Data security earns BlackBerry a boost from the Pentagon

The Globe and Mail ^ | March 27, 2014 | The Canadian Press

[deks]

BlackBerry has earned a “full operational capability” designation from the U.S. Defense Department for its BlackBerry 10 smartphones and enterprise service, the smartphone company said Thursday.

BlackBerry said the security certification will allow U.S. government employees to securely access email, data, apps and other department network resources using the company’s latest smartphones.

On Wednesday, BlackBerry received certification for U.S. government employees to use its secure work space enterprise software on iPhones and devices that use the Android operating system.

The technology is among products that became available through the rollout of the company’s BlackBerry 10 operating system. The software helps government and business employees use mobile devices of their choice with lower security risks.

The certification will give security-conscious organizations, like U.S. and Canadian government agencies, the ability to use software which separates sensitive corporate data from personal content on a single mobile device.

[deks]

BlackBerry First to Receive Coveted "Full Operational Capability" on U.S. Department of Defense Networks

. . .BlackBerry 10 has become the first mobility solution to receive Full Operational Capability (FOC) to run on U.S. Department of Defense networks from the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).

The designation follows the company's Authority to Operate (ATO) certification and enables government users with a BlackBerry 10 smartphone connected with BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 (BES10) to securely access email, data, apps and other DoD network resources.

BlackBerry was the first Mobile Device Management (MDM) provider to earn ATO and becomes the only vendor with FOC. The granting of FOC completes BlackBerry's security certification process with the DoD.

FOC allows government employees to realize the full security, productivity, communication and collaboration benefits of the BlackBerry 10 solution. One of the key features now available to DoD customers with a BlackBerry 10 smartphone is BlackBerry(R) Balance(TM) technology, which allows users to instantly toggle between work and personal profiles.

BlackBerry Balance separates and secures work data from personal content, allowing the user to gain secure access to DoD network resources, along with the full benefits of a consumer experience. BlackBerry 10 smartphones are the only DoD-approved smartphones with this capability.

Press release. . .

[Hazwaste]

As a guy who carries an Android for personal use but was issued a Z10 at work, I have to admit that the current generation of BlackBerry is pretty great for work. Too bad BB barely advertises, because I think most people think BB is already dead.