RIM announces new BlackBerry smart card reader
18 August, 2009
category: Corporate, Digital ID
Research In Motion has announced a new model of its BlackBerry Smart Card Reader that makes it easy for organizations to implement multi-factor authentication for computers, Blackberry smart phones and public key infrastructure applications. The lightweight, wearable, ISO 7816 compliant card reader enables proximity controlled access to a user’s smart phone and computer.
The reader uses Bluetooth 2.0 technology with advanced AES-256 encryption to enable secure pairing and communications between the reader, the BlackBerry phone, the computer and PKI applications.
Organizations also now have the ability to deploy the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader as a security accessory for BlackBerry smart phones, even if the organization does not use smart cards. Once paired with the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader via Bluetooth, the smart phone will automatically lock if it is out of range of the reader.
Key benefits of the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader include:
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Prevent Unauthorized Access – instead of inserting the smart card into a stationary reader or peripheral attachment, which can easily be left behind, users insert a smart card into this sleek lightweight reader and wear it on a lanyard. If the user is no longer in proximity, the smart phone or computer will automatically lock.
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Convenience and Ease of Use – provides users with the convenience of a single reader to control access to both their BlackBerry smart phone and computer.
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Increases Security Compliance – increasing the convenience and comfort of using smart cards helps to ensure that users comply with organizational security directives. Using IT policy controls, BlackBerry smart phones and computers can be configured to lock if the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader goes out of range, rendering the smart phone or computer unusable and information inaccessible until proximity is restored and user authentication requirements have been met.