BlackBerry is in the news as the “weaponised” encrypted communications system of choice for politicised riot organisers, there is talk that the police and MI5 have called in GCHQ boffins to crack the encrytion on the BlackBerry RIM data network.  On the other side over in Downing Street they also use BlackBerrys. After the last government was blighted by missing laptops, data and even “honey trapped“ phones, Downing Street think they have come up with a solution to protect the BlackBerrys of top aides.

Everyone has to carry around not only their government communications network issued BlackBerry phone, but a BlackBerry Smart Card Reader too, with another SIM card in it. If the two are separated by more than ten metres or so, the Blackberry stops working. So if a pickpocket stole the BlackBerry, it would be useless. Carrying two units in your pockets is of course a little cumbersome and inconvenient. Unfortunately from a security point of view, the wonks and spinners have taken to just sello-taping the two of them back to back…