It has now been over a month since RIM released the BB10. Behind the launch were many skeptics, implying the beginning of the end for the company. While smartphone fanatics have constantly mocked BlackBerry for its total lack of cool factor, for many in the Business world, BlackBerry provides organization and security.
One corporation that has a widespread use of BlackBerry in its network is the federal government. The government’s affinity for BlackBerry came from the device’s amazing security roadblocks.With one swift announcement, it may seem that BlackBerry’s reign in corporate offices may be over, as the Department of Defense prepares to open its network to iOS and Android development devices starting February 2014.
While the department of defense, or DoD, preferred BlackBerry as its phone of choice, it has also selectively allowed iOS and Android devices. The Pentagon sees this as a multi-vendor solution as a “platform agnostic” solution.
Currently, BlackBerry smartphones make up approximately a little over two-thirds of the devices on the department of defense’s network. With the increasing popularity of Android and iOS, it might be safe to say that number might soon decrease. For example, Home Depot has already removed itself from BlackBerry exclusivity, by switching to the iPhone.
For years, BlackBerry’s security has been highly praised as one of its greatest features. The times, however, are changing. Most recently, Samsung has patented its mobile security Knox, which will no doubt be a strong competitor to BlackBerry’s security features. Samsung’s Knox allows users to separate their corporate and personal accounts. Knox also allows for single sign-ons for multiple apps. Knox will allow users secure use of their e-mails, CRMs and other business-related applications.
With such advancement in mobile security, it may not take long for BlackBerry to feel the impact of changes in network policy by the pentagon. These changes are signs that not only is mobile security advancing, but IT departments are developing network systems that may complement the security concerns that companies may have about particular devices.
As the pentagon prepares to give its employees more freedom in the mobile realm, the future looks promising as other companies may soon begin to adopt a similar policy. This is a testament to further development of mobile security on both ends from corporate employers and carriers.