Good Technology Collaborates with Dell and Other Partners to Deliver New Military Grade Secure Android Devices for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Agencies
New offering Achieves Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) Certification from Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)
Good Technology Secure Android Partner Program to Deliver STIG-Certified Android Solutions
SUNNYVALE, Calif. and ROUND ROCK, Texas, Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Good Technology, the leader in secure multiplatform enterprise mobility, today announced that the first secure Android OS-based platform has been certified by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), which will allow Good for Government™ mobile device management and data loss prevention capabilities to be used on the Global Information Grid (GIG). Using the new solution ("Secure Android"), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) personnel will be able to sign, encrypt/decrypt e-mail, utilize a secure partition on the Android device for business applications, and securely access Intranet-based content anytime, from anywhere. This is the first STIG-certified Android OS solution that meets the requirements set forth by DoD Directive 8100.2, which mandates use of secure, multipurpose internet mail extension (S/MIME) in conjunction with a DoD common access card (CAC) and interoperability with the Department of Defense Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). The Secure Android OS was first approved for use on government networks with Dell Streak 5 devices. As part of today's announcement, Good Technology also introduced its Secure Android Partner Program, a joint development initiative targeted at working with device makers interested in leveraging Good's expertise in developing STIG compliant solutions.
Good Technology initially worked with Dell to augment the security framework contained within Android and deploy it on Streak 5 devices. The secure Android platform leverages Good for Government technology to provide secure access to information stored within a command's enclave and usually only accessed with desktops/laptops, such as command and control programs, as well as access to a number of powerful business applications on Dell devices that allows members of the military to operate with desktop-like capabilities in a protected mobile environment. Employees can also access critical agency resources behind the firewall, such as intranets or other web-enabled applications, through an integrated secure browser.
"The world of smartphones, tablets and mobile devices is evolving rapidly and changing the way DoD agencies think about everything from telework to continuity of operations (COOP) as well as information assurance. Having worked closely with the DoD for the past five years, we recognized there was a need to close the gap between what today's DoD personnel were able to perform utilizing currently approved mobility platforms and what they wanted to do," said Chris Roberts, vice president of public sector at Good Technology. "We're proud to be working with Dell, Biometric Associates, LP and other partners to provide a secure way for military personnel to benefit from the latest mobile technology while providing DoD officials with the peace of mind of knowing that sensitive government data is protected."
Using Good for Government's mobility suite, the new solution will pass and manage sensitive data from Microsoft Exchange servers located in DoD data centers via Good's email application to end-point Android devices wirelessly, using a FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic module with AES encryption to ensure data protection for data-at-rest as well as data-in-transit. Good's patented container-based technology prevents data leakage to non-secure applications. The DoD can use Good's Web-based management console to manage Dell Android devices and all other device platforms on the network simultaneously. The management console also allows administrators to block access from potentially compromised devices that may have been rooted by either the end user or a malicious attacker as well as to remotely wipe lost, stolen or retired smartphones to mitigate potential data leakage.
"We recognized the importance of providing personnel with mobile access to information two years ago when we kicked-off the Connecting Soldiers to Digital Applications project for smartphones. As of now, my branch has created about 75 apps—a third of which are on Android," said Lt. Col. Gregory Motes, chief of the Army¹s newly created Mobile Applications Branch at Fort Gordon, Ga. "Until now, troops have had no way to access official Army apps, but with certification for use of the Android OS with Good Technology on Dell's Streak 5, we are one step closer to providing our troops with greater mobility and improved, real-time access to information anytime, anywhere."
Good Technology Secure Android Partner Program
Good Technology partnered with Dell to develop the first iteration of the Secure Android OS. The new solution also incorporates Biometric Associates, LP baiMobile® technology to permit network or client applications residing on the Android device to access the credentials stored on a smart card to perform functions such as digitally signing and decrypting emails, and authenticating to secure web sites and network servers. In addition, developers can leverage the security features of this new solution by integrating BAL's baiMobile®middleware libraries, device drivers and APIs that will allow them to build smart card-enabled applications. Moving forward, Good Technology will be engaging with other device manufacturers interested in creating STIG-certified offerings through its Secure Android Partner Program. The program will provide device manufacturing partners with API specification to comply with STIG guidance, integration of each partners' API with the Good for Government management console, and CAC reader integration in partnership with BAI Certification services. These tools will make their solutions eligible for STIG approval and thus authorized for use within the DoD.
"We're proud to enable the ever-increasing demands on our men and women in uniform to operate outside of office environments with powerful yet secure mobile solutions," said Ian Haynes, client and mobility brand manager, Dell Federal. "At Dell, we believe that what's behind the device is what truly matters – especially for government customers, and with the help of Good Technology, we're now able to bring a solution powered by the flexible Android operating system."
The new Secure Android OS is immediately available for pilot programs on Dell Streak 5 devices provided by Dell and select government resellers including Four Points and Steel Cloud. For more information on Good for Government, please visit: http://good.com/products/good-for-government.php. Parties interested in more on the Good Secure Android Program, please visit http://www.good.com/our_partners/partners-contact.php
About Dell
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. For more information, visit www.dell.com.
Biometric Associates, LP
Biometric Associates, LP is a unique developer, manufacturer, and integrator of authentication and identity systems. Products include smart card middleware for mobile operating systems and Bluetooth smart card readers and headsets specifically designed to provide military-grade security. For additional information, visit www.baimobile.com
About Good Technology
Good Technology combines award-winning enterprise-grade mobile security and control with an exceptional user experience, allowing enterprise and government employees to connect, communicate, and collaborate on their devices of choice. Recognized by the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) as the Best Mobile Operations Management Solution in 2011, Good opens new possibilities for maximizing business and personal productivity by providing secure, easy-to-use, and instant mobile access to data, applications and services on hundreds of mobile devices. Want to know more? Visit www.good.com.
(C) 2011 Good Technology, Inc. and its related entities. All rights reserved. GOOD, GOOD TECHNOLOGY, the GOOD logo, GOOD FOR ENTERPRISE, GOOD FOR GOVERNMENT, GOOD FOR YOU, GOOD DYNAMICS, AND SECURED BY GOOD are trademarks of Good Technology, Inc. and its related entities. All third-party trademarks, trade names, or service marks may be claimed as the property of their respective owners. Good's products and technology and products are protected by U.S. patents and various other foreign patents. Other patents pending. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
Media contacts:
Siobhan Lyons
Good Technology
430 N. Mary Ave. Suite 200
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone: +1.408.212.7404
Email: [email protected]
Matt Marquess
SparkPR
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San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: +1.415.962.8200
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE Good Technology
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