The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General has released a report concerning its audit of select cyber controls meant to secure classified mobile devices that the DOD uses and the information that those devices store or access.
The Importance of DOD Mobile Device Security
The DOD OIG said Monday that the release of the report, titled “Audit of Cybersecurity of DoD Classified Mobile Devices,” was announced by Inspector General Robert Storch, who underscored the criticality of DOD mobile device security to national security.
“In today’s digital environment, mobile devices are indispensable tools that provide the DoD’s workforce with the flexibility and efficiency required to meet their responsibilities. However, they are also a primary target for cyber threats which could compromise data and the national security landscape,” Storch explained, adding, “Securing these devices is not merely a technical priority; it’s a critical operational mandate that enables the DoD to fulfill its mission safely and effectively.”
Audit Findings and Recommendations
The report put forward 40 recommendations to bolster DOD classified mobile device program cybersecurity. These recommendations address the various issues found during the audit.
The audit’s findings include the failure of DOD components to protect accurate or complete classified mobile device records. Components have also not included all required elements for classified mobile device training and user agreements.
