BlackBerry VS National Security

RIM / BlackBerry?

BlackBerry is a line of mobile e-mail and Smartphone devices developed and designed by Canadian company Research In Motion (RIM) since 1996. All BlackBerry traffic runs through RIM data centers, which help manage the devices. It also runs through BlackBerry servers, which encrypt and unscramble messages.

What makes BlackBerry popular?

Most companies use encrypted connections for their corporate e-mails, at least if employees need to access e-mail outside the office through virtual private networks and other secure systems. One of the reasons Research In Motion Ltd. has been so successful with its BlackBerry phones is that it brought that level of security to e-mail-capable phones. The Smartphone used by nearly a million customers in India!

President of the United States Barack Obama became known for his dependence on a BlackBerry device for communication during his 2008 presidential campaign. Despite the security issues, he insisted on using it and becoming the first President of the United States to use mobile e-mail.And BlackBerry celebrates this!!

How does BlackBerry's security system work?

RIM uses powerful codes to scramble, or encrypt, messages as they travel between a BlackBerry server and the BlackBerry device. If a worker loses their BlackBerry, RIM is able to remotely wipe all messages on the device and de active it.RIM says even they themselves cannot unscramble data of its large business and government clients because the servers that handle that task are located on the premises of its customers.

Why it is a security threat?

Encryption, however, poses a problem for law enforcement officials. With the current status they can intercept encrypted messages, but can't read them unless the encryption is poor and agents have vast computer resources to use in unscrambling them. Traditional investigative tools such as wiretaps don't work. Canada's RIM and other technology companies stress that they agree to legal requests from law enforcement, but in RIM's case, it can't decrypt the messages on its corporate e-mail service. The latest development indicates that security agencies are finding it difficult to intercept or decipher messages sent through BlackBerry phones, which use codes with an encryption of 256 bits. This encryption code first scrambles the emails sent from a BlackBerry device and unscrambles it when the message reaches its target.According to the authorities, the way Blackberry data is managed and stored means some Blackberry applications allow people to misuse the service. This could cause serious social, judicial and national security repercussions.They also claims it has become one of the terrorist plots.

I will put it in a simple way, the Enforcement /Police can tap your phone, but if the people talking are speaking in code, the federal agents still won't be able to understand what they're saying. So there is no use if only getting access to the server rather than will be able to decode what is going on!

What are the countries involved. What is India’s role?

As of now the governments of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, India, Lebanon, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates are involved in this and I bet you more countries will line up as this is going to directly hit their national security.

Although an issue previously, Indian security concerns were heightened after the terrorist attack on Mumbai in November 2008. That attack was coordinated using mobile phones, satellite phones and VOIP. We cannot compromise on our security for any reasons. It clearly shows government’s inability to eavesdrop on encrypted communications. So now the providers are responsible for giving a back door entry to these encrypted messages.

Why there is a defense from the BlackBerry?

As we discussed one of the reason for its popularity is the level of security to e-mail-capable phones. So once they lost this and allowed to access for a third party to see all these secrets Blackberry will be same as ordinary like other Rivals, including Apple Inc, Google Inc, Nokia and Microsoft Corp, design their products so they communicate directly with ordinary email servers.

Whether RIM grants such access to other countries, including the United States?

U.S. authorities can seek a court order to tap BlackBerry traffic, giving them access to messages sent over the network. Officials with Research in Motion declined to talk about how they provide such access. It is possible that the government provides such requests directly to RIM's customers. And as far as India and some Middle East countries concern they are not enjoying this freedom.

What are the demands from National Security Agencies ?

Enforcement agencies demand is simple. Authorities need to put an mechanism on the BlackBerry server, whether run by RIM itself or one of its customers, that has the key for descrambling the messages.

Why only BlackBerry Why not Google Skype and VPN?

Yes it is. going ahead, After mobile phone maker BlackBerry, the government will issue notices to search engine Google, internet phone call provider Skype, service provider Virtual Private Network ( VPN is a network that uses a public telecommunication infrastructure, such as the Internet, to provide remote offices or individual users with secure access to their organization's network) and a few other entities to make available their services to law enforcement agencies. The data travelling through Google, Skype, VPN and a few other networks will be accessible by security agencies in the country in future.

What is US involvement in this?

Lets discuss the United States involvent in this issue.US have alredy in touch with countries like India, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia over their concerns with regard to the security features of BlackBerry. The Obama Administration is getting itself entangled in the disputes and concerns between Canadian BlackBerry Smartphone maker Research in Motion and the governments of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, India, Lebanon, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. Some countries have announced that they may ban the Smartphone while the UAE has already issued a ban beginning October, restricting BlackBerry use to just voice communications.US is working with these countries "to understand the security concerns and see if we can't work collaboratively to find solutions.”

But what ever may be finally to continue there service in any contries they are forced to sit with enforcement agencies and work out a solutions which is acceptable for both.And in future more contries are going to line up with the same demand.No one can compermise there National security.

These are some of the questions I was asking myself to understand this issue, Hope this help you too If you have more questions /answeres or any inputs you are most welcome.