Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701
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Apple and Android security software
Canadian mobile firm Research in Motion (RIM) has offered its expertise to users of rival provider handsets and released security software for Apple and Android devices.
The firm said that it used its years of experience to build the software and threw it at the feet of some who have a tablet or a smartphone that is not one of its own. The release is called Blackberry Mobile Fusion and could appeal to users that like Android or Apple handsets, as well as RIM's device management capabilities.
If that is not tempting you, then try on these soothing words from a RIM marketing person. "We are pleased to introduce BlackBerry Mobile Fusion - RIM's next generation enterprise mobility solution - to make it easier for our business and government customers to manage the diversity of devices in their operations today," said Alan Panezic, VP of enterprise product management and marketing at Research In Motion.
"BlackBerry Mobile Fusion provides the necessary management capabilities to allow IT departments to confidently oversee the use of both company-owned and employee-owned mobile devices within their organisations."
RIM is reacting to a not very recent change in working practices that sees people using their own handsets in the office, rather than enterprise sanctioned ones. It said that the enterprise market for devices continues to grow, but has acknowledged, perhaps, that it is not all heading in the direction of Canada and RIM.
So where staff are using Android tablets or the Ipad is where RIM thinks it should be. Blackberry Mobile Fusion offers centralised management, with Blackberry Enterprise Server, management gewgaws for the Blackberry Playbook, and security and management tools for smartphones and tablets running the Android and IOS operating systems.
Security features include the ability to remotely wipe or lock down hardware, and other tools will let firms manage software and applications over-the-air, and generally keep an eye on them. RIM is testing the software and system with some unnamed select business partners, and reckons it will release the whole thing next March.
Source: The Inquirer (http://s.tt/14lHD)
30th November 2011