Department of Defense personnel are using unauthorized mobile applications on their government-issued mobile devices, potentially jeopardizing sensitive national security information, according to a report released by the agency’s Office of Inspector General on Feb. 9.
The partially redacted management advisory found that Pentagon employees are “downloading mobile applications to their DOD mobile devices that could pose operational and cybersecurity risks to DOD information and information systems,” including apps used for dating, gaming, encrypted messaging and purchasing luxury yachts. This type of unfettered access to unsanctioned mobile apps on government devices, the IG noted, increases the risk “that personnel will download compromised applications that can expose DOD information or introduce malware to DOD systems.”
