BlackBerry’s mobile security offering has recieved federal certifification.
According to a press release, the company’s Secure Work Space for iOS and Android, a multi-platform containerization solution managed through BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 (BES10), is now Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 certified.
FIPS validation assures users that a given encryption technology has passed rigorous testing in order to be used to encrypt and secure sensitive information.
The news comes only days after the Wall Street Journal reported that the White House is considering a switch from BlackBerry devices to Android-based phones. The Whites House is rumored to be testing smartphones from LG and Samsung.
FIPS 140-2 is issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate the requirements and standards for certifying cryptographic modules. The standard was developed through the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP), which certifies products for use by U.S. government agencies and regulated industries that collect, store, transfer, share and disseminate sensitive information.
In addition to U.S. government recognition, the certification is accepted and supported by the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) for government use.