STERLING, Va.-BlackBerry, Research In Motion Ltd.’s handheld e-mail computer favored by high-powered executives, will soon move from the boardroom to the battlefield under a new agreement among the U.S. Department of Defense, security system company Kasten Chase and RIM.
The device could be distributed to up to 2 million defense personnel around the globe under the deal.
The agreement calls for Kasten Chase to integrate its RASP Data Security software with RIM’s BlackBerry to meet the government’s strict security requirements.
“End-to-end, Triple DES encryption technology is a key component and a contributing success factor of the BlackBerry solution,” said Don Morrison, RIM’s chief operating officer. “Similarly, the Kasten Chase RASP Data Security solutions for wireless communications will provide the approved encryption technology and enhanced security features necessary for DMS environments.”
The U.S. government’s Defense Message System provides global messaging for the military and intelligence communities and also is used in Britain and Canada. The Defense Information System Agency, part of the Defense Department, began implementing DMS services in 1988.
The solution is scheduled to be available later this year.
RIM’s stock was up 4.8 percent in midafternoon trading Thursday, at $60 per share.
