PGP Adds Encryption To Windows Mobile Smartphones

PGP Corp. has introduced an encryption application that lets enterprise users protect all the data they carry around in their smartphones.

PGP Mobile encrypts Windows Mobile-based data automatically, but still allows mobile data to be shared securely with other mobile and desktop users. The new crypto app works as part of the enterprise-wide PGP Encryption Platform, which helps to reduce the expense of managing multiple vendors' encryption keys, users, policies, and reporting tools, PGP said in a statement.

"The availability of PC and handheld support from a single [encryption] vendor has finally become a buying condition," said John Girard, an analyst with Gartner, in a statement. "Buyers are looking for vendors that can support platforms large and small, with a similar look and feel, as well as provide common access and audit policies."

PGP Mobile encrypts individual files, entire data volumes, archives, or directories. Administrators can deploy PGP Mobile over the air, using the trusted key management and provisioning services of PGP Universal Server for setup. Users can share encrypted data with other smartphone and Windows users, even those without encryption software, using self-decrypting archives, PGP said.

The new app encrypts data without affecting mobile device performance, PGP said; it also can be used as a policy enforcement tool using Windows Active Directory.

PGP said that while business use of wireless handsets has increased in the last few years, the risk of losing sensitive data stored on those devices also has increased in parallel.

Worldwide sales of Windows Mobile smartphones reached 14.7 million devices in 2007, up 87% from 2006, according to Gartner Dataquest. In addition, the leading source of data breaches in the United States and the United Kingdom was the loss or theft of mobile devices, including smartphones, according to the Ponemon Institute. The cost of data breaches also averaged $197 per record, respectively, the institute found.

PGP Mobile is available now. Each seat of PGP Mobile requires a corresponding seat of PGP Universal Server also be present; Universal Server handles all enrollment and key management. While volume discounts may apply, per seat pricing for PGP Mobile 9.8 with Basic Maintenance is $50, and PGP Universal Server 2.8 with Basic Maintenance is $169.