DISA issuing classified tablets to senior Pentagon officials
The Defense Information Systems Agency is putting mobile tablets capable of accessing classified information in the hands of senior Pentagon leaders for use in the field.
DISA launched a new pilot recently expanding its Department of Defense Mobility Classified Capability-Secret Program to 8-inch tablets, which offers the senior military leaders greater flexibility and the improved user experience they typically would get in the office, according to a release.
DISA officials told FedScoop the program approved and issued Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablets for the pilot.
The DMCC-S program gives Pentagon officials mobile access to the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, the Pentagon’s secure and classified internal internet better known as SIPRNet. Traditionally, the agency issues Samsung Galaxy smartphones as part of the DMCC-S program.
“We’re bringing the mobile device from something you use mostly to consume information from to being able to actually do work on the device,” Jake Marcellus, DOD mobility portfolio manager, said in a statement.
Already, senior leaders — like acting Defense Department CIO John Zangardi, who was the first to receive one of the tablets in May as part of the pilot — are seeing the benefits of the enhanced classified capabilities, such as through the tablets’ support of the department’s Unified Video Dissemination System, which allows officials to view live full-motion video feeds for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, DISA said.
“DISA understands global senior leaders require highly secure mobile solutions/devices to be always on and always connected,” said Leticia Parra, DMCC-S tablet pilot program manager.
“While the yearlong pilot is in its initial stages, it will be a game changer across the department,” Parra added. “As we continue to enhance capabilities, modern information technology will continue to join forces with cybersecurity to provide situational awareness and create a manageable battlefield communications infrastructure.”
DISA has issued the tablets to 23 other officials in addition to Zangardi.
