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CeBIT: T-Systems showcases smartphone prototypes with voice encryption
Frankfurt am Main / Hanover, March 01, 2010
Data, software and operating system are already encrypted: Now T-Systems is integrating voice encryption into the next-generation of its highly secure solution for smartphones. The Deutsche Telekom subsidiary is unveiling prototypes of voice-encrypted SiMKo 2 – Secure Mobile Communication – at CeBIT. The solution is still undergoing development. T-Systems aims to launch the product later this year.
T-Systems has also honed its current models in terms of security. For instance, SiMKo 2 comes with a personal security concept for e-mail traffic and is based on an encryption and electronic-signature standard (S/MIME). As such, an e-mail is already encrypted as the text is input, with the recipient only able to read the message once they decode the e-mail using a key.
To coincide with CeBIT, T-Systems has extended its range of smartphone models, with its security experts tailoring SiMKo 2 to this new lineup. The HTC Touch Pro2 offers a large touchscreen as well as an easy-to-use fully fledged keyboard, while the HTC HD 2 features a high-resolution display with 10.9-cm screen diagonal and the HTC Snap comes with a landscape display, trackball and full keyboard. All smartphones run on Windows Mobile 6.5.
"We have managed to develop important voice-encryption functions, but still need to complete a few tests", says Stephan Maihoff, who is in charge of the security solution at T-Systems. "Our technology is cutting-edge so we want the Federal Office of Information Security (BSI) to certify the voice encryption." Last year, the BSI declared SiMKo 2 to be the "specific recommendation for use with security classification VS-NfD" (classified material - for official use only). This corresponds to the particular needs of security-sensitive units of the Federal Government and industrial companies. Maihoff: "We also want to include the new handsets straightaway into the BSI's recommendation for use."
Current encryption includes access to the customer infrastructure and transmitted data, the operating system and data stored on the PDAs. SiMKo 2 also works with a 'digital identity', in other words certificates generated by a trust center. The handsets used establish a direct connection to a government or corporate network, and hence to business applications, without any diversions through outside servers. Every connection is secured via a VPN tunnel. The user can access their PIM data (Personal Information Management), i.e. their calendar, e-mails, contacts, tasks, anytime and anywhere. The handset also provides secure access to the web and will run classic office programs.
T-Systems and the Procurement Agency of the Federal Ministry of the Interior concluded a framework agreement as recently as December 2009, enabling some 350 government organizations to use highly secure smartphones from the Deutsche Telekom subsidiary. Secure mobile communications in the government agencies will be rolled out gradually, with selected federal ministries and government agencies being among the first recipients.
About Deutsche Telekom AG
Deutsche Telekom is one of the world’s leading integrated telecommunications companies with over 150 million mobile customers, around 39 million fixed-network lines and approximately 17 million broadband lines (as of September 30, 2009). Its product brands are: T-Home (fixed-network telephony, broadband Internet), T-Mobile (mobile communications), and T-Systems (ICT solutions). As an international Group with approximately 260,000 employees operating in around 50 countries worldwide (as of September 30, 2009), Deutsche Telekom generated more than half of its revenue – EUR 61.6 billion – outside of Germany in 2008.
Further information is available on the Internet at: www.telekom.com.
About T-Systems
Drawing on a global infrastructure of data centers and networks, T-Systems operates information and communication technology (ICT) systems for multinational corporations and public sector institutions. T-Systems provides integrated solutions for the networked future of business and society. The company's some 46,000 employees combine industry expertise and ICT innovations to add significant value to customers’ core business all over the world. T-Systems generated revenue of around EUR 9.3 billion in the 2008 financial year.
Drawing on a global infrastructure of data centers and networks, T-Systems operates information and communication technology (ICT) systems for multinational corporations and public sector institutions. T-Systems provides integrated solutions for the networked future of business and society. The company's some 46,000 employees combine industry expertise and ICT innovations to add significant value to customers’ core business all over the world. T-Systems generated revenue of around EUR 9.3 billion in the 2008 financial year.
Media Contact:
Deutsche Telekom AG
Deutsche Telekom AG
Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 (0) 69 66531-126
E-mail: presse@telekom.de
Further information is available for journalists at www.telekom.com/media
