RIM BlackBerry

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Create richer applications that are more compelling and provide more productivity than ever before with the enhanced security and native networking capabilities of BlackBerry® handhelds.

Designed with extra protection in mind, BlackBerry ensures that sensitive corporate data remains secure when sent over a wireless network using a BlackBerry Enterprise Server", which can be used for secure wireless Internet or intranet access. BlackBerry Enterprise Server acts as a secure gateway from the wireless network to any HTTP-based server that can be accessed from a corporate network.

Using the BlackBerry Enterprise Server as a Gateway

The BlackBerry Mobile Data System is an optimized development framework for the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution. As part of this system, the BlackBerry Enterprise Server contains a feature called MDS Services, which manages the interactions and requests between BlackBerry devices and enterprise applications.

When an application makes a connection, the request is sent to the MDS Services using Triple DES or AES encryption and network authentication. This enhanced security means that MDS Services can safely accommodate browser-based content written in WML and Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (xHTML), as well as wireless J2ME" applications created using either the BlackBerry JDE or BlackBerry MDS Studio.

Key Features of MDS Services

Standard connectivity using HTTP/HTTPS or SOAP/HTTP
XML language support
Data push support
Data optimization for efficient wireless transmission
Robust BlackBerry security using encryption, authentication, and IT policies.

Using a WAP Gateway

Another option for sending data is to use the WAP gateway hosted by AT&T. The WAP gateway translates wireless protocols into HTTP. Even though the airlink is encrypted in this instance, you may wish to implement additional security when transmitting sensitive data over the open Internet. Options include Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS). Depending on the sensitivity of transmitted data, there are additional security options you may want to consider, such as VPNs and passwords.

Browser-based applications that are connecting via HTTP over the open internet should be written in WML. They connect to the WAP gateway hosted by AT&T. If an application is making a secure connection through the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, developers may choose to code applications in WML or xHTML.

Triple DES or AES Added Security

AT&T has taken measures to ensure that data is encrypted when transmitted over the GPRS/EDGE radio link.

Triple Data Encryption Standard (Triple DES) or Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is used as an end-to-end solution to encrypt data being sent over the airlink between BlackBerry handhelds and servers on the corporate network, through the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Data being transmitted through the WAP gateway hosted by AT&T does not use Triple DES encryption.

The BlackBerry implementation of Triple DES or AES, used in conjunction with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, is described in technical white papers that are available for download from the BlackBerry Web site in the following locations:

BlackBerry® Plug-in for Microsoft® Visual Studio®

The BlackBerry® Plug-in for Microsoft® Visual Studio® greatly simplifies wireless application development, deployment, and management for the enterprise. It allows enterprise developers and system integrators working within a .NET programming environment to leverage existing Microsoft® based developer tools to wirelessly enable applications for BlackBerry® smartphones, while still reaping the benefits of the BlackBerry® Mobile Data System (BlackBerry MDS). Since it plugs into an existing Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 development environment, it yields a familiar experience for .NET developers to create rich client applications for the BlackBerry platform. Moreover, it leverages the inherent security and managed wireless connectivity of the BlackBerry® Enterprise Solution, allowing developers to seamlessly connect to back-end enterprise systems using .NET Web Services. Also, it provides a framework of re-useable BlackBerry application components that simplifies user interface design, data management and wireless connectivity of rich-client applications. Applications developed using the BlackBerry Plug-in for Microsoft Visual Studio will leverage the same secure, push-based technology and scalable architecture of BlackBerry® Enterprise Server. IT departments benefit from this simplified management and centralized control of their wireless deployments.

Downloads

Download BlackBerry Plug-in for Microsoft Visual Studio
View documentation
View the Webcast