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RIM Announces Next-Gen BlackBerry Smart Card Reader

by Bla1ze on 17 Aug 2009 09:29 AM
12
 
RIM Announces Next Generation BlackBerry Smart Card Reader

RIM has always been a leader in the IT security field, with the usage of BlackBerry Enterprise Server spread across so many organizations now it would make your head spin. In these times when demand for higher levels of security is important, RIM has just announced their forth coming updated version of the BlackBerry Smart Card reader. More details below.

The new BlackBerry Smart Card Reader features:

Enhanced Design – a sleeker design measuring only 3.98” x 2.4” x 0.57” and weighing only 2.26 oz. makes the peripheral more comfortable to wear. It also features a larger display and backlighting for easier viewing, as well as power management features that can extend battery life between charges (900mAh integrated lithium ion battery).

Increased Security – when used with the BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution, the new BlackBerry Smart Card Reader offers additional security options that can be set by the IT administrator.

Additional Content Protection – IT administrators can configure settings to allow handset passwords to work only if the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader is within range. These settings add another layer of protection on top of the handset password and will also be enforcable for a secondary password* required to unlock encrypted data on the handset.

More Complex Bluetooth Passwords – the previous BlackBerry Smart Card Reader model supported a randomly generated 8-digit numeric Bluetooth pairing PIN and this new model can now support more complex Bluetooth pairing PINs with both characters (symbols, letters, capital letters) and numbers.

Support for a Wide Range of Smart Cards – the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader supports all ISO 7816 compliant smart cards and provides out of the box support for Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards, Common Access Cards (CAC) and Safenet 330 cards.

Security these days is an essential component of any business, deploying smart card readers coupled with an enterprise server can give you the assurance you are looking for. The new BlackBerry Smart Card Reader is expected to be available in September and is being previewed this week at the LandWarNet 2009 Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. For more about the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader visit: www.blackberry.com/go/smartcardreader.

[ MarketWire ]
Filed Under: Enterprise;
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12 Comments

Posted by gonzoanthro Monday, Aug 17, 2009 908 days ago

Bow down and love the first!

 
 
Posted by amirnabilkamelsaad Monday, Aug 17, 2009 908 days ago

I'm sorry, what is that smart card by RIM. I'm a regular BIS user and I do not recall reading anything about smart card readers.
Can somebody please shed some light on the subject please?
What is it used for? what was before...etc.

 
 
Posted by Bla1ze Monday, Aug 17, 2009 908 days ago

The link..to the explanation of the service is right in the article..

 
 
Posted by Yandar Monday, Aug 17, 2009 908 days ago

Has anybody else noticed that at the end of the BB site release for this it states:

The new BlackBerry Smart Card Reader is expected to be available in September and is being previewed this week at the LandWarNet 2009 Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. To find out more about the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader visit: www.blackberry.com/go/smartcardreader.

* requires BlackBerry Device Software version 5.0 or higher

So september of OS 5 then?

 
 
Posted by Bla1ze Monday, Aug 17, 2009 908 days ago

Was waiting to see who would catch onto that..as I read it and posted it I made mention of the 5.0 inclusion to Kevin.

 
 
Posted by LoSt180 Monday, Aug 17, 2009 908 days ago

Nice catch, but it looks like OS 5.0 is only required to use the feature of locking the device to a smart card reader, even if you don't really use smart cards. At least that's what I get from the * (asterisk).

 
 
Posted by Cohibaluvr Monday, Aug 17, 2009 908 days ago

amirnabilkamelsaad -

The reader is mainly used for Govt employees (see picture above) that have CAC (Commom Access Cards) for work that want to encrypt email messages and receive email messages.

 
 
Posted by ushneb Monday, Aug 17, 2009 908 days ago

Interesting. I wonder if RIM will utilize the barcode function for security purposes in the future. I mean for more than just adding BBM contacts but actually using it for identification/security needs.

 
 
Posted by Sith_Apprentice Monday, Aug 17, 2009 908 days ago

It reads a chip in the card, or a fingerprint/proximity. These devices have been in testing/certification for quite some time. They are EAL 4+ and work very well.

 
 
Posted by DravenX Monday, Aug 17, 2009 908 days ago

It is also for secure websites.

 
 
Posted by thehoomizon21 Monday, Aug 17, 2009 908 days ago

i'm pretty sure it doesn't look like this

 
 
Posted by jarviskettlehake Tuesday, Aug 18, 2009 907 days ago

I was at a conference in Atlantic City last week, and they told us that we were getting new BB that would take away our need for a laptop, not sure that this will actually do it or not but it is a step in the right direction. P.S. forgot to say I work for the military and that is who is getting them.