Defense Android users will be able to browse Web and send messages securely

Defense Department employees will be able to send and receive encrypted emails, browse the Web safely, and access security applications on their Android devices.

Good Technology has announced that its mobile management software is the first to be certified by the Defense Information Systems Agency for use with tablet computers and smartphones that employ the Android operating system.

The software was initially approved for use with the Dell Streak 5 tablet computer; Good has started partnering with other hardware companies to help them win DISA certification.

Good's software complies with a Defense Department policy setting a messaging standard known as secure, multipurpose Internet mail extensions. This standard requires use of cryptologic keys in conjunction with the Common Access Cards needed to enter military computers and networks, according to Good.

A DISA spokeswoman said the Good certification fits with the agency's overall strategy to support mobile computing in a secure, enterprise environment.

Secure Android will wirelessly pass and manage sensitive data from Microsoft Exchange servers located in Defense Department data centers via Good's email application to end-point Android devices using a Federal Information Processing Standard 140-2-validated cryptographic module with protection for data-at-rest as well as data-in-transit, Good said.