BlackBerry Intros Secure Workspace for Android, iOS

BlackBerry introduces a technology that allows users to securely handle business and personal data on smartphones and tablets. To be marketed as an update to the BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10, the new Secure Work Space for Android and iOS approximates what the Balance software does for BlackBerry’s line of Z10 and Q10 smartphones.  

With the introduction of Secure Work Space, “we're extending as many of these [Balance] features as possible to other platforms,” said David Smith, head of mobile enterprise computing at BlackBerry, in a prepared statement.

Closed beta testing has already started, which involved enterprise and government customers. Pricing for Secure Work Space has not been announced yet, but it will be made available before June 30. During the BlackBerry Live conference on May 14-16, 2013 in Orlando, Florida, more details about Secure Work Space will be unveiled.

“We've gotten some excellent feedback from early beta customers, and we're very excited about the technology,” remarked Peter Devenyi, senior vice president of enterprise software at BlackBerry, in a phone interview by CIO.

Devenyi then went on to explain the differences between Balance and Secure Work Space. He said that, with Balance, the separation of work-related and personal data is readily built into the core of the operating system of a BlackBerry 10 device. Emails and apps from work are securely detached from those used for personal purposes, although they can be virtually merged when using a single calendar view.

When it comes to mobile devices powered by Android, Secure Work Space functions similarly. Personal and work data can be viewed by a user on different wallpaper, and the user can also toggle between the two. But unlike Balance on BlackBerry 10 devices, Secure Work Space will not support a shared virtual view of personal and work data. 

On iOS devices, Secure Work Space will situate the apps used for work on the user’s home screen. They will be designated by a lock icon. According to Devenyi, the differences between Secure Work Space on Android and Secure Work Space on iOS are attributed to device limitations.

“Corporations have long trusted and relied on BlackBerry Enterprise Server, now called BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10, to manage these devices,” BlackBerry’s Devenyi said. “Since the devices allowed into most corporations aren't all BlackBerry – and we don't expect them to be – it makes perfect sense to bring our know-how to other devices.”

Devenyi also touted that Secure Work Space would save effort and money for IT shops because they would not rely on virtual private network (VPN) systems in order to manage mobile devices behind a firewall. A company introducing new apps for workers could simply secure and add those apps to mobile devices without modifying the source code. According to Devenyi, BlackBerry is also open to the idea of providing support for Windows Phone if customers widely call for it. (KOM) Link. Link.