Infrastructure Needs."
"The cyber threats to our critical infrastructures are far more serious than people realize," said Brammer. "Our infrastructure systems and processes are underdeveloped in terms of handling cyber risk. Cybersecurity must be built into the infrastructure. Without it you lose the enormous benefits gained from your IT investments.
"Improved cybersecurity is not only for protection of assets but will be a key enabler across energy, environment, and defense markets. In particular, strong cybersecurity is critical to the credibility and operational effectiveness of many of the developments proposed to mitigate climate change," Brammer said.
Brammer noted that the Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CIKR) are increasingly valuable and increasingly vulnerable, adding that much of our CIKR are aging, deteriorating and inefficient. Plans for renovation involve using information technology, which reduces costs, improves functionality and flexibility, and provides environment benefits. But, as the threats grow in number, sophistication and significance, so too do the risks.
Northrop Grumman is addressing several areas to protect U.S. CIKR from cyber threats including secure identity management programs and emergency services, and power grid cybersecurity research. For a copy of Brammer's presentation and more on the company's cybersecurity capabilities, go to: .
For more information on the company's environmental initiatives, go to: .
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit for more information.
CONTACT: Marynoele Benson (703) 556-1651 marynoele.benson@ngc.com
