On the heels of our recent announcement of FIPS 140-2 certification for the upcoming BlackBerry 10 platform, our current in-market favorite BlackBerry 7.1 OS has received CESG approval for government use in the United Kingdom. This is a significant step forward for enabling government mobility in the region by allowing access to data classified up to and including “Restricted”.

The BlackBerry Enterprise Solution from RIM remains the only holistic mobile solution approved by CESG. Governments around the world have long been our partners, utilizing secure BlackBerry solutions to access sensitive data and to enable public service workers. Law enforcement, government agencies, and medical industries are just a few areas in which this takes place. In the UK specifically, the NHS, local government bodies, and the Ministry of Defense all employ BlackBerry solutions to efficient, secure, and productive ends.

A great example can be found with UK police forces. By extending core processes and systems as well as access to information databases, officers are able to spend more time in the communities in which they work rather than being tied up with paperwork back at the office. The use of mobile social media in similar settings also enables government industries to use BlackBerry technology to connect more closely with their citizens.

Learn more about BlackBerry security today, and our stance on security when it comes to the upcoming BlackBerry 10 mobile computing platform. Does your work rely on secure BlackBerry solutions? Share in the comments below.

I have the pleasure of occasionally heading out to cover events and meet with our amazing partners and customers. During these trips, I like to test out the variety of apps available on the BlackBerry App World™ storefront that help with all aspects of this process. With the BlackBerry Travel app, BlackBerry Traffic, and the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update to BlackBerry Maps you get three essential apps for surviving out there in the harsh wilderness of business travel. Let’s take a look at the updates and how they can help you too.

BlackBerry Travel

A long-time favorite of the BlackBerry community (and us employees too), the BlackBerry Travel app is designed to allow you to plan, book, manage, and share your trips. The BlackBerry Travel app includes features to help keep your travel plans in sync. Automatic trip scanning can scan your Messages application automatically, and exports all supported travel email messages to the BlackBerry Travel app.

For example, let’s say that the airport you’re departing from gets overtaken by wild bears and your flight gets delayed. Don’t fret – BlackBerry Travel will notify you of delays or cancellations for your flights as they occur, and help you find alternate routes and book a new flight. You’ll also be able to make a limo reservation ahead of time to take you to your final destination right from the app. Keep in mind you’ll need a data plan that includes browsing for this app – then head over to BlackBerry App World to grab it!

BlackBerry Traffic

You know that point when you’re caught in traffic on a foreign highway and you’re deeply regretting renting a car? This is where BlackBerry Traffic saves the day. Beyond calculating your estimated time of arrival based on current traffic conditions – and suggesting alternate routes to avoid traffic tie ups – the app now provides turn-by-turn voice navigation through your smartphone’s speaker, or a Bluetooth®-enabled hands-free device or car system. Not only are you less likely to get lost with this app, but now you’ll also have friendly guidance to get you where you need to go all while keeping your hands on the steering wheel. The voice navigation also helps ensure a safer journey, allowing you to focus entirely on the road. By the way, BlackBerry Traffic works just as well on your daily commute back at home.

BlackBerry Maps

You’ll be more confident in your travels with BlackBerry Maps at your side. Displaying your route, distance and estimated travel time are only a few of the features of this app. My personal favorites are the ability to share maps through email or BBM™, bookmarking favorite or common destinations, and contextual search (e.g. “Pizza”).

With the updates in BlackBerry 7.1 OS, you’ll now be able to discover special offers, deals, and coupons from nearby vendors. This is particularly good for managing that expense account smartly during a business trip.

Updates to BlackBerry Travel app and BlackBerry Traffic, as well as the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update of BlackBerry Maps, are designed to make life easier for business users while on the go. Others features of the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update that can help business users include Mobile Hotspot, Universal Search, BlackBerry® Tag, Wi-Fi® Calling (where available), FM Radio, and BBM™ 6.1. Check out the blog post on the Inside BlackBerry Blog for more details or head over to the BlackBerry 7.1 OS web site.

Of the three apps highlighted (BlackBerry Travel, BlackBerry Traffic, BlackBerry Maps), which do you use most often? Share in the comments.

All devices that utilize BlackBerry® 7 OS and BlackBerry® 7.1 OS are currently FIPS validated including the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900, 9930 and 9790, BlackBerry® Torch™ 9860 and 9810, and BlackBerry® Curve™ 9360 and 9380 smartphones. FIPS 140-2 provides a standard that will be used by Federal agencies of the US and Canadian governments when these organizations specify that cryptographic-based security systems are to be used to provide protection for sensitive information. Modules validated as conforming to FIPS 140-2 are typically accepted by Federal agencies of both countries for the protection of sensitive information.

Research In Motion has a track record of meeting (and surpassing) government guidelines for secure mobile solutions. Our government customers know just how important a FIPS 140-2 certification is in their ability to deploy security-conscious mobile solutions, and RIM has been at the forefront. Awarded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) as part of the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP), the FIPS 140-2 certificate gives security-conscious customers more confidence in knowing that their data and sensitive information is encrypted and protected in a manner consistent with this standard. By regulation and policy, products that are not FIPS-certified often cannot be purchased for use by the U.S. and Canadian governments.

Check out the press release, learn more about BlackBerry security, and find out more about the latest features of BlackBerry 7 OS and BlackBerry 7.1 OS smartphones to stay informed!

Is security a concern for your organization? What measures have been taken to protect corporate and sensitive data? Share in the comments.

© 2012 Research In Motion Limited. All rights reserved. BlackBerry®, RIM®, Research In Motion® and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of Research In Motion Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and countries around the world. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. FIPS certification does not imply product endorsement by NIST, the U.S. or Canadian Governments.