Navy using apps to teach sailors about privacy and records management
(U.S. Navy graphics by Norman Bridges/Released)
The Navy has made online training modules that teach sailors best practices for guarding their personal data available on a new platform: smartphones.
As part of a broad initiative to introduce mobile apps into the service’s day-to-day operations, the Navy’s CIO announced in April that two new apps providing Navy General Military Training would be available for download on the iTunes app store and Android Google Play marketplace.
“The mobile apps are an extension of our training to offer alternate methods to our workforce,” said Rear Adm. Mike White, commander of the Naval Education and Training Command. “We want the resources readily available and at your fingertips.”
The apps cover privacy and personally identifiable information awareness, and records management, which includes digital prioritization training that encourages the elimination of hard copies in favor of virtual records.
Intended for use on “bring your own” devices, the apps are geared toward active duty soldiers, reserve forces and civilian staff, but the Navy has encouraged others to use it as an informational tool.
When a servicemember completes the training module, the apps automatically send a certificate of completion to the Navy Training Management System and allows users the option to email a copy to their direct supervisor.
The apps were produced as part of the Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems’ Sea Warrior Program, which focuses on “rapidly identifying and implementing affordable IT solutions to Navy business and readiness problems for Sailors.” It curates the largest Navy educational portal, at 1 million users, and has overseen the completion of 40 million training modules since its inception in 2000.
