President Obama Getting New High Security BlackBerry 8830

The Washington Times got the scoop today on President Obama's new BlackBerry. According to the Times:

"The top-secret BlackBerry 8830 is in the final stages of development by the National Security Agency, which will soon begin checking to make sure its encryption software meets federal standards. The device could be ready for use in the next few months.

Once in hand, the president will be able to send text and e-mail and make phone calls to others with the secure software loaded on their devices. Others expected to get secure BlackBerrys include top aides as well as first lady Michelle Obama."

As has been pointed out in other coverage, the security of the President's mobile device itself was only part of the controversy surrounding Mr. Obama's use of email. Check out my blog post from earlier this year ("No More Mobile Email for Obama?") for a short summary of the issues involved:

http://blog.proofpoint.com/2009/01/no-more-mobile-email-for-obama.html