Following the discovery of the stagefright vulnerability several months ago, it prompted companies like Google, Samsung, and LG to introduce a new program in which they would issue monthly security updates for their devices so as to stay on top of things. The good news is that BlackBerry shares the same sentiment and has also promised to do the same.
In a blog post, BlackBerry shares some of their plans on how they will keep the BlackBerry PRIV secure. Given that the phone will run on Android, in which control is largely out of their hands, the company is hoping that these new security measures will ensure that the phone will remain as secure as its BBOS devices.
One of those methods is through monthly security updates. Another method will be through hotfixes where if an issue has proven to be too urgent to wait for the next monthly update, the company will push out hotfixes instead which are basically targeted fixes. According to the company, “While BlackBerry will work with its go-to-market partners on approval and delivery of hotfixes, BlackBerry has the ability to directly patch all PRIV variants and will do so when necessary to protect users and enterprises.”
The last method in their three-pronged approach is through software and services like BES and OTA management systems. This is targeted mainly at enterprise where in the past, IT has managed the software updates for company devices, but given today’s culture of BYOD, that has changed somewhat. So by reintroducing BES and management software, BlackBerry will be giving some of the control back to the company’s IT department.
Will these steps help ensure a more secure BlackBerry PRIV? For now they do sound promising and we guess only time will tell.
Filed in . Read more about Android, BlackBerry, Blackberry Priv and Security.
