We missed this posting earlier via BlackBerry’s Business blog that they have officially earned government approval for their iOS and Android Secure Work Space clients. On top of their other 50+ government certifications, they have now received the Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) approval from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).
The Significance of STIG
STIGs are configuration guides that users and administrators use to securely operate products within the Department of Defense’s networks. The guidelines are developed by product vendors in conjunction with DISA to satisfy a set of security stringent requirements, and verified by DISA through conformance testing.
The STIG certification approval for Secure Work Space demonstrates how we provide government customers with an expanded portfolio of mobility options protected by BlackBerry’s unmatched security. With this approval, executives and decision makers in both the public and private sectors can rest assured that sensitive data on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets remains protected and secure, even when transmitted through vulnerable channels. While BlackBerry’s end-to-end experience will always be the paradigm for users with the strictest security requirements. However, Secure Work Space is a viable alternative for government customers that want to provide an expanded selection of devices.
I will let Jeffrey Ait’s post speak for itself.
“Organizations in the private and public sector should proactively secure sensitive data by ensuring that mobility solutions offer the highest level of security,” said Stacy Crook, mobility analyst at IDC. “The STIG certification serves as an indication that BlackBerry Secure Work Space for iOS and Android is well positioned to meet the strict security requirements that many enterprise and government agencies require.”
“BlackBerry is the only Enterprise Mobility Management provider that can secure a multi-platform environment based on varying levels of risk and compliance, from meeting the strictest requirements with BlackBerry 10 to providing the most flexibility with support for third-party devices,” said John Sims, President of Global Enterprise Services, BlackBerry. “The STIG approval for Secure Work Space for iOS and Android is another validation that enterprises and government agencies can rely on BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 for secure mobility, no matter which devices they have in the field.”
So here is something for you to ponder, although this is a huge deal for BlackBerry which I am excited to hear, it does leave one question to ask. ‘What will this do for their handheld hardware business?’ I believe they have some work to do to re-market their handhelds. Let us know what you think.
