[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

To learn more about Gwava, head over to www.gwava.com. How does your business use tech solutions to meet regulatory compliance and maintain disaster recovery and prevention? Share in the comments below.

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

To learn more about what makes BlackBerry security unique and how we’ve built on our legacy of protecting mobile data with BlackBerry 10, head over to www.blackberry.com/security. What place does security have in your organization’s mobile strategy? Share in the comments below.

In the weeks since the global launch of BlackBerry 10, we’ve had the opportunity to interact with businesses around the world at the BlackBerry Experience Forum events, and to discuss the how the BlackBerry 10 platform has been built for business. We’re excited about partnering with businesses that are truly looking to mobilize their organization.

One such innovative organization is Air Canada. As an airline company with a highly mobile workforce, including pilots and flight attendants constantly on the move, Air Canada wants to offer mobile solutions that are robust and engage users. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Allen Chang, Air Canada’s Manager of IT Innovations, about the organization’s strategy for mobile security, in house applications, and the benefits of BlackBerry 10 features such as BlackBerry Balance:

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

We look forward to continuing our partnership with Air Canada and working together to develop new solutions for workplace mobility.

Does your business have a mobile workforce? How does this affect your mobile strategy? Share in the comments below.

We’ve briefly mentioned a few of our future plans for BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 in the past, but today we’d like to share a preview of how secure enterprise mobility management is growing and evolving to meet the needs of businesses worldwide with Secure Work Space for iOS and Android devices. BlackBerry has and continues to be the only choice for enterprises with security, functionality, and collaborative mobile strategies in mind. As needs evolve and IT departments face an ever-growing variety of devices being brought into the workplace, we’re building our solutions to match your needs and priorities.

BlackBerry security capabilities for data-at-rest and data-in-transit will soon be extended to iOS and Android devices; both for smartphones and tablets. A separate and secure work space will hold corporate apps, work email, calendar, contacts, and more. Administrators can configure, secure, wipe, and interact with the Secure Work Space, while employees can enjoy a work and personal experience on a single device. Check out just a few of the benefits:

• Trusted BlackBerry security extended to iOS and Android
• No need for an expensive VPN infrastructure to secure data in transit
• Third party MDM providers and multiple vendors aren’t required – we’ve designed Secure Work Space to be managed by BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 from a single console
• Deployment is straightforward, with all components on a single server
• Global and flexible technical support is available for all aspects of the solution, even further reducing the need for multiple IT and mobility vendors

Secure Work Space for iOS and Android devices allows businesses to meet the needs (and pressures) of employees with the trusted legacy of BlackBerry security applied. Additionally, considerable effort and expense is saved as no expensive and complex VPN infrastructure is required. You’re provided with one vendor who has designed the Secure Work Space solution, the industry-leading security standards, the enterprise mobility management solution, and who provides global technical support at flexible tiers.

Closed beta testing for Secure Work Space on iOS and Android devices is already underway. General availability will be offered by the end of the second quarter, calendar year 2013. We’re excited to share many more details at our BlackBerry Live conference in May 2013.

With the increased prevalence of smartphones and tablets becoming a common part of how we share information with our family, friends and co-workers, there is a growing potential for increased risks related to data security and privacy. This isn’t the first time we’ve watched the computing threat landscape evolve. Over the last decade, as more users leveraged the power of personal computers, attackers began focusing on ways to steal users’ data and take control of their computers. Their methods included using vulnerabilities in the software and creating malicious software, known as malware, which is designed to trick a user into installing these programs in order for the attacker to gain control of a user’s system. Now, as we move toward a mobile computing society, we’re seeing that same trend happening across the mobile industry.

One of the significant security concerns facing the mobile industry is how to address the skyrocketing amount of malware on mobile devices. This concern is especially challenging because instead of attackers trying to trick computer users to install malware, attackers have shifted their focus and tactics by offering what appear to be safe apps. They are placing their malicious apps within smartphone app stores and bypassing protections that these app store vendors may have in place to help prevent malware. While most smartphone users have heard of malware, and know about its potential to harm their devices, they don’t expect that any app downloaded from their smartphone’s app store is malicious. As a result, smartphone users may not be as careful or discerning when deciding which third-party apps to download, and these choices can lead to users being vulnerable to potential security and privacy implications associated with these apps.

Every smartphone and tablet vendor uses a different strategy for protecting customers from both malware and privacy concerns, and customers do not typically have insight into how they may or may not be protected from these issues. At BlackBerry, we’re committed to protecting customers and their data, and also to providing greater transparency into the unique level of protection we offer customers.

We recognize that customers want and need access to apps that do not infringe on their privacy or impact their security. With such a significant challenge facing the mobile industry, we determined adding additional layers of protection are crucial to helping protect BlackBerry customers. As part of our comprehensive approach, we are incorporating Trend Micro’s industry-leading anti-malware technology with our current internal, proprietary system for analyzing apps. Through this collaboration, we will use Trend Micro’s suite of app scanning technology to help enhance BlackBerry’s anti-malware capabilities, including industry-leading app analyzing techniques and built-in permission settings on BlackBerry devices. By vetting apps against Trend Micro’s extensive library of known malicious software, we will help ensure both current and new apps submitted to the BlackBerry World storefront are scanned for potential malicious behavior.

When an app is flagged as suspicious during our continuous vetting process, BlackBerry investigates it thoroughly to determine if the app is malicious. If it is not malicious, we examine it for privacy implications by determining if it clearly and adequately informs customers about its behaviors. If and when an application is found that either contains malicious code or may infringe on customers’ privacy, we inform the developer about the issue, remove the app from BlackBerry World and release a corresponding malware or privacy notice to customers. These notices help provide greater transparency to our customers about what actions we are taking to help safeguard their privacy and protect their data as well as offer guidance to customers on what actions they should consider regarding those specific apps.

While there are several approaches to protecting mobile customers from emerging security and privacy concerns, as an industry overall, we need to do a better job of ensuring that customers have the opportunity to make informed decisions about exactly what they are downloading and purchasing on their mobile devices. It is important to remember that attackers are not just focusing on one type of smartphone, and they are continuously refining their methods and abilities with each attempt as well as sharing techniques.

Given that both malware and privacy concerns span across the breadth of the mobile industry, it’s not practical to believe that any one company can thoroughly address these issues on their own. By working with an industry leader, such as Trend Micro, we’re establishing a unique level of protection for BlackBerry customers, and we believe the rest of the industry should also consider working collaboratively in order to address the significant increase in mobile malware and privacy implications associated with third-party apps.

1) Your BlackBerry 10 Smartphone Password

Okay, so passwords aren’t the sexiest feature, but you know what — they’re probably the most important piece of security you can implement! Passwords keep strangers out of your BlackBerry device and out of your personal info. Best of all, with BlackBerry 10, the passwords don’t need to be long or even hard to type.

When unlocking a BlackBerry 10 smartphone, you have 10 tries to enter the password, which means that your passwords don’t need to be long or complex. Suppose I told you that my BlackBerry 10 password was 4 random lower-case letters – a very simple password. How many tries, on average, do you think it would take to guess it? 100? 1000? Try over 200,000! Complex passwords are always more secure, but the key is to make your password hard to guess.

See that icon on the right side of the password box that looks like an eye? You can tap that anytime to see what you’re typing. This is great for making sure that you’re typing in the right password. To hide your password, simply tap the icon again.

Your BlackBerry 10 smartphone password is also required for you to modify many of the security settings. So if someone gets ahold of your phone and tries to remove your password, they won’t have any luck. The same applies for changing the timeout on your password, toggling the “Lock Device when Holstered” setting, and more.

To create a password, navigate to Settings > Security and Privacy > Device Password.

2) Your BlackBerry ID

One of the most stressful parts of moving to a new smartphone is backing up your data. BlackBerry ID makes switching devices a breeze. If you lose or change your BlackBerry smartphone or tablet, your BlackBerry ID will remember your information and apps to make the switch easy.

Even better, BlackBerry ID is your single sign-in to BlackBerry sites, services and applications. Apps like BlackBerry World, BlackBerry Protect, and of course BBM all use BlackBerry ID. With a single password, you can protect the BlackBerry services that matter most to you.

When you start your new BlackBerry 10 smartphone, you will be asked to create or sign in with your BlackBerry ID. You can also manage your BlackBerry ID anytime by navigating to Settings > BlackBerry ID.

3) Application Permissions

Apps. We all love them, and we’re really excited about the wealth of apps available for BlackBerry 10! But we also value our privacy. Enter the concept of “Application Permissions”.

Application Permissions let you see, control, and customize what each application can access in a simple and intuitive way. Suppose you’ve downloaded a great new mapping app, and it asks for access to your Location. Of course you’re going to allow it – you’re expecting it and it makes sense.

Now suppose you download a simple game and it asks for your Location. Unless you know why, you might choose to deny access or uninstall it. Application Permissions allow you to manage and protect your privacy.

vWhile apps request the permissions they need when you install and run them, you can also modify the permissions later on by navigating to Settings > Security and Privacy > Application Permissions.

4) BlackBerry Protect

BlackBerry Protect is one of the most popular BlackBerry apps of all time, and for good reason. When the device is on, it can help you remotely locate your BlackBerry smartphone, set a password, and even wipe it from anywhere with an Internet connection. We’ve integrated BlackBerry Protect into every BlackBerry 10 smartphone, so you don’t even need to download the app anymore. Simply go to Settings > BlackBerry Protect to set it up.

But what if someone steals your BlackBerry and tries to disable BlackBerry Protect? Well in order to disable it, you need to enter your BlackBerry ID password. To quote my favorite YouTube show: “That’s smart!”

5) BlackBerry Balance

If you’re like most people, you use your smartphone for both work and play. You want to keep your work life separate from your personal life but still access all of your favorite personal apps and features, as well as your work connectivity, email, and corporate apps. But you just can’t do that on a single phone. Until now.

When your BlackBerry 10 smartphone is managed and secured by BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10, BlackBerry Balance divides the data into two spaces: Personal and Work. Personal apps (e.g. games) access personal data and connect directly to the Internet. Work apps (e.g. expense reporting) access work data and connect through the corporate network behind your organization’s firewall.

On BlackBerry 10, you’ll be able to install apps, use social networks, manage photos, create videos, and take advantage of all that the smartphone has to offer. Your IT department will be able to manage the Work space and secure their corporate data.

Best of all, BlackBerry Balance starts up by default when you connect your BlackBerry 10 smartphone to the BlackBerry Device Service in BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10. Simply create a Work password and start using BlackBerry Balance.

These are just a few of the great security features in BlackBerry 10, especially if you’re connected on BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10. Which ones are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

In the early days, smartphones were for work, and were often provided by businesses to their key employees who needed to be connected to corporate information at all times. As the industry evolved, these devices came to be media powerhouses, full of rich applications and a wide potential of use cases. Your smartphone is now your music player, your digital camera, and your hub of communication with friends and family. A challenge arose in businesses worldwide – work data needed to be kept safe and secure, but no one enjoys a locked-down experience. Many employees started to bring their own personal phone from home, but had to continue using their work-issued device, and ended up using each for separate purposes. But where’s the fun in carrying two phones? Some businesses then saw an opportunity to cut costs by allowing employees to connect personal devices to their corporate infrastructure. Thus, the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend was born.

The Bring Your Own Device trend emerges

But with BYOD, a new, evolved challenge emerged for IT departments – the security of work data mixed with personal use can create a multitude of problems for both employees and businesses. Corporate data can be easily compromised due to malware attacks, permissions granted to apps, and the like. On the other side, when an organization performs a remote security wipe, employees can be left without music, personal photos, personal email accounts, and more.

“BlackBerry Balance is our cutting edge solution to the problems
that arise from the BYOD trend; challenges which have developed
over years of smartphone industry growth.”

BlackBerry Balance is our cutting edge solution to the problems that arise from the BYOD trend; challenges which have developed over years of smartphone industry growth. With BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry Balance technology, Work and Personal perimeters are created on the smartphone to separate and secure the corresponding apps, connections, and data. The benefits of such technology are significant and relevant.

Security for Administrators, Freedom for Employees

Businesses are now enabled in their mobile strategies; they can connect employees to their infrastructure and promote the use of business applications and behind-the-firewall connectivity. Employees can be more productive, devices can be ultra-functional, and organizations can truly move their work mobile. The work perimeter can be controlled and managed at a granular level with all of the robust functionality that the BlackBerry enterprise mobility management solution provides. The data in each perimeter is protected. It reduces risk significantly, and creates a situation where BYOD can be embraced for all of its benefits.

Employees can be free from work-related restrictions on their mobile devices. Download apps, use the camera, message friends and family, and browse wherever you please. What you do on the personal perimeter of the smartphone is up to you, and your work doesn’t need to control, restrict, or manage this side of the device. It can be truly yours to own, use, and customize. When your organization manages or in the event they need to wipe the corporate perimeter, your information is left intact just as it was before.

How is BlackBerry Balance Enabled?

The recently launched BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 allows IT administrators to configure BlackBerry Balance settings on employees’ BlackBerry 10 smartphones. As an end user, you’ll have the opportunity to set up your work email account, and in the process set up the work perimeter, which is locked by a BlackBerry Balance password that you create.

Toggling between Work and Personal is as simple as swiping down anywhere on the application screen. In the Work perimeter a behind-the-firewall connection is created, allowing you to access work apps through BlackBerry World for Work, an app store created by your administrator, as well as work versions of many applications. If you’re currently running a few apps when you switch perimeters, they’ll remain as Active Frames, allowing for rapid multitasking between work and personal apps.

BlackBerry Hub and the Calendar app are two examples of apps that straddle this barrier between Work and Personal perimeters. Both personal and work email can appear in the Hub. The same applies to the calendar. If BlackBerry Balance is locked, only personal items will appear, alongside work items, which are listed as “locked item”. A simple tap on any locked item will prompt you to enter your password.

The BlackBerry Balance Experience on BlackBerry 10 smartphones

Check out a quick video demonstration of how you can interact with BlackBerry Balance functionality on your BlackBerry Z10 smartphone:

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

Summing Up…

BlackBerry Balance provides a better experience for end users, and helps to mitigate risk and provide a higher return on investment for businesses. We’ve designed the tools required to tackle current trends in workplace mobility, and are constantly working on helping you tackle future trends that are just around the corner.

Are you an administrator or an end user? How will BlackBerry Balance help you have a better experience?

Today I have the distinct privilege of sharing some of the excitement around the BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 launch earlier this week. We here at BlackBerry are committed to keeping your business moving and are acutely aware that the greatest benefit we can generate for our enterprise customers is to strike that perfect balance between end-user and corporate needs. In order to ensure this balance, we are heavily focused on the key pillars of Mobile Device Management: Security, Unified Communications, and Business Applications. As we progress through 2013, you will hear more details around many of these pillars but today I want to talk about BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 and 10 things that you should know:

1. It Helps Keep Corporate Data Secure

First and foremost, BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 builds upon our long-held Security pedigree as the Gold Standard in Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) – so much so that we made sure to go out and get FIPS 140-2 certification prior to the official launch of the product. You can rest assured that the trusted BlackBerry infrastructure is in place along with proven end-to-end 256-bit encryption and a secure behind-the-firewall path for all applications, the browser, email, and PIM. In addition, you can configure corporate Wi-Fi and VPN connectivity. But we didn’t stop there: Seamless Sign-on and enterprise authentication from the work perimeter as well as enterprise notifications from behind-the-firewall make accessing corporate content and applications a rich and seamless user experience.

2. BlackBerry Balance Provides a Win-Win Scenario

We all know that there’s a tug of war in the workplace where businesses want to give employees the device they desire without sacrificing manageability, security, or cost. So, in order to have the best of both worlds, we have integrated BlackBerry Balance into the BlackBerry 10 platform. Once a device is activated within BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10, all corporate data is segregated in its own encrypted “work” space. Administrators maintain granular control over a secure work perimeter while personal applications, data privacy, and the end user’s personal experience are fully preserved no matter whether the user is bringing their own device to work or it’s a corporate provided device.

3. It Manages Applications Like a Boss

Applications are increasingly becoming a key component of an Enterprise Mobility Management solution. With BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10, we have created an enterprise-grade application management framework. IT Administrators can deploy, manage, and secure mandatory and recommended applications to employees. They have the ability to assign applications to specific users or groups of users. They can remove work applications if a user deactivates their device. Moreover, there is a great connection between BlackBerry Balance and application management. Businesses can easily manage and curate a corporate application store – BlackBerry World for Work. Securely deploy your own in-house and or third-party application to the Work Space on both a corporate provided or personally owned device.

4. A Buffet of Mobile Device Management Options

Device Management is paramount to an Enterprise Mobility Management strategy and BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 is the only solution which can manage the entire fleet of BlackBerry devices including BlackBerry 10 smartphones and BlackBerry PlayBook tablets. Some companies may take a relaxed approach to device management and security, in which case BlackBerry 10 support for the ActiveSync protocol will meet their needs for synchronizing with their email platform and basic device management. Enterprises which are sensitive to the need to secure their corporate data will require greater security and management capabilities, which BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 offers. For these customers, a solution that delivers more comprehensive security and management controls is required, and it also supports personal use of the device.

5. It Meets the Needs of Highly Regulated Industries

Highly regulated and government organizations, and those businesses that take security very seriously require more stringent and granular EMM controls. The ability to control how personal apps interact with work contacts and networks, how data moves between work and personal perimeters, specifying work domains so resources can be contained to work perimeters, and they ability to control transfer of work files, contacts and messages via Bluetooth profiles are just some of the examples that EMM controls can offer.

6. Enterprise Grade Multi-Platform Management is Here

In addition to BlackBerry smartphones and tablets, BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 can be used to manage and secure iOS and Android devices. Administrators can add and import iOS and Android users, create group memberships, view user and device information, define IT controls and connectivity settings, manage applications, and assist users with the recovery of misplaced devices. In addition to these great management capabilities, we have integrated support for the TouchDown application for Android devices. Essentially, it is an ActiveSync-enabled add-on PIM application. It enables full PIM Sync and ActiveSync policies in order to fill the native ActiveSync gaps which exist on many Android devices.

The other key feature is Secure Enterprise Access, also referred to as Gatekeeping. A Gatekeeping solution acts as an access control and monitoring layer on top of an existing mobile email server. Some of the benefits of a Gatekeeping solution include requirement to block unauthorized employees from trying to access corporate email using personal devices by directly connecting to Exchange ActiveSync or a situation when an employee leaves your company and his or her personal device should no longer be permitted to connect to your server.

7. It Does it All from a Single Web-Based Console

An absolutely critical feature of BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 is the Unified Administrator Console – a single web-based console used to manage devices, applications, users, and security services. You can also manage your BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5 and BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express environment through the single console. You can manage all devices in one location, provision and activate devices, administer controls, push mandatory applications, and group users based on common criteria – all available out of the box. Great new capabilities include multiple active devices per user – in the case of a BlackBerry 10 smartphone and a BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, for example – as well as the ability to manage multiple servers from a single domain.

8. There’s a Straightforward Migration Path

We’ve also made sure that the migration path is as straightforward as possible. In-market solutions such as the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (currently version 5 Service Pack 4), which manages BlackBerry OS devices including BlackBerry 7, as well as BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, which added support for managing BlackBerry PlayBook tablets, iOS and Android devices, all have a path to the next generation BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10. BES 10 will be an upgrade to BlackBerry Mobile Fusion which will add support for BlackBerry 10 devices, meaning the migration path will be seamless. We know you don’t want to touch your existing production environment, so BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5 will continue to run and support your BlackBerry OS base. Users can migrate over time as you upgrade to BlackBerry 10. Keep in mind you can manage all your devices from a single Unified Admin Console!

The BlackBerry 10 Ready Program helps provide educational resources, tools, support, and offers to make the migration as seamless as possible. Learn more at www.blackberry.com/blackberry10ready.

9. You Can Trade Up Your BlackBerry Enterprise Server Licenses

To make the move to BlackBerry 10 even easier, we have implemented a BlackBerry Enterprise Server License Trade Up program. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server License Trade Up allows enterprise customers to leverage their existing investment in BlackBerry Enterprise Server licenses and trade them up for new licenses that will enable them to secure and manage BlackBerry 10 smartphones with BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10. We will be offering customers who purchase BlackBerry 10 smartphones the ability to trade up their existing BlackBerry Enterprise Server licenses on a one for one basis for free, until December 31, 2013. Learn more at www.blackberry.com/licensetradeup.

10. Global Technical Support is Here to Help

You cannot have a complete solution without a Global technical support program behind it. Our BlackBerry Technical Support Services (BTSS) has been streamlined to three tiers—Basic, Advantage and Premium—and includes new simplified pricing to align with BlackBerry 10. We’ve taken the features from the former Enhanced tier and added them to the Basic tier at that lower price. And for customers who want direct support which was included in the former Standard tier, they may purchase it as an option at the Advantage tier, or for a limited time, in a bundle with a Support Service Specialist. Learn more about the BlackBerry 10 Readiness Services that can help speed you on your way.

So there you have it: 10 things you should know about BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10! We are committed to keeping your business moving! Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Today I’d like you to meet Sunny Khalsa, a highly mobile and security-conscious worker who’s shared his story with us. Check out the video below to learn about how Sunny uses BlackBerry technology to stay fully functional and fully connected while on the road:

[ YouTube link for mobile viewing ]

With customers that include government agencies, it’s important to have reliable security built into the devices that you use. But security shouldn’t limit functionality – quite the opposite in fact; it should enable it. With trusted BlackBerry security, a whole world of apps and possibilities open up to allow employees to access corporate data while on the move.

I can particularly relate to Sunny’s hotel room ritual – connect a PlayBook tablet to the hotel room TV using an HDMI cable, pair a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, pop open an app like Citrix Receiver or even a remote desktop connection, and get right to it.

How do you use your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet on the road? Share your war stories in the comments below.

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.