The U.S. Department of Homeland Security let a cybersecurity contract worth $6 billion to 17 companies, including Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD), Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE:CSC) and Northrup Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), as Washington seeks to heighten protection of computers from hackers, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday.

One of the companies getting work is Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH), the former employer of NSA leaker Edward Snowden

The contract, which extend for as long as five years, is part of what may become the largest unclassified cybersecurity program in the U.S. government.

Companies awarded seats on the contract will provide central hubs from which local, state and federal agencies can buy hardware and software and also get consulting services.

Other companies winning seats on the Department of Homeland Security contract are SAIC, Inc. (NYSE:SAI), Dynamics Research Corporation (Nasdaq:DRCO), ManTech International Corp (Nasdaq:MANT), Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ), International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM), SRA International Inc. and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc (Nasdaq:KTOS), Bloomberg said.