BlackBerry has agreed to acquire German-based Secusmart GmbH, which provides high-security voice and data encryption and anti-eavesdropping solutions for government organisations, enterprises and telecommunications service providers.
The move is part of BlackBerry's bid to bolster its enterprise mobile security offering. The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals.
John Chen, CEO of BlackBerry, says the company's improvements of its security solutions form part of its aim "to keep up with the growing complexity of enterprise mobility, with devices being used for more critical tasks and to store more critical information, and security attacks becoming more sophisticated".
"The acquisition of Secusmart underscores our focus on addressing growing security costs and threats ranging from individual privacy to national security.
"This acquisition bolsters our security solutions with leading voice and data encryption and anti-eavesdropping technologies, and furthers BlackBerry's security leadership in end-to-end mobile solutions," says Chen.
Previous partnership
According to BlackBerry, its relationship with Secusmart extends a year-old partnership to offer the German company's technology to customers that have the most demanding security needs. "Last year, the SecuSUITE for BlackBerry 10 solution was selected by Germany's Federal Office for Information Security for classified communications for the country's highest public officials," says the Canadian firm in a statement.
"Through this collaboration, the two companies have provided Secusmart-equipped BlackBerry smartphones to a significant number of German government agencies and almost all German government ministries and leaders, including chancellor Angela Merkel."
Hans-Christoph Quelle, MD of Secusmart, adds the transaction is an opportunity to "accelerate growth in the market for high-end secure communications solutions, driven by the need to combat electronic eavesdropping and data theft".
"Secusmart and BlackBerry's solution already meets the highest security requirements of the German federal authorities and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) for restricted communications. We see significant opportunities to introduce Secusmart's solutions to more of BlackBerry's government and enterprise customers around the world."
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