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February 2, 2026How Trellix Mobile Security Enables Compliance with DISA STIG Mandates for Mobile Security with Android 16 and iOS 26
In the Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) for Android 16 and iOS 26, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) introduced a mandatory requirement for Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) and Mobile Threat Prevention (MTP) solutions in January 2026. This shift effectively closes a long-standing security “loophole” and marks the transition toward a true Zero Trust architecture for mobile endpoints.
The Mandate: Why Active Defense is Now Mandatory
For years, agencies and contractors could meet the “compromised device” requirement by simply ensuring their Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform could detect if a device was rooted or jailbroken. This was often a simple checkbox in an MDM console. The newest Android 16 and iOS 26 STIGs explicitly close this loophole.
iOS 26 and Android 16 are the latest mobile operating systems released in September 2025 and June 2025, respectively. iOS 26 is compatible with iPhone 11 and newer models, as well as iPads released from 2019/2020 onwards (including iPad Pro 3rd gen+, iPad Air 3rd gen+, and iPad 8th gen+). Android 16 is available for Google Pixel 6 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S21/S22 and newer, and most other flagship Android devices released within the last three to four years.
The newest requirement states if an approved MTD app is not listed as a managed app being deployed via the MDM console, it is flagged as a formal “finding” during a compliance review. In the world of DISA STIGs, a “finding” is a security vulnerability that must be remediated to maintain an Authority to Operate (ATO). Specifically, for iOS 26, finding V-276214 mandates that devices must have an MTD app installed to mitigate real-time threats, malware, and vulnerability analysis.
MDM vs. MTD: Policy vs. Protection
The core of this change lies in the distinction between policy and protection.
- MDM (Policy): Focused on how a device is set up. It enforces passcodes, deploys apps, and manages configurations.
- MTD (Protection): Focused on how a device remains secure. It monitors the active threat state in real time, detecting phishing, man-in-the-middle attacks, and malicious application behavior that MDM cannot see.
In an era of AI-driven social engineering and sophisticated malware, configuration alone is a brittle defense. STIGs now recognize that you cannot “configure” your way out of a cyberattack; you must actively defend against it.
Achieving Compliance with Trellix Mobile Security
To meet these rigorous new standards, DoD components require a solution that provides more than just basic telemetry. Trellix Mobile Security offers an enterprise-grade defense-in-depth approach that aligns directly with the requirements of the Android 16 and iOS 26 STIGs.
Always-On, On-Device Detection
A critical requirement of the new STIGs is the ability to maintain protection even in disconnected or deployed scenarios. Trellix Mobile Security addresses this by sitting directly on the mobile device, providing continuous threat detection whether the user is on the organization’s network, a public access point, or completely offline. This ensures that protection is not dependent on a cloud, which is vital for DoD personnel. This is one reason Trellix Mobile Security is the trusted Mobile Threat Defense solution supporting multiple Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) programs today, where protection must persist in contested, denied, or disconnected environments.
Machine Learning and Zero-Day Protection
Trellix utilizes machine learning capabilities fed by billions of data points from millions of devices to identify current or imminent threats, including zero-day attacks that have never been seen before. This real-time analysis of device behavior allows the DoD to move from a reactive posture to a proactive defense system.
Unified Management via ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO)
Trellix Mobile Security solves for the “mobile blind spot” – where mobile devices are managed separately from the rest of the IT infrastructure – by integrating directly with the Trellix ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) software. This allows IT managers to manage mobile devices just like any other endpoint, providing unified visibility and a single console for all Trellix-managed assets, including servers, containers, and IoT.
Phishing and Application Intelligence
With “quishing” (QR code phishing) and AI-enhanced social engineering on the rise, protection must extend to the application and link level . Trellix protects users against phishing by detecting harmful links in text messages, social media apps, and emails. Furthermore, its comprehensive application intelligence mitigates security and privacy risks, ensuring that even “leaky” apps approved for COPE (Corporate Owned, Personally Enabled) use cases do not exfiltrate sensitive data.
Bringing Zero Trust to the Mobile Endpoint
The most transformative aspect of the new STIGs is how they operationalize Zero Trust for mobile. Zero Trust is built on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” and the integration of MTD provides the “verify” component that has been missing from many mobile deployments.
Under the new mandates, mobile security moves from a static state to a continuous, risk-based model. By integrating MTD risk signals into Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) platforms, organizations can create a closed-loop security system.
The Integrated Zero Trust Workflow:
- Continuous Sensing: The MTD agent lives on the device, providing real-time telemetry on device integrity, network security, and app behavior.
- Risk Scoring: If the MTD detects a threat—such as a user clicking a sophisticated phishing link or a device connecting to a rogue 5G tower—it immediately updates the device’s risk score.
- Automated Remediation: Unlike traditional solutions that rely on app sandboxing or traffic tunneling, the Trellix agent is installed directly on the device and contains localized machine learning modules that analyze device behavior and file reputation in real-time. The on-device agent ensures that the immediate threat is neutralized or contained at the point of origin
This integration ensures that “device trust” is not a one-time check during enrollment but a continuous authorization process. It protects sensitive Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) even in disconnected or deployed scenarios where the device cannot reach the cloud.
Strategic Recommendations for DoD Leadership
To navigate this transition and ensure your missions remain audit-ready and secure, the following immediate actions are recommended for DoD personnel:
1. Immediate Risk Management Framework (RMF) Gap Assessment
Every DoD mobility PMO and mission owner must immediately verify that their Android 16 and iOS 26 fleets are not “MDM-only.” Because the absence of a managed MTD application is now a formal finding, you must ensure that your current MDM/UEM console is actively deploying an approved MTD agent. Failure to do so represents an immediate compliance risk for any active ATO under the Risk Management Framework (RMF).
2. Modernize Continuous Monitoring with CMRS 2.0
The Department is currently deploying CMRS 2.0 as of early 2026 to provide near real-time risk assessment of assets. DoD components should prioritize the deployment of connector nodes that allow MTD and MDM telemetry to flow into the central CMRS core. This ensures that mobile threat data is no longer siloed but is visible to JFHQ-DODIN for coordinated defense.
3. Leverage the MITRE SAF for ATO Acceleration
To meet the “speed of relevance,” DoD developers and security teams should adopt the MITRE Security Automation Framework (SAF). SAF translates complex DISA STIG guidance into actionable, automated steps within the DevSecOps pipeline. By automating STIG configurations and policy checks, you can accelerate the path to an ATO and ensure that your security controls are “built-in” rather than bolted on after deployment.
Conclusion: Security as a Mission Enabler
The most recent DISA STIG mandates represent moving beyond the era of static checklists toward a model of active, automated, and continuous verification. By mandating MTD, the DoD is building a mobile infrastructure that can withstand the AI-powered threats of the future while allowing warfighters to maintain their digital advantage in the field.
The effectiveness of this security model relies on the integration of real-time telemetry into a unified, continuous defensive system. Shifting to an on-device, single-agent architecture allows the Department of Defense to match the velocity of these adversaries, ensuring that protection persists even in disconnected or contested environments. Embracing these dynamic standards provides a baseline that not only meets current mandates but builds a resilient foundation for future mobile mission sets.
Would you like to see how Trellix Mobile Security works and understand more about meeting STIG requirements?
Reach out to our team today to schedule a meeting.
