BlackBerry launches security consulting practice

BlackBerry Limited has launched a new Professional Cybersecurity Services practice to offer organizations new consulting services, tools and best practices.

The new practice will address strategic security; technical security; automotive and IoT security; and detection, testing and analysis.

As part of the new initiative, BlackBerry recently acquired UK-based Encription Limited, which brings years of cybersecurity consulting experience to the organization. The acquisition of Encription was completed last month.

Encription’s offers span both software security and hardware capabilities, as well as penetration testing – mimicking the techniques of malicious hackers to ensure organizations are aware of cyber risks posed by criminal hackers and how to address them.

Cybersecurity is a persistent and increasing business risk for organizations that depend on mobile endpoints that connect through networked and cloud-enabled platforms. It is estimated that data breaches currently cost the global economy more than $400 billion every year.

Some industry sectors, such as automotive, are being forced to grapple with cybersecurity threats for the first time as cars become more connected, intelligent and self-sufficient.

Cybersecurity consulting is currently estimated to be a $16.5 billion annual global business that is forecast to grow to $23 billion per annum by 2019.