"We will charge a small premium over a standard dedicated circuit because of the extra security services. But given all that you get, it's a great deal," White says. "Agencies are crazy not to buy the bundle."

Gowen says the next push for MTIPS providers like Qwest will be getting critical U.S. industries such as defense contractors, electric utilities and water companies to buy similar Internet security services.

"If you think about the power grids being attacked, this kind of service is applicable to them," Gowen says. "All of us have great potential to build a good commercial base using the capabilities that we're developing for the federal government....Having trusted enclaves makes sense, and there's a huge need for it."