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First Android Device Certified For DoD Personnel
aneroid writes "The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) has certified its first secure mobile device running Android 2.2 — the Dell Streak 5. It is certified for use in the Defense Department's secure but unclassified communications. 'Although the Streak 5 is no longer available commercially, Dell is supplying it to DOD because the military likes the form factor,' said John Marinho, director of Dell enterprise mobility solutions. It 'includes a set of Android application interfaces designed to enhance the security of the device. Besides being able to transmit secure unclassified messages, the device can have its data remotely wiped in the event of loss or theft.' The device also has the ability to lock down after multiple unsuccessful password entries and allows admins to remotely control the peripherals and security policy levels on the device. You may recall that President Obama got an NSA-certified phone-PDA to use instead of his BlackBerry. We also discussed a related article last year about the U.S. Army considering smartphones. So, how soon will we start seeing other smartphone vendors bid for secure-communications-devices contracts?"
Go away troll
If it's unclassified info why are they worried about security?
HAHAHAHA!
Since when?
What about all that android malware everyone keeps talking about?
To offset political mods, replace Flamebait with Insightful.
for a semi-complete list of smart phones that DISA is looking at, check here: http://iase.disa.mil/stigs/net_perimeter/wireless/smartphone.html (A simple google search takes you right there).
That being said, IT infrastructure needs to expand and accommodate smart phones, both in the commercial and military world. You can only say NO for so long before everyone starts hearing "640K should be enough for anybody".
Ob: Oxymoron comment
Non-secure, meaning: Do not leave sitting in your car with the records of 500,000 service personnel on it.
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
secure but unclassified
I thought the term was "sensitive but unclassified"...
What about all that android malware everyone keeps talking about?
The device is probably locked down and the user can not install apps. These are highly specialized **work related** devices.
Why there is no certified iPhone? WHY? Are not they superior and hyperior than any other youPhone device!!!
So a smartphone is now an "Android Device" and an android is now a humanoid. Check. When this is weaponized, you can control the humanoid with the android!
BlackBerry has had all of these security features since 2004/2005. Remote wipe, policy enforcement, encryption, etc. Why not use a product that was secure off the shelf? Was it not expensive enough???
"A plan fiendishly clever in its intricacies"- Homer Simpson
Wasn't it a while back that Dell paid Microsoft for a Windows license on all computers even if it didn't ship with Windows?
Not everything useful is classified--especially when you get large amounts of easily categorized data.
For one, you could monitor a soldier's location using a tracker. Infect some statistically significant number of phones, and you have extremely useful logistical data.
This won't fix it, but at least they can make it less trivial to compromise.
One of the primary issues was that if the battery runs out of juice, a soldier can't swap it out for a fresh battery. They brought it up, and Apple basically said "we don't care." So they looked harder at Android.
In at least a sense he/she's right - several Android makers do pay MS a license fee for every Android they ship. I don't recall if Dell is one of them.
It's easier to be a result of the past, but more fun to be a cause of the future! http://www.spacefinancegroup.com/
What I'd really like to know is when can we get something like this secure phone at Verizon?
Of course, then we would need a secure Market..
Everybody knows 3 people with my name.
All that DISA has issued is an "Interim Security Configuration Guide" (see: http://iase.disa.mil/stigs/net_perimeter/wireless/u_android_2.2_dell_iscg_v1r1_20111020.zip), which is for "limited deployment, pilots and demonstrations" (see: http://iase.disa.mil/stigs/net_perimeter/wireless/u_android_iscg_release_memo.pdf). An approved device would have a "Security Technical Implementation Guide" (see: http://iase.disa.mil/stigs/net_perimeter/wireless/smartphone.html), such as BlackBerry and Windows Mobile.
cetroyer
Redhat is accredited to run on classified networks, so I guess it will be easier to get Android in the door.
I am very small, utmostly microscopic.
Thanks for the heads up. If I find one I'll be sure to not connect it to network untill I copy everything off the hd.
by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
tremendous mistake, period. dont come crying to me when all sh!t hits the fan.
> So, how soon will we start seeing other smartphone vendors bid for secure-communications-devices contracts?"
Was at the N.S.A. Trusted Computing Conference last month in Orlando. Saw at least one vendor with smart phones for secure use. I'm not going to dig out the paperwork to find names right now, but one company is offering secure and rugged phones. A lot of other interesting stuff there, as well -- multi-domain systems in the same box with full RF shielding between compartments, "cloud" printing for printing across domains, and a mess of other stuff.
require that these be produced in the USA.
Wouldn't the military be more interrested in something durable? Something like the Motorola Defy? Don't think most devices would like how a soldier would treat them (no offence. Mud/dust/water is not something you can always avoid).
Well, I might have a way, but it only works on a semi spherical planet in a vacuum.
my dell streak must be a military one because it has locked it's self down and doesn't let me to boot it any more.