BlackBerry doubles down on secure communications

BlackBerry has shifted its business model entirely toward secure communications after selling its Cylance endpoint security platform to Arctic Wolf for $160 million in early 2025. The company now specializes in military-grade encryption and post-quantum cryptography to safeguard government and critical infrastructure from AI-driven cyber threats, including deepfake attacks and metadata exploitation by state-sponsored actors. The move follows rising concerns over vulnerabilities in widely used messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal, which prioritize end-to-end encryption for data but leave metadata exposed. BlackBerry’s solution adds an encryption layer over telecommunications or satellite networks, containerizing data and controlling metadata while verifying user identities. Jonathan Jackson, BlackBerry’s field chief information security officer for APAC, stated that free platforms monetize user data, making metadata a prime target for hackers. BlackBerry has strengthened its focus on the Asia-Pacific region, establishing a Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, in May 2024. The facility has trained over 9,000 professionals across ASEAN through partnerships with organizations like SANS, CompTIA, and EC-Council, conducting war-gaming simulations and red-teaming exercises. The company also participates in regional threat intelligence initiatives to enhance real-time cybersecurity cooperation. The shift aligns with BlackBerry’s earlier transformation from a smartphone manufacturer into a cybersecurity software provider. By eliminating non-core assets, the company now concentrates on sovereign-controlled secure communications, addressing gaps in current encryption standards for government and high-stakes operations. Jackson emphasized that relying on consumer-grade platforms like WhatsApp is no longer viable for secure governance or critical infrastructure.