The US Department of Defense is anticipated to clear Apple, Samsung and BlackBerry devices for deployment on its networks within few weeks, as part of its effort to let military access the latest communications technology.
The decision, which follows plan in February 2013, would allow DoD to grant separate security approvals for Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones, in addition to iPhones and iPads powered by Apple’s new operating system and BlackBerry devices.
With 600,000 current users of smart phones, computer tablets and other mobile devices, US DoD has about has 470,000 BlackBerry users, 41,000 Apple users and 8,700 people with Android devices.
Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Damien Pickart said that the government is working towards establishing a multi-vendor environment that supports a variety of devices and operating systems, to include Samsung, Apple and BlackBerry.
"A key objective of the plan is to establish a department-wide mobile enterprise solution that permits the use of the latest commercial technology such, as smart phones and tablets," Pickart added.
Currently, several mobile devices and operating systems have been undergoing a security review and approval process with the Defense Information Systems Agency.
After devices complete the clearing process for developing a Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG), Pentagon organisations would be in a position to order them as per the necessary security configuration to be used on the DoD’s internal networks.
