US thumb drives finally allowed on Pentagon premises
We’ve previously explained how banning something altogether instead of ensuring a safe way to use that piece of technology is not really the smartest idea out there. And our theory seems to be confirmed by the Pentagon: they have recently replaced their strict ban against USB flash drives with a strict usage policy referring to both types of devices used and how they are employed.
The reasons to ban them were serious, as past incidents of misuse led to virus infections, as the Daily Tech reminds us, and the prohibition also covered almost anything you can connect through an USB port to their network, from such as cameras or portable hard drives or smart phones. Yet standing against some of the most common ways to transfer data couldn’t last for too long. The Pentagon is now ready to allow them back into their daily routine, but only if it’s their specific devices which come with their very own hardware and software malware removal kits.
The drives they are planning to allow are headed to Afganistan where they will be used in combat command centers and analysis centers. Let’s hope these ones won’t end up being sold in Afgani markets! Or end up in some library… Maybe they won’t, as these are the rules:
Only properly inventoried, government-procured and owned devices will be allowed for use in DoD’s information systems.”
“Personally-owned devices are prohibited on all DoD networks and computers.”
The new government-owned and approved drives cannot be used in personal or other non-government computers or networks without specific approval.
Thumb drives and other flash media are to be used “only as a last resort” for transferring information from computer to computer or from place to place. When other network resources are available, they should be used instead.
And if this isn’t enough, random staffers and devices will be audited periodically. Their policy sounds bullet proof, at least on paper 
