BlackBerry 10 platform gets NATO approval for classified communications

Struggling smartphone-maker BlackBerry Thursady said it has received NATO approval to use its BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 (BES10) and BB10 smartphones for classified communications up to a "restricted" level.

The approval for classified communications, just months after debut, is testament to thoroughness of its design and BlackBerry's commitment to its defence and government customers, BlackBerry Senior Vice President (Security) Scott Totzke said in a statement.

(Also see: RIM rolls out new Enterprise Service version ahead of BlackBerry 10 launch)

The certification allows agencies in all 28 North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) member states across North America and Europe to use BlackBerry 10 smartphones in the office or in the field.

It provides assurance to security-conscious organisations, including government agencies, companies in regulated industries and other firms dealing with sensitive information, that data handled by BlackBerry 10 smartphones is strongly secured and encrypted.

"We built the new BlackBerry 10 platform from the ground up with the highest security needs of our government and enterprise customers in mind," Totzke said.

Since its launch earlier this year, BlackBerry has installed more than 25,000 BES10 commercial and test servers, it said.