Defense

DISA launches milDrive unclassified cloud storage

DISA began offering the service across the Department of Defense on March 1 with "security, flexibility, and reliability in mind."

By Billy Mitchell

March 29, 2019

U.S. Air Force Capt. Liaquat Ali, deputy director of AF Connect, speaks to Airmen about the Air Force Connect mobile app during the service's Public Affairs Agency Digital Publishing Workshop, Aug. 8, 2018, at the Air National Guard training and education center in East Tennessee. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith)

The Defense Information Systems Agency has rolled out a cloud storage service that allows warfighters to upload, access and share unclassified information from anywhere, anytime.

Called milDrive, DISA began offering the service across the Department of Defense on March 1 with “security, flexibility, and reliability in mind,” Carissa Landymore, cloud storage program manager, said in a release.

“milDrive allows users to store all their files in the cloud. It really ensures warfighters have continuous, reliable access to files without regard to device or location,” Landymore said.

Users with Common Access Cards can use the service to access Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet) files and share them with access controls. The service is compatible with iOS and Android devices, and can be accessed via a web browser or a desktop app on computers.

Landymore touted milDrive’s “reliability and availability” through DISA’s storage of user data in its two data center, replicating it between the two to ensure availability.

For now, there are two levels or storage — 20 gigabyte or 1 terabyte drives that can be used or shared.

“DISA is continuing to keep pace with industry as far as enabling users to maintain, utilize, and access data through a cloud environment,” Landymore said. “We’re making the end user more productive by giving them more ways to access their files.”