BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) yesterday announced that BlackBerry smartphones running on the BlackBerry 7 Operating System (OS) have been independently evaluated by a third-party Common Criteria evaluation facility and meet the security criteria for evaluation assurance level (EAL) 4+.
Common Criteria is an international standard for validating that products meet specific security requirements. Respected for its extensive evaluation by an independent third-party, EAL4+ accreditation examines a product's design, software development methodology, and security mechanisms. EAL4+ is the highest level of accreditation under the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement by 26 countries.
Scott Totzke, senior VP of security at Canada-based RIM, says security is of utmost importance for enterprise customers, and as such, it is encouraging that BlackBerry 7 OS acquired the certification.
“This helps to provide our customers globally with continued confidence in deploying BlackBerry solutions throughout their organisations.”
RIM is active in the Cryptographic Module Validation Programme in North America, UK CESG Assisted Product Service and International Common Criteria evaluation scheme.
BlackBerry Enterprise Server has been previously awarded EAL4+ certification and the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution has also been previously approved for storing and transmitting sensitive data by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, as well as government organisations in the US, Canada, the UK, Austria, Australia and New Zealand.
The EAL4+ certification for the BlackBerry Bold 9900, Torch 9810, Torch 9860 and Curve 9360 smartphones based on BlackBerry 7 OS is posted on the Common Criteria Portal. EAL4+ certification for other BlackBerry 7 OS smartphones including the BlackBerry Bold 9930, Torch 9850, Curve 9350, Curve 9370 and Porsche Design P'9981 is expected early next year.
To find out more about BlackBerry security certifications, visit www.blackberry.com/go/security.
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