BlackBerry Announces Tablet With Chip-Based Security

BlackBerry has introduced a modified Samsung tablet designed for corporate and government users requiring stringent security.

The SecuTablet, based on a Samsung Tab S 10.5, includes hardware encryption from BlackBerry’s SecuSmart unit as well as security software from IBM, which is handling worldwide sales of the device.

Germany-based SecuSmart, which demonstrated secure smartphones at CeBit last year, was acquired by BlackBerry in 2014. The company’s technology uses a cryptographic engine and keystore built into a SD card to secure business data, complementing IBM’s software, which isolates sensitive data in a secure virtual container.

The 2,250-euro (£1,603) device is to be available by the third quarter of this year and is currently being evaluated by the German government for classified communications.

SecuSmart expects to ship 10,000 units within Germany alone next year, according to Hans-Christoph Quelle, former SecuSmart chief executive and now head of the unit.

Quelle told conference attendees that the device is intended to provide high security while allowing users to continue running personal software.

“The most important thing is that we combine security with usability,” he said. “We don’t want to take the fun things away from people.”

PlayBook

BlackBerry previously attempted to compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple with its ill-fated PlayBook tablet in 2011, but is now looking to build on its reputation for enterprise-grade security to sell software and components for third-party devices.

With the SecuSmart device the company is collaborating with two of its former competitors in the tablet market – IBM signed a deal to collaborate on mobile business devices with Apple last July.

SecuSmart also sells BlackBerry 10 smartphones modified to use its SD card, which are used by Angela Merkel and members of her government. The unit’s technology is also used by the government of Canada, BlackBerry’s home country, and other governments.

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