The military is taking a huge step forward in using open-source software. It will allow the development of classified open-source software on SIPRNet, its version of the civilian Internet. It may also be the first step for other intelligence agencies to explore the use of open-source software, too.

The green light came when the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) gave Forge.mil permission to run SIPRNet on a temporary basis; Forge.mil is the military's collaborative open-source software development platform.

"This was a remaining crucial capability to offer our DoD development community," Forge.mil Project Director Rob Vietmeyer said in a statement. "With 2,200 users, 500 contributors with engaged development and 93 projects on Forge.mil, we'll now be able to offer even more with this interim authority to operate for classified use up to secret."

For more on DoD's open-source decision:
- check out this govinfosecurity.com article