Protected Mobility, a mobile security company, announced the release of ProtectedSMS for Android smartphones, enabling BlackBerry and Android users to exchange secure, encrypted text messages with individuals who have installed the software.
Unlike other secure texting solutions that require a subscription through a third-party security gateway, ProtectedSMS is a handset-to-handset solution that keeps privacy in the control of users and works across all networks and carriers. ProtectedSMS installs in seconds and is as easy to use as sending a text message.
Developed for law enforcement, government and corporate professionals who require secure and convenient message protection, ProtectedSMS utilizes AES 256 FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption, and is available via individual and enterprise licenses. Protected Mobility’s key management and encryption process enables easy transfer of existing client applications to a secure mobile platform. An iPhone version of ProtectedSMS will be available later in Q2 2011 along with tablet and iPad versions. Individual licenses are $49.95 per user, with a free 14-day download.
Government, Financial Services and Healthcare Sectors Validate Need for Secure Texting
Just four months after launching its maiden product, Protected Mobility already has pilots underway with first responder, law enforcement and defense agencies in the government sector, and with leading financial services and healthcare companies in the commercial sector. These enterprises leverage the dual capabilities provided by ProtectedSMS to both confirm identity (trusted source) and protect message content (encryption) in a manner transparent to the user.
Our early law enforcement users confirmed the market opportunity we developed Protected Mobility technology to fulfill,” said Bill Marlow, founder and CEO of Protected Mobility. Until now, people on the front lines of government and industry couldn’t use text messaging without putting themselves or confidential information at risk.”
The number of text messages sent globally tripled between 2007 and 2010, from 1.8 trillion to a staggering 6.1 trillion, with more than 3.5 million messages sent per minute in the United States, according to ITU World Telecommunications. The Pew Research Center found in May 2010 that 72 percent of U.S. adult cell phone users send and receive text messages.
Current security gaps make text messages vulnerable to interception, spoofing (changing sender ID) and modification. Compromising the privacy and confidentiality of text message communications, once the domain of highly skilled hackers, is now inexpensive and very easy today.
These increased risks pose a significant threat for professionals engaged in government, law enforcement and corporate activities where security is critical for protecting confidential information, personal safety and facilitating emergency communications when limited capabilities are available. These same risks threaten disruption of one-to-one and one-to-many messaging applications currently in development for financial services, healthcare and disaster recovery.
editor@telecomlead.com
