Samsung’s enhanced security Knox devices became the 1st Android hardware to be approved for internal use by the dept of Defense.

The Defense Information Systems Agency has finished testing the Samsung Galaxy devices using Knox and BB10 smartphones and tablets. Both have passed the stringent security tests, while popularity of Apple’s iOS can also be said to be is on its way.

Although BlackBerry have been the long-standing supplier of enhanced security handsets, with around 600,000 Pentagon officials utilizing them, its dominance is now under threat. The Pentagon may well be buying another 8m smartphones and tablets, with all three manufacturers searching for a work of the action.

“This approval enables other government agencies and controlled industries similar to health care and monetary services to adopt Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets,” said JK Shin, president and CEO of IT and mobile communications at Samsung Electronics. “It is a significant milestone for Samsung as we work to grow our relations within government and huge corporate enterprises.” 

“BlackBerry 10 is right for our government customers since it offers a rich, highly responsive mobile computing experience, which include BlackBerry’s proven and validated security model – a mixture that’s unmatched within the industry,” said Scott Totzke, SVP, BlackBerry Security at BlackBerry. “This approval will enable DoD customers to attach their BlackBerry Z10 or BlackBerry Q10 smartphones to DoD networks and securely access assets from work, while enjoying the wealth of consumer-oriented functionality that BlackBerry 10 brings to market.”