NSA Chief Has A Special Phone For Top-Secret Messaging

There’s no such thing as a perfectly secure phone, especially if it also connects to the Internet. But leaving your phone on the plane every time you visit a hostile foreign country isn’t an option for everyone, and so a handful of top military commanders now have a device that can send and receive Secret and Top Secret messages.

No surprise: it doesn’t work quite like the one in your pocket.

Developed by Boeing and the Defense Information Systems Agency, the Boeing Black phone has a dual-SIM card that “enables users to switch between government and commercial networks. Boeing Black integrates seamlessly into customer mobile device management systems and virtual private networks,” according to the product data sheet.

One of the recipients is Cyber Command chief Adm. Michael Rogers, said DISA head Lt. Gen. Alan Lynn. That’s not to say that everyone in the military can expect to receive one. “The Boeing Black is the device we’re currently working with,” Lynn said. “We’re just now in the test phase,” he said.

That the military has been working on such a device is no secret. A lot of device manufactures have been eager to meet rising military needs for secure communication. One contender, Silent Circle, co-founded by encryption guru Philip Zimmerman and former Navy Seal Mike Janke, has managed to push a few units into the hands of some military for testing and recreational use.

Lynn said the Boeing Black phone also works with “a large amount of encryption.” But the encryption alone is not what makes the device so secure. “There’s nothing that lives on the devices,” said Lynn. “It’s close to a VDI,” a virtual desktop infrastructure.

What that means is that the most secure phone in the world is, in the purest sense, just a window to another computer, a remote server on the military’s Top Secret JWICS network. That server does all the real work and holds the data. The phone itself just moves input commands, keyboard, mouse, and other signals, to that server. The result, said Lynn: “We’re not too worried about losing data,” at least not off the phone.

But does Rogers like the phone? Lynn said, “I think he does. Haven’t heard any complaints.”

DefenseOne:      Blackphone: Privacy-obsessed Smartphone:     North Korean Leader Has His Own Cellular Network:

 

« Could You Be A UK Cyber-Warrior?
Welcome To A World Without Work (W3) »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Gartner insights into How to Select the Right ZTNA offering. Download this FREE report for a limited time only.

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

Nixon Peabody LLP

Nixon Peabody LLP

Nixon Peabody LLP is an international law firm with offices across the USA, Europe and Asia. Practice areas include Data Privacy and Cyber Security.

Center for Internet Security (CIS)

Center for Internet Security (CIS)

CIS is a nonprofit entity that harnesses the power of a global IT community to safeguard private and public organizations against cyber threats.

Conscia

Conscia

Conscia provides IT infrastructure solutions and 24/7 services in network, data center, security and mobility.

CyberTech Network

CyberTech Network

CyberTECH is a global cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart City network ecosystem and incubator operator.

Agesic

Agesic

Agesic is an institution that leads the development of the Digital Government and the Information and Knowledge Society in Uruguay.

Styra

Styra

Styra allows companies to secure cloud environments and applications, including those built on the popular Kubernetes open-source cloud platform.

IT Career Switch

IT Career Switch

An IT Career Switch Traineeship is the easiest way to start a new career in IT or Cybersecurity with fantastic career prospects.

Silicon Labs

Silicon Labs

Silicon Labs are a leader in secure, intelligent wireless technology for a more connected world. We provide award-winning hardware and software security to help safeguard connected devices.

Abu Dhabi Gov Digital

Abu Dhabi Gov Digital

Gov Digital (formerly Abu Dhabi Digital Authority - ADDA) enable, support and deliver a digital government that is proactive, personalised, collaborative and secure.

FourNet

FourNet

FourNet is an award-winning provider of cloud and managed services; we work closely with our clients to enable digital transformation across their organisation.

Cybergroot

Cybergroot

Cybergroot provides Cybersecurity Assessment services and professional Information Security trainings.

Creative ITC

Creative ITC

Creative ITC is a leading infrastructure and cloud enablement company. We design and deliver exceptional managed services and cloud solutions.

eCapital

eCapital

eCAPITAL is a leading venture capital firm that provides early to growth stage funding to technology companies in fields including software & information technology, cybersecurity and industry 4.0.

HTL Support

HTL Support

HTL Support, your trusted partner for comprehensive IT support in London. We specialize in delivering top-tier IT solutions tailored to both large enterprises and small businesses.

The Purple Guys

The Purple Guys

The Purple Guys offer Trouble-Free IT Support to businesses across the Central and Southern US. Safe and Secure, Rapid Response, Friendly Support that’s our Purple Promise.

Port-IT

Port-IT

Port-IT is a leading partner in cybersecurity solutions tailored for the maritime industry.