{"id":11893,"date":"2019-02-12T03:06:44","date_gmt":"2019-02-12T03:06:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/uncategorized\/2019\/02\/12\/marines-have-been-downloading-to-their-phones-this-software-that-helps-coordinate-air-support-that-error-and-big-cyber-flaws-are-putting-lives-at-risk\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:15:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:15:55","slug":"marines-have-been-downloading-to-their-phones-this-software-that-helps-coordinate-air-support-that-error-and-big-cyber-flaws-are-putting-lives-at-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/home\/2019\/02\/12\/marines-have-been-downloading-to-their-phones-this-software-that-helps-coordinate-air-support-that-error-and-big-cyber-flaws-are-putting-lives-at-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Marines have been personally downloading this software that helps coordinate air support. How that error and big cyber flaws are putting lives at risk."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Navy inspector general report has concluded that a series of popular software used in Android tablets that aid Marines and Navy personnel in coordinating precision air power<\/a> and battlefield situational awareness had significant cyber vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The software, known as Kilswitch and APASS, was developed by Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Digital Precision Strike Suite for use in small tactical handheld Android tablets<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those tablets and software are in the hands of thousands of Marines and other service members, some who have been using it in real-world operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vulnerable software potentially puts Marines and sailors at substantial risk by hackers and sophisticated near-peer rivals like Russia, who could hack the devices in an effort to glean sensitive battlefield information or location data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A U.S. Air Force combat control Airman from the 320th Special Tactics\r\rSquadron, and U.S. Marine Corps marine joint terminal attack controllers\r\rfrom the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary\r\rForce, call in close air support March 10, 2017, at the Irisuna Jima Training Range, Okinawa, Japan. Members of the 320th STS and III MEF frequently training together to in order to maintain an understanding of each other’s practices and capabilities. Combat control Airmen and JTAC Marines are experts at calling in air support in hostile, complex environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A letter to President Donald Trump from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel following the investigation noted that the complex process by which military software is evaluated had been \u201ctotally circumvented.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe blatant disregard for procedure endangered the lives of military personnel,\u201d the letter stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the inspector general\u2019s report stated the cyber vulnerabilities could be mitigated if Marines and sailors used the software as originally stipulated in the services\u2019 issued authorizations to operate, or ATO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those ATOs approved the use of Killswitch and APASS only on government authorized devices and tablets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IG report noted that a number of Marines downloaded the software, where it was available on internal unit websites, onto personal tablets and devices that may not provide adequate security protections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe internal marketing of the software contributed to its widespread use,\u201d the special counsel\u2019s letter reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The software and tablets have been popular with Marines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During an experimental urban exercise in March 2018, held aboard Camp Pendleton, California, Capt. Benjamin Brewster, an infantry company commander said the tablet \u201cgives me the ability to identify the things I think are important on a map. It\u2019s battle tracking we\u2019ve never had before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IG report further state that \u201ccybersecurity was not a concern for the developers because they expected that the software would be used only for its intended purpose, and would not be used widely in operations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the IG report, the Navy directed the Marine commandant and chief of naval operations to ensure the software was being used appropriately in accordance with the ATOs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite these corrective actions, significant concerns remain relating to the extensive and apparently unregulated distribution of the software,” the special counsel said in its letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\t