Apple's iPhone, iPad to be granted Pentagon security clearance next week
The U.S. Department of Defense said on Friday that it plans to allow Apple's iOS devices onto the Pentagon's secure network early next week, opening the door for lucrative military contracts currently dominated by BlackBerry.
Alana Johnson, a spokesperson for the Pentagon?s Defense Information Systems Agency, told Bloomberg that, if approved next week, government-issued devices running Apple's iOS 6 would be granted access to highly secure military networks.
The news comes one week after Apple's smartphone rival Samsung had its Knox-compatible devices cleared for use on DoD systems. That report also noted devices running the latest BlackBerry 10 operating system received certification.
Apple has recently made significant headway in the government sector, and recently saw the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Computer Security Division grant FIPS 140-2 certification to iOS CoreCrypto Kernel Module v3.0, a module found in iOS 6.
While a step in the right direction for Apple, the Pentagon must first build out a mobile device management system in order for iPhone and iPads to proliferate in the secure environment, Johnson said. There is currently no timeline for such a project.
Alana Johnson, a spokesperson for the Pentagon?s Defense Information Systems Agency, told Bloomberg that, if approved next week, government-issued devices running Apple's iOS 6 would be granted access to highly secure military networks.
The news comes one week after Apple's smartphone rival Samsung had its Knox-compatible devices cleared for use on DoD systems. That report also noted devices running the latest BlackBerry 10 operating system received certification.
Apple has recently made significant headway in the government sector, and recently saw the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Computer Security Division grant FIPS 140-2 certification to iOS CoreCrypto Kernel Module v3.0, a module found in iOS 6.
While a step in the right direction for Apple, the Pentagon must first build out a mobile device management system in order for iPhone and iPads to proliferate in the secure environment, Johnson said. There is currently no timeline for such a project.
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shogun
What do they do about the camera?
The camera can be disabled in the security profile. Note that these approvals are just to access sensitive information networks - not anything classified.
The United States Department of Defense already has Blackberry Enterprise Server 10? Do you have a source?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacBook Pro
The United States Department of Defense already has Blackberry Enterprise Server 10? Do you have a source?
Dunno if they're using it yet, but they approved it:
http://press.blackberry.com/press/2013/blackberry-10-smartphones-approved-for-use-on-u-s--department-of.html
"...the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has approved BlackBerry® 10 smartphones and BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablets with BlackBerry® Enterprise Service 10 to be used on DoD networks."
Uncle Fester isn't even on the map with his Fisher-Price phone. Locked out for the next 6 years, and double that if the government just renews the contract.
Oh, and the Surface RT & Pro aren't allowed in either. Only the Apple iPad... not Samscum, no one but Apple. w00t!!!!
Wow, I haven't seen a w00t!!!! for a long time! But yep I agree .
Quote:
Originally Posted by Macky the Macky
Uncle Fester isn't even on the map with his Fisher-Price phone. Locked out for the next 6 years, and double that if the government just renews the contract.
Oh, and the Surface RT & Pro aren't allowed in either. Only the Apple iPad... not Samscum, no one but Apple. w00t!!!!
Reportedly Knox-enabled Samsung tablets as well as Blackberry Playbooks are also on the approved tablet list.
Quote:
Originally Posted by scotttrader
Dusty old play books really????
Recycled from the Washington Senators and Bullets.
Cheers
So there is a management system ready for android?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrewPalmer
Does this mean we can use all our iDevices on planes without security checks, or is it still only the Macbook Air 11" that is exempt from TSA screening?
This story has absolutely nothing to do with your question. And where did you get the idea that the MacBook Air 11" is exempt from TSA screening. That's simply not true and we can already use our iDevices on commercial airlines where permitted. You seem to be really confused or not very knowledgeable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AdamC
So there is a management system ready for android?
Apparently some parts of the DoD are currently using a product called "airwatch" for their Android devices.
However, an RFP was put out late last year for a "Mobile Device Manager and Mobile Application Store" (MDM-MAS) that can support...
"...devices running iOS 5 and newer OS versions as well as Android 2.2 and newer versions. The subsequent versions are to be supported within three months of public release. DoD says it also wants bidders to offer the capability to manage Blackberry OS, Windows Mobile 6, Windows Phone 8, Windows 8 RT and newer Windows versions. The Blackberry and Windows support, however, isn’t an absolute requirement."
In other words, the government eventually wants to have one single MDM that covers all consumer mobile devices.
Article Here
There is loose collaboration in several government agencies to create a secure government mobile device management solution.
In some instances though Apple is clearly preferred. While in some instances BlackBerry is preferred. The only other solution appears to be a nonexistent, non-Apple, non-BlackBerry solution.
There is significant emphasis on platform independent programming whenever possible as well as a platform neutral App Store.