BlackBerry Unveils Mobile Security Platform As Software Re-Birth Continues

BlackBerry has unveiled a mobile-native, cloud-enabled security platform for what it calls the ‘Enterprise of Things,’ designed to protect enterprises from endpoint to endpoint.

Completing the integration of technologies from the company’s recent acquisitions, such as Good Technology, WatchDox, AtHoc and Encription, the platform is BlackBerry’s answer to the growing threat of cyber attacks affecting businesses in all industries.

So, what exactly is the Enterprise of Things? BlackBerry defines it as the network of intelligent devices, computers, sensors, trackers and equipment within the enterprise that communicate with each other and move products from “sketch to scale,” enabling smart product development, distribution, marketing and sales.

Securing the enterprise

“Businesses must be able to confidentially and reliably transmit sensitive data between endpoints to keep people, information and goods safe,” said John Chen, executive chairman and chief executive officer at BlackBerry, noting why the firm has created the platform dubbed BlackBerry Secure.

It aims to help businesses manage their mobile and connected devices and provide secure communications for all messaging and file types. Secure also helps prevent hackers from accessing devices and computers, ensures patient confidentiality in healthcare and safeguards assets in financial services.

Chen added, “Our customers’ investments are protected because this foundational platform is not only compatible with our current products and third-party software like Microsoft Office 365, but is also ‘future-proofed’ to address upcoming capabilities such as messaging and analytics. It allows customers to build their own apps, workflows and business processes, and will be compatible with future applications and cloud-based systems because we have plans to expand the platform’s features, market segments it supports, and our entire partner ecosystem.”

Along with the platform, BlackBerry will also be launching a range of business applications designed for the mobile-first work environment. Available in January and compatible with smartphones, tablets and PCs, these will include tools for collaboration, secure document sharing and remote access to web apps and intranet resources.

The launch of this platform further cements BlackBerry’s transition away from hardware towards becoming primarily a security services and software company, a move which it very much sees as its future.

The Canada-based company has already committed to pulling the plug on its smartphone business and its recent award of the Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+) certification from the UK government is further evidence of a BlackBerry re-birth.

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