NEW YORK, May 1 (UPI) -- Verizon and communications software company Cellcrypt, have teamed to provide the U.S. government with secure mobile calling capabilities.
Under the strategic agreement, the companies will jointly market Cellcrypt's mobile voice-encryption solution to military, intelligence and civilian agencies to help government IT departments manage the expanding use of mobile devices, address the potential risks of communications interception and combat cyberattacks on national infrastructure.
"The threats posed by cyberattacks are real and increasingly focused on U.S. national security interests," said Janet Schijns, vice president of vertical solutions, Verizon Enterprise Solutions.
"By leveraging our combined strengths, Verizon and Cellcrypt will provide government agencies with an easy-to-deploy and interoperable mobile voice-encryption solution designed to maintain the security and integrity of sensitive communications."
The companies said the system is being tested with several government agencies and a co-branded service will be available this fall. The service will be supported on smartphones and tablets.
The downloadable software application, which supports federal information processing standard 140-2, will work across cellular, WiFi and satellite networks.
"As a matter of national security, military and government personnel must be able to communicate sensitive information over their mobile phones, and it is imperative that these conversations be protected from interception," said Kathleen Peters, Cellcrypt's general manager of the Americas and vice president of business development.
"The combination of our world-class encryption solution and Verizon's networks will enable both companies to help strengthen the government's ability to effectively combat cyber-security threats."
