Page 35 - FCW, April 2017

because they’re afraid of losing control. If they e-mail a file to an internal or external teammate, they have to hope that person doesn’t share it with somebody else. As a result, employees often hamper collabora- tion by claiming access to a document is restricted when it’s not.
However, as soon as agencies adopt tools to help employees share and yet retain control over documents, behavior starts to change and the silos start breaking down. That’s why BlackBerry Workspaces enables multi-OS synchronization and sharing. Users can easily access, sync, edit, share and control their files from any device. The Workspaces tool limits the risk for data loss or theft by embedding digital rights management into each file, so content re- mains secure and within your control even when it is shared outside your agency.
4. Embrace government-ready cloud solutions
As agencies explore the latest cloud technologies, they must look for trusted partners to provide seamless integration with their on-premises IT services and excellent user experience. Vendors should also provide the level of security govern- ment agencies demand without requiring significant trade-offs in productivity or user satisfaction.
Cloud-based unified endpoint man- agement can take some of the guesswork out of managing government-ready cloud solutions by incorporating enterprise mobility management, file sharing, and secure voice and emergency communi- cations. BlackBerry’s Enterprise Mobility Suite expands on those benefits; offering easy, out-of-the-box integration with exist- ing data repositories, collaboration suites, back-end applications, and cloud-based services. The suite follows consistent approach to endpoint management across
multiple platforms so agencies can effec- tively manage a growing fleet of devices while keeping government data secure.
5. Increase the value of BYOD with secure cross-platform apps and collaboration
Cross-platform applications to help employees securely share files no mat-
ter what device they are using and tools that facilitate real-time conversations with teammates promise to revolutionize the BYOD environment in government. Tablets and smartphones are loaded with private government apps, partner apps, public cloud apps and access to software- as-a-service. This increases the complexity of data access and the potential for loss. Application management solutions are es- sential to attaining the full value of BYOD and mobile technology while maintaining a high level of security.
BlackBerry Dynamics helps agencies separate personal and company data on employees’ devices, thereby protecting user privacy and government informa- tion at the same time. And Dynamics’ container-based software development kit helps agencies easily build secure apps and deploy them across their user base. Furthermore, the company’s Enterprise Mobility Suite supports multi-platform environments, so agencies can boost mo- rale and productivity by letting employees choose their devices.
6. Prepare for emergencies
Today’s emergency communications tech- nology helps agencies dramatically reduce the time it takes to alert and account for personnel in a crisis. By replacing manual, telephone-based notification processes with automated systems tied to users’ mobile devices, agencies can contact people imme- diately and better manage crisis situations.
BlackBerry’s AtHoc lets you create communities of internal and external stakeholders that include employees, first responders and neighboring organiza- tions. In an emergency, you can send a community-wide alert and quickly deter- mine whether employees are safe and who might be in a dangerous situation and in need of help.
Some agencies have taken hours to ac- count for every employee in an emergency. AtHoc has helped them do that account- ing in as little as 90 seconds. People at the scene can also share information with first responders—allowing a bomb expert, for example, to review a photo of a suspicious object while still en route to the site.
Choose the Right Vendor
Trust and credibility are critical for government agency operations. A com- pany’s ability to help customers meet security requirements in a flexible way
is also critical. BlackBerry conducts in-depth briefings with customers about the company’s security practices, quality assurance efforts and certifications. The moment agencies go beyond laptops and mobile phones to smart watches and other smart devices, the company will be there to manage, protect and secure those tools with new products or through strate- gic partnerships.
Transforming government from slow, tedious and manual processes and finding secure ways to untether employees from on-premises technology and boost col- laboration are essential to achieving the improvements in service delivery and pro- ductivity citizens and employees demand.
For more information, visit: us.blackberry.com
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