Remember that super-secure smartphone that General Dynamics’ C4 Systems was working on for government agencies? No? Well, we don’t blame you, but we did mention the General Dynamics Sectera Edge a few months ago. The NSA was courting two vendors, General Dynamics C4 Systems and L-3 Communications, to supply an uber-secure smartphone that could access confidential information on secure government networks without worrying about compromising national security.
Well, it looks like those “engineering models” that General Dynamics delivered to the NSA really tickled their fancy – with GSM, CDMA, and WiFi, it’s not hard to see why. The NSA has just approved the Sectera Edge for use by government agencies/employees – and on time for the expected Q4 delivery. Spies and bureaucrats alike can now order up their very own Sectera Edge and wirelessly surf US government’s Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) and Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet). There’s just something cool about getting access to classified documents on your mobile phone – which makes up for the Sectera Edge’s hideous design.
Oh, and the Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract that the NSA has awarded General Dynamics C4 Systems is reportedly good for up to $300 million over five years. You gotta love those open-ended government contracts.
[Via: CNN]