Silent footprints, loud threats
In today's operational landscape, the digital footprint of high-value personnel presents a growing security risk. Adversaries are increasingly capable of identifying and exploiting the digital signature of VIPs, tracking their movements, potentially intercepting communications, and flagging their presence in the field. To avoid detection, mission teams have resorted to rotating through large volumes of burner phones, but this approach doesn't address the core vulnerability: the exposure of device identifiers such as the IMSI.
Without the ability to dynamically obscure or change the identifiers, even disposable devices become traceable. At the same time, missions often rely on fragmented legacy networks such as 2G and 3G systems. These older networks are still present in parts of the world, regardless of inconsistent coverage and poor reliability. Roaming across international carriers compounds the problem, driving up costs and reducing control over network selections. These challenges are even more pronounced when deploying IoT assets that require persistent, secure connectivity to deliver on the mission.
Covering the horizon begins with secure and reliable connectivity
Operating across borders often means contending with poor network performance. Coverage is limited, speeds are slow, and infrastructure may be antiquated or untrusted. Purchasing burner phones in the country introduces serious security concerns, as devices could be compromised before they're ever powered on. The constant churn of swapping phones creates logistical waste and increases the chance of errors, such as reusing a device or failing to rotate quickly enough. A sustainable approach to mission communications needs to account for more than short-term concealment. It must ensure consistent, secure network access that protects personnel and devices at every point on the horizon.
Staying compliant without slowing down the mission
What happens if a burner device reused in a new mission has already been compromised during an earlier deployment? Without centralized oversight, there's no way to know if an IMSI has been flagged, targeted, or allowed to connect to a restricted network. That single point of failure can lead to unnecessary exposure and force operational changes in the middle of a mission.
Operation teams already juggle a complex set of moving parts and keeping mobile devices compliant shouldn't be another obstacle. Managing disposable burner devices at scale adds layers of administrative burden, including tracking usage, securing device configurations, and ensuring each unit aligns with program requirements. The growing use of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) polices further complicates things.
Personal phones come with varying levels of protection and without consistent oversight they can easily fall short of compliance or expose sensitive data. There's also the risk of devices unintentionally roaming onto a restricted or unapproved network, creating vulnerabilities that are hard to detect in real time. As operations scale and environments shift, teams need a smarter way to maintain control. Reducing complexity while enforcing compliance is key to keeping communications secure and the mission on track.
Protecting the mission starts with securing the signal
Security is the highest priority when executing critical missions, and communications are often the first target. Whether it’s a mobile phone or an IoT device, every endpoint must be locked down and monitored to prevent leaks, tracking, or unauthorized access. Teams need the ability to reach well beyond traditional cellular coverage and execute mass communications the moment conditions change. That means more than having service, it’s about having control. Agencies can monitor device usage, configure polices remotely, and manage multiple user profiles through a single SIM. This flexibility allows them to adapt in real time without sacrificing security. Access to a global mobile network backed by strict policy enforcement helps ensure every device is operating where it should, how it should, and only when it should.
More visibility creates less guesswork
At the command level, the ability to see what's happening across every connected device is critical. It's not just about securing communications. It's about knowing where devices are, what networks they're on, and whether they're operating within mission policy. Commanders and program admins need confidence that devices in the field are compliant, responsive, and under control. That level of oversight isn't possible with scattered burner phones or disconnected systems. It requires a unified view, and tools designed to support decision making at scale.
Syniverse brings the control, security, and flexibility you need to operate confidently anywhere your mission takes you. With a centralized platform to manage both eSIM and physical SIM deployments, operations can remotely activate, monitor, and retire devices without touching hardware. The portal gives full visibility into SIM usage and offers tools to enforce policy, restrict access, and stay compliant across all connected assets. Syniverse Global SIM provides access to more than 600 networks covering more than 190 countries. Our management platform provides policy control, flexible data pack, and real-time visibility, simplifying SIM management so teams can stay focused on the mission.
