Another blow for BlackBerry: Apple, Samsung devices to gain security approval from DoD

The United States Department of Defense will reportedly grant security approval to Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones and Apple’s iPhone and iPad running iOS 6 for use by Pentagon officials, according to The Wall Street Journal. Both companies have been pressing officials to grant them clearance and allow Defense employees to switch from outdated BlackBerry devices. The Defense Information Systems Agency, which is in charge of sanctioning commercial technology for use in the Pentagon, will reportedly determine in the coming weeks that Samsung’s Galaxy line of smartphones that come preloaded with the company’s Knox security software comply with the agency’s Security Technology Implementation Guide. In a separate determination, the agency is also expected to allow Apple’s smartphones and tablets running iOS 6 to be used by military agencies for “nonclassified communications,” such as email and basic Web browsing.x