Samsung, BlackBerry seek partnership in security solutions

Canada-based smartphone maker BlackBerry Ltd. said Friday it plans to join forces with South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. to roll out a new security solution for mobile devices, set to be released in the first half of 2015.

   Under the plan, the two players will combine the BlackBerry Enterprise Server 12 mobility management solution with Samsung Electronics' KNOX security system, and aim to provide "end-to-end security for Android."

   "Early next year, enterprise customers will have a new choice, a tightly integrated, end-to-end secure solution that brings together BES12 ... with Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets that are embedded with Samsung KNOX," BlackBerry said in its release.

   The company added the project will provide users with "an integrated solution that brings together the secure connectivity and ... data management capabilities BlackBerry is known for together with the security features embedded in Samsung Galaxy devices."

   "We share the goal to provide enterprises with the most secure mobility solutions through this partnership with BlackBerry," a Samsung KNOX official said. "Samsung KNOX is focused on delivering secure mobility solutions to enterprises and, combined with BES12, we will offer more options for customers that need enhanced levels of security on Android devices."

   "It is a natural progression in our path to providing our customers with more alternatives to meet their evolving mobile needs," said John Sims, who heads BlackBerry. "Samsung KNOX offers a number of hardware and software security features."  (Yonhap)