Computer security

Two 'Computer security' stories January 2015 - August 2015

BlackBerry puts its Android-related domains to use, launches ‘Android Secured hub’

The internet got more than a little excited about BlackBerry buying up a couple of Android-related domains a few weeks ago. Although they came at a time when rumors of an Android-powered BlackBerry smartphone were floating around, turns out they’re nothing to do with that. As was always the more likely scenario, BlackBerry has used these domains to show us how it keeps our Android phones secure through its BES12 enterprise management system.

In a blog post today, BlackBerry has announced Android Secured, a dedicated web space for keeping customers up to date on the management and security of Android phones. The new Android Secured hub can be found at www.manageandroid.com.

To that end we’ve recently launched the Android Secured hub for fresh news and updates on all things Android security and Android management. Check it out and be sure to visit again soon as we curate the top articles and stories that will keep you on the cutting edge.

From just skimming over it quickly, it appears to be a collation of various articles and videos from across the web which BlackBerry thinks is important to share with its enterprise customers. There is some BlackBerry-created content too, like an eBook on enterprise mobile security (for example). This is undoubtedly a push to reaffirm the company’s relevance in a market where so many people now want to bring their own phones to work. And where companies don’t necessarily want to fork out for an iPhone.

This doesn’t necessarily mean we won’t see a BlackBerry Android device. The manufacturer’s own chief, John Chen said the company might as long as they can make it secure. What’s more, there have been supposed leaks of a BlackBerry ‘Venice’ portrait-slider which may or may not be on its way.

China accused of protectionism through new cybersecurity rules aimed at western tech companies

The NY Times reports that the Chinese government has adopted a set of supposed cybersecurity regulations on western companies selling technology to banks. These requirements are so absurd that it would be impossible for companies like smartphone manufacturers to comply.

The Chinese government has adopted new regulations requiring companies that sell computer equipment to Chinese banks to turn over secret source code, submit to invasive audits and build so-called back doors into hardware and software, according to a copy of the rules obtained by foreign technology companies that do billions of dollars’ worth of business in China.

The paper reports that while the regulations are so far limited to sales to Chinese banks, they are merely the first in a series of new cybersecurity policies expected to be introduced in the coming months, and businesses fear that they are designed to protect local manufacturers from foreign companies.

One theory raised in the NY Times piece is that the moves may be retaliation for an effective US ban on Huawei servers and networking products following concerns that they contained backdoor access for use by the Chinese government.