Nooks Secures Major Contract to Deploy Classified Infrastructure Nationwide

In a significant development for national security and technological innovation, Nooks has announced that it has secured a four-year contract with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) aimed at expanding its Classified Infrastructure-as-a-Service (CIaaS) nationally. The project, part of DIU's Bridge Program, comes with a ceiling amount of $146.8 million and marks a major leap forward in providing timely access to classified environments for commercial technology firms.

Addressing a Critical Need

The DIU Bridge Program aims to tackle a persistent challenge faced by commercial companies: the inadequate access to the classified spaces, clearances, and security expertise necessary for engaging in sensitive defense projects. With this new funding, Nooks will establish additional CIaaS sites in six significant innovation markets: Austin, Boston, Chicago, New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Honolulu. These locations are strategically chosen to facilitate collaboration between technology creators and the national security mission, promoting a faster transition from contract to classified execution.

David “Mudd” Willard, co-founder and CEO of Nooks, expressed optimism about the partnership with DIU, stating, “This award acknowledges that classified infrastructure should be available as a service, not rebuilt on an individual company basis. Our collaboration with DIU is set to provide innovators with the secure foundation necessary to leverage their technologies for impactful national security applications.”

A Revolutionary Approach

The CIaaS model introduced by Nooks revolutionizes the traditional approach to accessing classified environments. Instead of lengthy construction timelines and hefty upfront capital investments, companies can now utilize a subscription-based model that allows for flexible access to accredited private suites, adaptable workstations, secure video conferencing facilities, and extensive data center capabilities. This transformative model not only meets the immediate needs of companies but also allows for future growth and adaptation to emerging technologies.

Nooks currently operates existing classified workspaces in locations such as Arlington, Colorado Springs, El Segundo, and Huntsville. With this latest initiative, the company aims to enhance its network to ten markets by the end of 2028 while also scaling its fleet of mobile SCIF pods to over 70 locations.

Comprehensive Support Services

The contract will also extend Nooks' Managed Security Services, providing fractional Facility Security Officer (FSO) expertise for up to 100 selected DIU portfolio companies. This will help ensure compliance with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) guidelines, assist in the facility and personnel clearance processes, and support insider-threat programs among many other critical security measures. For several of these companies, this will be their first entry point into classified work, establishing a significant step towards broader engagement in national security endeavors.

Nooks' commitment to bridging the operational barriers between commercial technology and classified work is pivotal, as emphasized by Sarah Pearson, Head of Strategic Initiatives at DIU. She remarked that "the DIU will exemplify a new model of classified infrastructure resourced based on usage and operationalized in months rather than years." This innovative shift is designed to enhance agility, ensuring that commercial companies can respond swiftly to the evolving demands of national security operations.

Looking Ahead

The Bridge Program also plans to leverage DIU portfolio companies as a testing ground for solutions that address post-award challenges, which include issues related to security clearances, access to classified spaces, technology accreditation, and testing procedures. The deployment of CIaaS represents the first effort under this umbrella, laying the groundwork for further enhancements in accessibility for additional companies in the defense sector.

Founded in 2021, Nooks has quickly established itself as a pioneering force in the realm of CIaaS. Its focus on creating an extensive network of accredited classified workspaces and integrated managed security services underscores its importance in the contemporary defense landscape. With its ambitious plans and recent contract, the company is poised to significantly alter the dynamics of technology utilization in national security operations, fostering a more robust defense industry capable of responding to ever-evolving threats.

For more updates on Nooks and their initiatives, visit their website at nooks.works.