Wanted: Mobile Traffic Cop DISA request highlights need for mobile device management technology to regulate devices and networks.
Seeking a “traffic cop” to enforce policies for both the network and mobile devices, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) recently issued a call to industry for mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application stores (MAS) capabilities. The goal of the MDM is to ensure that security is not compromised by incorrectly configured devices, detect malware and control affected devices. It would also support wireless distribution of applications, remote data-wipes and configuration management and protect assets against data compromise. The MDM request for proposals (RFP) comes at a time of rapid change in mobile devices, given the decline and possible recovery in the popularity of Research in Motion’s (RIM) BlackBerry and a proliferation in alternative devices and operating systems for these devices. As in consumer mobile markets, proliferation offers benefits in functions and pricing. But unlike consumer markets, MDM for defense must meet tough security requirements for devices, operating systems, applications and data. Meeting DISA goals requires expertise in both traditional MDM and strong talents in security. www.MIT-kmi.com
The core of MDM is straightforward, explained Peter Coddington, chief executive officer of PaRaBaL, a mobile security and application development company. “In the old days, a company would issue you a BlackBerry, and they had an enterprise server to manage communication for company needs on BlackBerrys,” he said. “MDM means nothing more or less than that. As large organizations deploy iPhones and Android devices and soon Windows 8 devices, they need a system to manage these.” The potential for bring your own device (BYOD) by users means personal devices may be used for business purposes, creating support challenges. “You could have an application for looking at football scores that also comes with information and attachments,” Coddington noted. “MDM must cope with that.” The PaRaBal CEO sees the current MDM market as the result of Apple’s marketing prowess. Apple wanted to replace BlackBerrys with iPhones, then Google introduced the Android operating system so people could avoid paying high prices for iPhone functions, and now Windows 8 is coming, so Microsoft can compete very effectively. There are now about 84 MDM products in
By Henry Canaday MIT Correspondent
the overall market, both civil and military, Coddington estimated. “Everybody wants to get into that market. Three operating systems add chaos to the field as MDM companies vie for what RIM made for BlackBerrys.” Coddington predicted there will be a major shakeout as MDM vendors decline to five in a few years and eventually to two. “The survivors in the commercial space will be the same as in the military space. The government alone does not spend enough money to support survivors.” Federal customers have rigorous security protocols, with the military the most rigorous. These customers want COTS products adapted to meet tough requirements. “But they don’t want to spend enough money for adaptation,” Coddington said, adding that the government has been slow to develop MDM policies. “They do not understand BYOD, so they do not have a policy on BYOD.” Other differences are less important. The military wants rugged mobile devices for deployment, but commercial devices are already pretty rugged. Lack of communication infrastructure in theater means different communication protocols may be needed and could influence MDM. But this MIT 17.1 | 11