[SatNews] ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq:VSAT) has been awarded the first Defense Security Service (DSS) Award of Excellence in Counterintelligence in a ceremony at ViaSat January 24.

The DSS recently created the award to recognize the cleared defense contractor who best demonstrates the ability to stop foreign theft of U. S. defense technology each year. ViaSat was one of just two companies selected out of over 13,000 cleared contractors. The Excellence in Counterintelligence Award recognizes exceptional actions by ViaSat that led directly to neutralizing foreign-directed attempts to illegally obtain U.S. defense technology.

“All cleared contractors work hard to stop these very real threats to our national security information and intellectual property, so to be recognized by the DSS for exceptional performance is really an honor. It’s a tribute to the dedication of our security team and all employees who remain vigilant in reporting suspicious activity to us,” said Bob Rota, VP Facilities and Security at ViaSat. The DSS Counterintelligence Directorate evaluates contractors’ reporting and outcomes of suspicious contacts. The agency considers several factors on a weighted scale of investigations or initiation of operations by a federal law enforcement or intelligence agency based on contractor reporting.