Pioneers Concept for Secure Commercially-Based AI Environment Designed for Real-World Naval Applications

Connection (PC Connection, Inc.; NASDAQ: CNXN), a leading information technology solutions provider to business, government, healthcare, and education markets, is pleased to announce the CNXN Helix Center for Applied AI and Robotics has been awarded a first-place prize as part of the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic Palmetto Tech Bridge's Secure Commercially-Based Artificial Intelligence Environment for Real-World Naval Applications prize challenge.

The NIWC Atlantic Palmetto Tech Bridge, in collaboration with the Program Executive Office for Manpower, Logistics and Business Solutions, issued the challenge, seeking generative AI and machine learning solutions that will enable Navy users to use secure AI capabilities in a practical, real-world way.

Jamal Khan, Head of the CNXN Helix Center for Applied AI and Robotics said, “Securing a first-place win in a Department of the Navy prize challenge is a testament to the innovativeness of the CNXN Helix team—and a validation of our expertise, technical capabilities, and deep understanding of the AI landscape and our clients’ challenges. We are proud to help the Department of the Navy develop a highly adaptable, secure environment to address their growing AI needs and we look forward to building on this success.”

The winning concept from CNXN Helix demonstrates a secure, pre-configured environment that supports both experimentation and operational use by non-AI/ML experts. Designed to operate as an air-gapped AI environment, the platform offers a flexible, scalable solution for mission-critical operations. The proposed concept features both custom and commercially available components that utilize industry-standard best practices to ensure data security, isolation, and confidential computing at every layer.

The Secure Commercially-Based AI Environment for Real-World Naval Applications Challenge is part of the U.S. Government’s efforts to recognize outstanding achievements in basic, advanced, and applied research, technology development, and prototype development. Connection is proud to participate in this prize competition and any additional follow-on acquisition opportunities. To learn more about CNXN Helix and the team’s award-winning AI solutions, visit www.cnxnhelix.com.

About Connection

PC Connection, Inc. and its subsidiaries, dba Connection, (www.connection.com; NASDAQ: CNXN) is a Fortune 1000 company headquartered in Merrimack, NH. With offices throughout the United States, Connection delivers custom-configured computer systems overnight from its ISO 9001:2015 certified technical configuration lab at its distribution center in Wilmington, OH. In addition, the Company has over 2,500 technical certifications to ensure that it can solve the most complex issues of its customers. Connection also services international customers through its GlobalServe subsidiary, a global IT procurement and service management company. Investors and media can find more information about Connection at http://ir.connection.com.

Connection Business Solutions (800.800.5555) is a rapid-response provider of IT products and services serving primarily the small-and medium-sized business sector. It offers more than 460,000 brand-name products through its staff of technically trained sales account managers, publications, and its website at www.connection.com.

Connection Enterprise Solutions (561.237.3300), www.connection.com/enterprise, provides corporate technology buyers with best-in-class IT solutions, in-depth IT supply-chain expertise, and real-time access to over 460,000 products and 1,600 vendors through MarkITplace^®, a proprietary next-generation, cloud-based supply chain solution. The team’s engineers, software licensing specialists, and subject matter experts help reduce the cost and complexity of buying hardware, software, and services throughout the entire IT lifecycle.

Connection Public Sector Solutions (800.800.0019), is a rapid-response provider of IT products and services to federal, state, and local government agencies and educational institutions through specialized account managers, publications, and online at www.connection.com/publicsector.

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