Oct
17
Written by:
CIO/G-6
10/17/2011 8:27 AM
Everywhere I travel; Soldiers and Industry alike are interested in when a new technology might be available for use on the Army Network. Tablets are no exception and I am happy to report the Army continues to expand its work in this area. Currently, there are several tablet devices available on the Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) catalogue [chess.army.mil] that units and organizations can evaluate and purchase if appropriate. Each has achieved the baseline requirements in security, environmental protection and Trade Act Agreement to be integrated and managed using our existing capability.
In addition to these items already available through CHESS, the Army is evaluating the user experience with the Fujitsu Q550. We selected the Fujitsu for a limited participation evaluation because it fully meets all the security requirements. It operates an Approved Army Operating System, it has a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip that enables adherence to Data at Rest (DAR) guidelines, and is Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 Compliant. Also, very important in the consideration was the integration of the Common Access Card (CAC) on the Fujitsu. The Fujitsu has it built into the device so there is no need for an external CAC reader. This enables the use of CAC Authentication and the ability to electronically sign and encrypt email. This feature is a popular because of the convenience it provides.
Our “way ahead” is to complete the evaluation and usability exercise of the Fujitsu. From this evaluation, we will know our security, usability, and manageability requirements. We will summarize these and make them available to industry. We have already been in discussion with industry leaders such as Dell, HP, DT Research and others, looking at Tablet/Slate devices. Additionally, we are collaborating with the Office of the Secretary Of Defense (OSD) Information Assurance Program Office (DIAP) to bring Hardware and Software Vendors into a forum where they can present their products to a larger Department of Defense (DoD) community.
iPads and like-devices are not currently approved for network integration.
Regards,
SGM McCrary
3 comment(s) so far...
Re: SGM McCrary Discusses What it Takes to be a Net-worthy Tablet
I would like to participate in this testing; I am in an RTI and feel there is a great benefit to have these for students that attend courses. We have to have a lot of manuals printed for OCS and WOCS students along with others. With the changes in the manuals and SOP's from various other units we have contact with; it would save a great deal on paper and allow them to use the tables to research during class study time. How do I get involved with the testing?
By WO1 Schlieve, Jeffrey on
10/27/2011 11:13 AM
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Re: SGM McCrary Discusses What it Takes to be a Net-worthy Tablet
I see that the consolidated buy window is closed until January and that there are no devices listed as available. I too would like to participate in testing as I work in the proponent for Public Affairs. As you can imagine, we have significant requirements for acquisition, processing and delivery of imagery and other information products. We are definitely interested in representing our user community in any test and evaluation of mobile technologies in particular but equally in the range of processing applications and hardware as well. I can be contacted at the Army Public Affairs Center.
By Ken Clauson on
11/3/2011 2:24 PM
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Re: SGM McCrary Discusses What it Takes to be a Net-worthy Tablet
At Natick we are also testing the Fujitsu Q550. We have succesful installed the Natick Windows 7 test image which is based on the AGM 10 for Windows 7. Our current test system uses Windows BitLocker for the DAR solution. Some additional settings and Windows features have been tweeked, disabled or removed in order to gain better performance. The SCCM and HBSS clients are installed for patching/updating thus maintaining compliance. It basically has same security desired by DoD and the Army. Overall it's performce is slower than the original OS (standard Windows 7 Professional). Testers have yet to determine if the permance is acceptable. I am amazed at its ability to reconize my "chicken scratch". We would like to participate and learn what anyones lessons learned are and share our experience. Example: Has anyone successfully used SCCM to deploy an image to the Q550? We are only able to use Windows PE and Microsoft's ImageX to install an image. Obviuosly, installation from AGM DVDs is also possible.
By Robert White, IT Specialist for the Natick RD&E Ce on
11/15/2011 9:41 AM
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