Pentagon to Open Communications Networks to Apple Devices in 2014

[MacRumors]

The U.S. Department of Defense today announced (via Bloomberg) a "commercial mobile device implementation plan" that would allow iOS and Android devices to be used on its secure classified and protected unclassified communication networks beginning in February 2014.

The implementation plan establishes a framework to equip the department's 600,000 mobile-device users with secure classified and protected unclassified mobile solutions that leverage commercial off-the-shelf products, promote the development and use of mobile applications to improve functionality, decrease costs, and enable increased personal productivity.* The plan orchestrates a series of operational pilots from across the DoD components that will incorporate lessons learned, ensure interoperability, refine technical requirements, influence commercial standards, and create operational efficiencies for DoD mobile users.

As Bloomberg notes, BlackBerry is currently the dominant device at the Pentagon with almost 450,000 devices being used by its employees. Over the past several years, BlackBerry has seen its enterprise dominance chipped away by Apple devices, as corporations and other government agencies have been trading in their BlackBerry devices for iOS and Android ones.

This would mark the first time that commercial products like iPhones and iPads would be allowed on the department's classified networks. The department also plans to create a military mobile applications store and hire a contractor that would build a network system capable of handling as many as 8 million devices.

Teri Takai, the DoD's chief information officer, said that the move is about "keeping the department's workforce relevant" in a time where information accessibility and cybersecurity are crucial to "mission success." The department currently uses older BlackBerry devices, but the company is set to launch its new BlackBerry Z10 phone, based on the company's revamped operating system, next month.

Article Link: Pentagon to Open Communications Networks to Apple Devices in 2014

[smallnshort247]

Now people won't need to carry a Blackberry & iPhone. Time to consolidate!

[Mobster1983]

About damn time. I hate hate hate having to carry a Blackberry around all the time along with my personal iPhone.

[George Knighton]

Originally Posted by smallnshort247

Now people won't need to carry a Blackberry & iPhone. Time to consolidate!

I'll be waiting to see if we have to sell an iPhone without a camera, in order to satisfy some of the requirements.

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Originally Posted by haddman

I was in some of the meetings at Apple's offices in Reston VA when they were working an early pilot a few years ago...part of of the problem was Apple's refusal to open certain API's of the software to be modified to conform with DISA security requirements.

The President's Blackberry isn't much of a Blackberry under the skin. I'm sure they'll figure it out.

[Mr. Retrofire]

I doubt that commercial devices have the necessary shielding.

[ArchAndroid]

BlackBerry lost.

[AlbertEinstein]

secure classified and protected unclassified communication networks

So it's a classified unclassified network?

[Moshe1010]

I don't think the US government would survive until iOS 7, so 2014?

[flat five]

iDrone

[el-John-o]

Originally Posted by AlbertEinstein

So it's a classified unclassified network?

They are referring to two different networks. The U.S. has lots of different 'terms' defining how sensitive information is. Secret, Top Secret, Classified, Protected, etc. etc. They have both protected, unclassified networks, and secure classified networks.

Although I've only seen the truly secure pentagon stuff (in pictures and stuff) via ethernet. Check out any pictures of the "situation room" or other high profile, highly classified areas within the pentagon. All of the laptops are connected via ethernet (tagged with 'classified' ribbons around the cable).

My younger brother is in the Navy and works in information security and network administration. He says they use ethernet alone for everything classified. So one might think that the 'protected unclassified' would be a form of secure Wi-Fi for devices. Or just a separate network entirely. I wouldn't be surprised if the 'secured classified' network was completely isolated, not physically or otherwise connected to any other network OR to the internet.

Interestingly though, this article makes it seem like the iPhones and Android devices would be connected to what they are describing as 'secured classified'. So maybe they are opening up the classified (or already have) network to Wi-Fi?

Who knows. Sure is pretty interesting though.

[haddman]

Originally Posted by el-John-o

They are referring to two different networks. The U.S. has lots of different 'terms' defining how sensitive information is. Secret, Top Secret, Classified, Protected, etc. etc. They have both protected, unclassified networks, and secure classified networks.

Although I've only seen the truly secure pentagon stuff (in pictures and stuff) via ethernet. Check out any pictures of the "situation room" or other high profile, highly classified areas within the pentagon. All of the laptops are connected via ethernet (tagged with 'classified' ribbons around the cable).

My younger brother is in the Navy and works in information security and network administration. He says they use ethernet alone for everything classified. So one might think that the 'protected unclassified' would be a form of secure Wi-Fi for devices. Or just a separate network entirely. I wouldn't be surprised if the 'secured classified' network was completely isolated, not physically or otherwise connected to any other network OR to the internet.

Interestingly though, this article makes it seem like the iPhones and Android devices would be connected to what they are describing as 'secured classified'. So maybe they are opening up the classified (or already have) network to Wi-Fi?

Who knows. Sure is pretty interesting though.

There are secure HAIPE encryption devices that allow for connection to classified networks via commercial cell and satellite networks.

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Most organizations will be using Good Mobile for enterprise management. I think many will be supporting BYOD at some point in the future. I work for DoD and we are in pilot mode now, however the devices are so locked down you won't be able to use it for much other than actual work. No safari, no itunes, no apps not approved by the admin etc etc....and if a device gets jailbroken it would be detected by the Good for enterprise server and the device would be locked out.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by AlbertEinstein

So it's a classified unclassified network?

No. There are multiple networks that are not interconnected

[RolyPolyBird]

"The department also plans to create a military mobile applications store and hire a contractor that would build a network system capable of handling as many as 8 million devices. "

lol the military industrial complex. Meanwhile more and more Americans slip into poverty and turn to meth.

[manual123]

Originally Posted by Mr. Retrofire

I doubt that commercial devices have the necessary shielding.

Sheilding from what may I ask?

[GenesisST]

Originally Posted by manual123

Sheilding from what may I ask?

Phasers and proto torpedoes... /geek

[Mr_Ed]

Originally Posted by Mr. Retrofire

I doubt that commercial devices have the necessary shielding.

Shielding from what? Besides, BB are commercial devices and they are being used in this context.

[GermanyChris]

Originally Posted by el-John-o

They are referring to two different networks. The U.S. has lots of different 'terms' defining how sensitive information is. Secret, Top Secret, Classified, Protected, etc. etc. They have both protected, unclassified networks, and secure classified networks.

Although I've only seen the truly secure pentagon stuff (in pictures and stuff) via ethernet. Check out any pictures of the "situation room" or other high profile, highly classified areas within the pentagon. All of the laptops are connected via ethernet (tagged with 'classified' ribbons around the cable).

My younger brother is in the Navy and works in information security and network administration. He says they use ethernet alone for everything classified. So one might think that the 'protected unclassified' would be a form of secure Wi-Fi for devices. Or just a separate network entirely. I wouldn't be surprised if the 'secured classified' network was completely isolated, not physically or otherwise connected to any other network OR to the internet.

Interestingly though, this article makes it seem like the iPhones and Android devices would be connected to what they are describing as 'secured classified'. So maybe they are opening up the classified (or already have) network to Wi-Fi?

Who knows. Sure is pretty interesting though.

I can't imagine any widespread adoption of WiFi on classified networks we have trouble with WiFi on unclassified networks. We'll see though maybe in sealed briefing rooms where they can insure the signal doesn't travel out of the walls.

Originally Posted by katewes

Is this the Department of Defence just bowing to market pressure to allow the two dominant mobile platforms to be used - or have they really tested iOS and Android to be secure enough? Begs that question whether the decision was made before or after the recent spate of security flaws in iOS 6.1, 6.1.1 and 6.1.2?

Does the DoD allow Microsoft Windows computers - I guess, if they do (as I assume), then really it's anything goes.

I have a few acquaintances at DA IA I've been told that thay have been testing iOS and Android since 09.

[manual123]

Originally Posted by GermanyChris

I can't imagine any widespread adoption of WiFi on classified networks we have trouble with WiFi on unclassified networks. We'll see though maybe in sealed briefing rooms where they can insure the signal doesn't travel out of the walls.



I have a few acquaintances at DA IA I've been told that thay have been testing iOS and Android since 09.

I've seen personally my squadron testing Wifi adoption for both Nipr and Sipr so i can believe it. Question is of course, how well will this work with PDA's and the such. Here they were using a encryption device attached to the computers so i doupt there would be KIV-7s attached to iPhones around the office.

[GermanyChris]

Originally Posted by manual123

I've seen personally my squadron testing Wifi adoption for both Nipr and Sipr so i can believe it. Question is of course, how well will this work with PDA's and the such. Here they were using a encryption device attached to the computers so i doupt there would be KIV-7s attached to iPhones around the office.

But you could put the WiFi behind the KIV so all the devices share the single KIV encryption..

You're a squadron so I'm assuming you have "briefing rooms" than can go secure. It don't imagine it would be tough to control in an environment like that? But what do we do here in my 60yo building where the SIPR boxes sit in a room with a Window? I would imagine it's been worked out but I'd like to see it..

[ifonlyihad1]

more jailbreaking customers

[ThunderSkunk]

Huh. For the kind of... they'd at very least need their own OS.

...if not hardware.

I can't imagine how they'd make use of stock consumer hardware.

[flat five]

Originally Posted by ThunderSkunk

Huh. For the kind of... they'd at very least need their own OS.

...if not hardware.

I can't imagine how they'd make use of stock consumer hardware.

apple will make 2million of them.. and make similar profit as if they sold 10m consumer phones.. with a lot less work involved than selling the 10m ..

no biggie..


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and make no mistake re: this new marriage (at least, new to me)

nobody.. and i mean nobody on this planet walks around with that much cash and doesn't have a big time say in what's going on..
they're also further enhanced by how much more content we're being fed as opposed to via TV..

i'm just sayin..you know?

[japanime]

When I first saw that huge Department of Defense logo on the front page of Macrumors, I thought the website had been hit with an ICE takedown!

[locust76]

Originally Posted by ThunderSkunk

Huh. For the kind of... they'd at very least need their own OS.

...if not hardware.

I can't imagine how they'd make use of stock consumer hardware.

Military hardware has been behind consumer technology in terms of speed/power/everything for many, many years now.

[flat five]

Originally Posted by locust76

Military hardware has been behind consumer technology in terms of speed/power/everything for many, many years now.

you speak the truth! i mean, i can't believe the u.s military is still using hellfire missiles..
get with the program washington!