A new high-security tablet incorporating IBM’s ‘app-wrapping’ technology has been unveiled by Blackberry-owned voice and data encryption firm Secusmart.
The device has been built in collaboration with Samsung, to provide additional security features for business and governments alike. IBM’s app technology allows organisations to contain their enterprise apps and integrate security controls without needing to modify a single layer of code.
Currently undergoing security certification at the German Federal Office for Information Security, the Secutablet will offer organisations extra layers of security for their sensitive data. However, whilst the device was made with corporate and government pain points in mind, Secusmart has confirmed that less vigorously protected social media and video platforms can also be used.
Secutablets are “based on” the Samsung Galaxy 10.5, according to the manufacturer, and also run on Samsung hardware. They are compatible with the Blackberry 10, and it’s likely they will run on Android. This, according to CCS Insight vice-president Nick McQuire, is due to “Blackberry’s focus on becoming more of a cross-platform security company,” as well as the fact that Samsung is a partner.
Dr Hans-Christoph Quelle, CEO of Secusmart GmbH, said: “Security is ingrained in every part of Blackberry’s portfolio, which includes voice and data encryption solutions.
“Subject to certification of the Secutablet, German government agencies will have a new way to access Blackberry’s most secure and complete communications network in the world.”
Blackberry purchased the German firm in December 2014. It clearly got to work straight away, with Secusmart revealing the Secutablet at the CeBit technology fair in mid-March. Having struggled in the tablet market in the past with the now-discontinued 2010 PlayBook device, Blackberry will be hoping this new device performs much better.
The Secutablet is expected to cost roughly £1,600. It will face stiff competition from Silent Circle, the privacy platform behind the encrypted Blackphone, which announced the new security-focused Blackphone 2 smartphone in March.
