BlackBerry launches secure enterprise-messaging tool, BBM Protected

BlackBerry announced on Monday the launch of a new secure enterprise-messaging tool, BBM Protected, within its eBBM suite.

According to BlackBerry, the instant messaging app brought a higher level of security to messages sent between its line of smartphones.

The real-time mobile messaging app uses the FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic library, the US government computer security standard for accrediting cryptographic modules.

With the app, the sender and recipient get public / private encryption and signing keys, generated on the device by the FIPS 140-2 library.

Messages from the sender's smartphone are authenticated by a Triple DES 168-bit BBM scrambling key, which then authenticates and decrypts messages on the recipient's phone.

According to BlackBerry, BBM chats could extend beyond enterprise employees to include other companies not operating on the same BES server.

The current release of BBM Protected works on BlackBerry smartphones running BB0S 6.0 or later or BlackBerry 10 in Regulated mode.

The company expects to roll out versions of the app for BlackBerry 10 smartphones using BlackBerry Balance and iOS and Android devices later this year.

"eBBM Suite is a new family of BBM products and services built for business that bring together the convenience and usability of BBM with the additional security and compliance required by enterprise customers," BlackBerry said in a statement.

The suite would include new services designed for enabling mobile workers to be more productive on the go, even as they met the needs of enterprises for security, manageability and control.

According to the Waterloo (Ontario)-based firm, the first product in the suite, BBM Protected which was announced earlier this year was being delivered ahead of schedule on Monday.

"BBM Protected is the only secure mobile instant messaging app that uses a FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic library. BBM Protected enables employees to use the same app to securely message colleagues inside the company for work as they do to chat and share with family and friends outside the company," BlackBerry said.