BlackBerry, Tata Power SED to jointly set up anti-espionage communication system for government

Canadian firm BlackBerry jointly with Tata Power's Strategic Engineering Division will develop an anti-espionage secret communication system for the government. BlackBerry will execute the project through its recently acquired German subsidiary, Secusmart, which specialises in high-security voice and data encryption and anti-eavesdropping solutions.

BlackBerry had earlier developed a security application for Vodafone. The company's solution was also selected by Germany's Federal Office for Information Security for classified communication by the country's highest public officials.

While details of the communications system were not immediately disclosed, BlackBerry and Tata Power have reportedly signed a term sheet, coinciding with German Chancellor Angela Merkel's official visit to India.

''In the era of increasing incidents of espionage in state establishments and corporates, with cyber security breaches and data theft, the envisaged association with BlackBerry will increase opportunities to accelerate innovation for high-end secure communication solutions,'' said Rahul Chaudhry, chief executive of Tata Power SED.

The Indian company has been developing defence systems for close to four decades.

Tata Power Company Limited through its Strategic Engineering Division (Tata Power SED) has been a leading private-sector player in the indigenous design, development, production, integration, supply and life-cycle support of mission critical defence systems of strategic importance.

Tata Power's share price ended the day 2.83 per cent higher at Rs69 on the BSE.