BlackBerry might have stopped making hardware, but it remains a presence in mobile device software as it licenses its security technology to 3rd party hardware makers, most recently to Swiss CE maker Punkt Tronics.
The first such deal involving BlackBerry security technology was signed back in September 2017 with Chinese company NDT. The licensing program is known as BlackBerry Secure, and allows companies to leverage BlackBerry security credentials without hiding own branding. As a result, Punkt can now make a Punkt-branded devices that simply says "BlackBerry Secure" during startup.
BlackBerry says the security technology involves the signing and injection of encryption keys allowing the hardware and software to verify no tampering takes place. In addition the Linux Kernel acting as the base of Android is "hardened," and storage is fully encrypted. Finally BlackBerry adds apps allowing users to check the security of their phone.
Punkt is better known for Internet of Things (IoT) hardware, which is where the BlackBerry security technology will probably find use. However it has made one phone-- 2017's MP01, a minimalist feature phone complete with hardware buttons and a small monochrome display.
Go BlackBerry Securing IoT Devices in New Licensing Deal with Swiss Consumer Electronics Maker Punkt
