
RIM BlackBerry Smart Card Reader 2.0
RIM has always been a leader in the IT security field, with the usage of BlackBerry Enterprise Server spread across so many organizations now it would make your head spin. In these times when demand for higher levels of security is important, RIM has just announced their forth coming updated version of the BlackBerry Smart Card reader. More details below.
BlackBerry Smart Card Reader 2
Certified Secure – US Department of Defense
The BlackBerry® Smart Card Reader is designed to allow mobile personnel to meet operational requirements for using multi-factor authentication with Bluetooth®-enabled Microsoft® Windows® computers, BlackBerry® smartphones, PKI applications and for highly secure web browsing—without negatively impacting the user experience.
The BlackBerry Smart Card Reader can replace serial or USB based card readers, even if your organization has not deployed a BlackBerry solution. This enables you to benefit from un-tethered access to your smart card credentials from your desktop or laptop computer.
The BlackBerry Smart Card Reader is designed to solve a fundamental security concern for organizations, helping eliminate unauthorized access to unlocked computers and BlackBerry smartphones. Instead of inserting the smart card into a stationary reader or bulky peripheral attachment which can easily be left behind, users insert a smart card into this lightweight reader and wear it on a lanyard, causing smartphones and computers to lock when the user is not in proximity.
S/MIME Support
The BlackBerry Smart Card Reader works with certificates on smart cards to leverage your organization’s S/MIME infrastructure‡ and is designed to enable your employees to digitally sign and encrypt messages on either their BlackBerry smartphones or computers to provide sender-to-recipient security.
Advanced Security Features
When used with the BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution, the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader supports advanced security features to help meet IT and public sector requirements, including:
- AES-256 encryption
- FIPS 140-2 validated encryption module
- S/MIME support
- Wireless IT policy enforcement on smartphones
The BlackBerry Smart Card Reader is designed to minimize the impact of operational requirements on users, making it easier for them to comply with your security policies.
The BlackBerry Smart Card Reader can help your organization:
Increase Security Compliance – Increasing the convenience and comfort of using smart cards with BlackBerry smartphones and computers helps to ensure that users comply with organizational security directives. Using IT policy controls, BlackBerry smartphones and computers can be configured to lock if the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader goes out of range, rendering the smartphone or computer unusable and information inaccessible until proximity is restored and user authentication requirements have been met.
Meet Strict Government Security Requirements – FIPS 140-2 validated encryption technology. Built on the proven BlackBerry® Java® Virtual Machine (BlackBerry JVM), the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader uses an AES-256 encryption overlay for Bluetooth. It allows organizations using smart cards to add additional security features to the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution security architecture.
Provide an Enhanced User Experience Compared With Competing Solutions – The slim, lightweight BlackBerry Smart Card Reader features long battery life and Bluetooth technology that allows users to comfortably wear the reader on a lanyard. No more heavy peripherals or bulky smartphone attachments are required for authenticating to BlackBerry smartphones or computers with smart cards.
Manage Key Lifetimes Wirelessly – System administrators gain additional control over the wireless environment with the ability to wirelessly manage security key lifetimes on the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader through the BlackBerry® Enterprise Server.
Security these days is an essential component of any business, deploying smart card readers coupled with an enterprise server can give you the assurance you are looking for. The new BlackBerry Smart Card Reader is expected to be available in September and is being previewed this week at the LandWarNet 2009 Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. For more about the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader visit: www.blackberry.com/go/smartcardreader.