Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 8420.01 NUMBER 8420.01
November 3, 2009 November 3, 2009
ASD(NII)/DoD CIO ASD(NII)/DoD CIO
SUBJECT: Commercial Wireless Local-Area Network (WLAN) Devices, Systems, and
Technologies
SUBJECT: Commercial Wireless Local-Area Network (WLAN) Devices, Systems, and
Technologies
References: See Enclosure 1 References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE1. PURPOSE
. This Instruction:
a. In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive (DoDD) 5144.1 (Reference (a)) and the
guidance in DoD Instruction 5025.01 (Reference (b)), establishes policy, assigns responsibilities,
and provides procedures for the use of commercial WLAN devices, systems, and technologies to
achieve and increase joint interoperability, appropriately protect DoD information, and enhance
overall security to sufficiently protect DoD information by embracing open standards for WLAN
devices, systems, and technologies.
b. Incorporates and cancels Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information
Integration/DoD Chief Information Officer (ASD(NII)/DoD CIO) Memorandum (Reference (c)).
c. Specifies the minimum set of security measures required on WLAN-enabled portable
electronic devices (PEDs) that transmit, receive, process, or store unclassified and classified
information.
d. Provides guidance on establishing a wireless network intrusion detection capability for
monitoring local area networks (LANs).
2. APPLICABILITY
a. This Instruction applies to:
(1) OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the
Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other
organizational entities within the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as the
“DoD Components”).
