Some additional Apple devices will now be allowed on Defense Department networks.
The Defense Information Systems Agency on Friday announced the approval of the Apple iOS 6 Security Technical Implementation Guide or STIG.
Approval of the STIG means government-issued iOS 6 mobile devices are allowed for use when connecting to the department’s networks within current mobility pilots or in the future Mobile Device Management framework.
The May 17 release joins the previously approved STIGs for the BlackBerry and Samsung Knox operating systems as DISA looks to build a multivendor environment for its mobility device management system, which is in source selection now and anticipated for award in early summer, DISA said.
“All of these pieces must be in place to allow the secure use of commercial mobile devices on department networks,” said Mark Orndorff, DISA information assurance executive and program executive officer for mission assurance and network ops, in a released statement. “DISA is running a pilot program today where we bring this all together.”
The recently released DOD mobile strategy includes mobile devices configured to the STIG in combination with an actively managed and defended MDM system, which provides a process for managing and distributing mobile applications and an enhanced cyber defense infrastructure.
Orders of the iOS – and other STIG-approved devices – will be tied to identification of specific operational requirements and funding availability of using organizations.
DOD currently has more than 600,000 commercial mobile devices in operational and pilot use, including approximately 470,000 BlackBerrys, 41,000 Apple operating systems and 8,700 Android systems.
The STIG does not allow personally acquired mobile devices to connect to DOD networks.
