Samsung announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Defense has approved the use of its Knox enabled mobile devices in DoD's security networks
Samsung Galaxy S4 will be the first Android device to get an approval from the Pentagon as it apparently meets all the high security requirements. Samsung said that its Knox-security software provides additional security for Android devices, according to the press release. It provides a separate secure work environment with all the files and data protected by multilayered security
The introduction of the Knox security software in the Samsung Galaxy S4 may have done the trick in getting the go-ahead for government use.
"We are very pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Defense has approved Samsung Knox-enabled devices for use in DoD networks," Samsung Mobile President JK Shin said in a statement. "This approval enables other government agencies and regulated industries such as health care and financial services to adopt Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets. This is a significant milestone for Samsung as we work to grow our relationships within government and large corporate enterprises."
Samsung S4 making its way to the DISA's Unified Communications Approved Product List is quite an accomplishment. Android is well known to attract malware as it is open to any source for its application downloads and not just the Play store. This is unlike Apple, where users can only download apps from Apple store There are more opportunities for malware to slip through. But Samsung's efforts for fill in all security holes comes with the Knox, part of Samsung's SAFE initiative.
Blackberry was the only mobile making company exclusive to government use until last year, when DoD announced that it will introduce other mobile devices into its security network.
But Blackberry did not feel threatened as it holds a strong position in making the world's most secure mobile devices.
"Whatever any of our competitors announce, one thing won't change. The most secure mobile computing solution is a BlackBerry device running on a BlackBerry platform," David Smith, executive vice president of mobile computing for BlackBerry, said in February.
The Department of Defense approved the use of Blackberry 10 devices to be used within DoD networks, Thursday, which includes the Blackberry Z10, Q10 smartphones and Playbook tablets.
With Blackberry and Samsung getting an approval from the Pentagon, it leaves a big question whether Apple will also be making it through, and if yes, when? It is said that Apple is already seeking an approval from the DoD for its iOS 6 operating system, which is likely to happen in the coming weeks.
