BlackBerry gets key designation from US Defense Dept

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.

The designation completes BlackBerry’s security certification process with the U.S. Defense Department, the company said.

“As the first mobile solutions provider to achieve FOC, BlackBerry continues to prove why we are the most trusted enterprise mobility platform,” said John Sims, president of BlackBerry’s Global Enterprise Services.

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.

BlackBerry has relied on its strong reputation for security to help roll out a series of new options linked to BlackBerry 10.

The company also announced this week that it’s about to launch an update to its popular BBM chat service that it hopes will generate extra revenue.

Part of the plan includes a more secure level of BBM for smartphones on corporate accounts that companies would pay extra to use.

BlackBerry is also working on launching a new BBM Shop that deals in virtual goods and would work alongside companies to generate revenue through sponsorship deals.