BlackBerry gets “Full Operational Capability” on US defence networks, Secure Work Space for iOS and Android cryptography certification

BlackBerry has secured a major cryptography certification for Secure Work Space for iOS and Android, while BlackBerry 10 has become the first mobile device management provider to be granted Full Operational Capability (FOC) on US defence networks.

BlackBerry has announced that its Secure Work Space for iOS and Android and BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 containerisation platform is now Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 certified.

A containerisation platform keeps sensitive work-related information on a device separate from a user’s personal apps and data.

BlackBerry’s BES10 protocols allow administrators to can configure, secure, wipe and interact with the Secure Work Space on an end users’ device.

Meanwhile, certification was National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) through the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) as a way of certifying products that collect, store, transfer, share and disseminate sensitive information.

The standard is also supported by Canada’s Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) for government use.

It is granted to encryption technologies that pass rigorous testing, before a technology is allowed to be used by key US and Canadian government agencies.

In addition to the FIPS certification, the Canadian mobility solutions company also announced it has received FOC status for its BlackBerry 10

In a statement, BlackBerry says the granting of FOC completes the company’s security certification process with the US Department of Defense (DoD).

“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.

“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 Balance technology, which allows users to instantly toggle between work and personal profiles.”