Department of Defense Awards Innovative Contract to Qualcomm to pilot Actionless Multifactor User Authentication into DoD’s IT systems using Next Generation Hardware-Anchored Mobile Security on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile Platform
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM), today announced that its Qualcomm Cyber Security Solutions (QCSS) division was awarded a contract by the Defense Department to establish an innovative pilot program for the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). The pilot will enable DoD users to access key DoD IT systems using an actionless authentication system that utilizes Qualcomm Technologies’ next generation hardware-anchored device attestation and continuous multi-factor authentication capabilities on the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Mobile Platform. The platform will be integrated with DISA’s Purebred and Public Key Infrastructure systems.
The DoD has used Common Access Cards for several years as the means to authenticate users and grant access to key IT systems. DISA aims to transform users’ experience by providing actionless authentication using next generation security capabilities on mobile devices. DISA sees a strong advantage in a hardware-based approach over traditional software approaches and plans to leverage Qualcomm Technologies’ significant investment in commercial mobile device security and identification technologies to demonstrate the use of hardware-anchored device attestation and continuous multi-factor authentication capabilities for this pilot.
Participants in the DISA pilot will be able to log onto their IT systems and access information leveraging a hardware-anchored capability on Snapdragon Mobile Platform-based mobile devices to attest the identity of the mobile device and use a combination of soft and hard biometric factors that are unique to the user to continuously attest the user’s identity, without the need for a smart card or complex passwords. The solution utilizes the advanced processing power, machine learning capabilities, analytics, and the secure execution environment of the Snapdragon Mobile Platform and operates continuously and transparently to the user. Through this pilot, DISA is leading the way by showcasing how intelligent identity solutions can bring transformative actionless user experiences to mission critical IT systems.
“Qualcomm Cyber Security Solutions is excited to work with DISA on this innovative pilot bringing actionless access to mission-critical IT systems through the use of hardware-anchored capabilities on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile Platform, the same platform Qualcomm provides leading commercial mobile device manufacturers. This effort is not only a significant milestone for the Department of Defense but also for other providers of mission-critical services whose users require secure access and authentication to mission applications without distracting those users from focusing on their immediate mission”, said Kim Koro, Senior Vice President of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc and President of Qualcomm Cyber Security Solutions Division.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm's technologies powered the smartphone revolution and connected billions of people. We pioneered 3G and 4G – and now we are leading the way to 5G and a new era of intelligent, connected devices. Our products are revolutionizing industries, including automotive, computing, IoT, healthcare and data center, and are allowing millions of devices to connect with each other in ways never before imagined. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, all of our engineering, research and development functions, and all of our products and services businesses, including, our QCT semiconductor business. For more information, visit Qualcomm’s website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.
