Systems Reinforce Wireless Information Security
As part of a strategic effort to reinforce information security in its wireless communications, the Finnish Defence Forces have contracted Bittium to deliver its TOUGH MOBILE LTE smartphone and the associated SECURE SUITE back-end system, classified to Confidential level.
In order for a phone and a related back-end system to achieve the Confidential level classification, there are specific information security requirements regarding the processing of classified information, secure wireless transfer of files, and other possible communication, which need to be met. The Bittium TOUGH MOBILE LTE smartphone and its back-end system designed for this classification level include features that have been hardened based on the Katakri 2015 requirements, such as a hardened operating system, hardened user identification, and data transfer. In addition, the solution includes DIGIA SALPA, a mobile communications encryption product that provides strong encryption of both calls and messages. Katakri 2015 is a tool used by the Finnish authorities for security and information security audits. Bittium TOUGH MOBILE and its back-end system together with DIGIA SALPA are currently being tested by the National Cyber Security Centre Finland, operating under the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority.
TOUGH MOBILE has a unique dual-boot functionality that makes it a device with two completely separate operating modes, Public and Confidential. This enables both professional use with high-level information security and personal use, e.g. using social media applications, with the same device. The user himself can switch between the two different modes.
“Cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces has significantly contributed to the development and testing of Bittium TOUGH MOBILE’s information security features”, says Jari Sankala, Senior Vice President of Defence & Security at Bittium.
Chief of C5, Brig.-Gen. Mikko Heiskanen, adds ”Bittium is a strategic partner to the Finnish Defence Forces, especially in supplying wireless communications solutions for normal conditions, when those conditions are disturbed, and for state of emergency. Bittium TOUGH MOBILE terminal is planned to be used for enabling the command of all the statutory functions of the Finnish Defence Forces, in all states of alert, both in Finland and abroad.”
