Research In Motion announced that CESG, the National Technical Authority for Information Assurance in the UK, has approved the BlackBerry 7 operating system for government use. The approval enables public sector workers to use the latest BlackBerry smartphones available in the UK.
The Canadian firm says its BlackBerry Enterprise Solution from RIM is the only mobile solution approved by CESG to protect material classified up to and including ‘Restricted’.
Stephen Bates, UK Managing Director, RIM, said: “We’re pleased to see CESG taking such positive steps to help ensure UK government workers have access to the latest suite of BlackBerry 7 smartphones. Thanks in part to our security credentials, BlackBerry smartphones are deployed in the Ministry of Defence (MoD), most of Central Government and more than half of the UK’s police forces, NHS and local government organisations. BlackBerry smartphones are enabling greater efficiencies and improved citizen service by providing access to data such as patient records, the Police National Computer and other government systems at the point of need.”
Using the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution has led to savings and it is claimed better citizen service across public sector bodies including UK police forces who are using BlackBerry smartphones to increase productivity among officers and to enable them to spend more time on the streets and less time in the station.
BlackBerry smartphones available in the UK and covered by the new approval from CESG include the Bold 9900, Bold 9790, Torch 9810, Torch 9860, Curve 9360 and Curve 9380.
