Veterans Affairs to allow iPhones, iPads, Android

The Department of Veterans Affairs is preparing to bolster its enterprise mobility environment to include iPhones, iPads and Android devices, in addition to BlackBerry devices, reports Brian T. Horowitz at eWeek.

The expanded array of wireless options is slated to give clinicians in the VA's medical facilities more ways to access electronic health records and email. VA CIO Roger Baker told reporters at the end of June that the newer mobile devices will be authorized for employee use by Oct. 1. An audio recording of the call is available at FierceGovernmentIT.

The department has not yet determined whether it will supply devices to employees or allow them to use their own personal devices. In any case, it plans to conduct security screenings on devices before authorizing their use.