MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 8, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Information Technology (IT) sector has earned International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 20000-1:2005 certification. The certification benchmarks the company's industry-leading approach and capability in delivering world-class IT managed services, including data center management, services and technical support services to external client organizations as an IT service management provider.
The certification is based on the adoption of Information Technology Infrastructure Library best practices. It is one of many standards and framework components of Northrop Grumman's business, quality management and process improvement systems including ISO 9001, ISO 14000, the Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model Integration standard, Statement on Auditing Standards 70 and Six Sigma methodologies.
"Northrop Grumman is part of an elite group of organizations worldwide certified to the ISO 20000 internationally endorsed standard as adhering to the broad range of best practices presented in the Information Technology Infrastructure Library," said Dean Irwin, chief technology officer for Northrop Grumman IT's Commercial, State and Local group. "With this ISO 20000 certification, Northrop Grumman continues to demonstrate leadership in IT service management."
The certification was accomplished through an independent third-party audit by the British Standards Institution (BSI), a management systems registrar. The independent audit verified compliance of standardized, consistent processes and procedures used to support the company's Lafayette, Colo., data center, and Chantilly, Va., facility. To determine continued compliance with ISO 20000, BSI will conduct periodic routine surveillance audits of these operations.
"Achieving ISO 20000 certification reinforces to our customers and employees that we are committed to providing the best possible service and value to meet current and future business needs," said Rapheal Holder, vice president of enterprise operations for Northrop Grumman IT's Commercial, State and Local group.
ISO is a network of the national standards institutes from 156 countries, with headquarters in Geneva. ISO 20000 is the first formal international standard specifically related to IT service management. This standard is based on the established British Standard 15000, which was accepted as an international standard in December 2005, and given the designation of ISO 20000. To be certified, companies must implement an IT service management system that ensures the confidentiality, integrity and availability of both vital corporate and customer information.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.