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1.  

   Email policies are easy...

   

   Anonymous Coward, Jan 22nd, 2009 @ 5:55pm

   
   

   You know, creating rules around email is not that hard, esp. since BIS was designed to work in corporate environments like finance where things are heavily regulated.
   
   On top of that, BIS is also designed to work with Exchange, which has a ton of internal and addon capability for all kinds of retention profiles.
   
   The best thing about this, however, is that our Canadian friends will know all the private conversations the US president is having... Brilliant.
   
   That is, unless the software encrypts/decrypts email from/to BIS...

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2.  

   World Domination

   

   Canadian Guy, Jan 22nd, 2009 @ 6:27pm

   
   

   Yes. all the private Presidential emails will flow through servers in Canada where teams of eager Canadian hackers will pour over them seeking ways to finally complete what we tried to do in 1812-1814. Almost there...it has been a long wait.
   
   And to think, every thought we were just friendly folks from the Great White North.

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3.  

   Re: World Domination

   

   DOH, Jan 22nd, 2009 @ 6:50pm

   
   

   Yes, because as we all know, there is no way at all to encrypt email.

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4.  

   

   Anonymous Coward, Jan 22nd, 2009 @ 7:54pm

   
   

   Hello, my name is Barack Obama, husband of Michelle Obama and father of two, and I am the President of the United States. I have a business proposal that I believe will be good business for both you and me. I have recently uncovered a sum of 435 Billion USD (four-hundred and thirty-five billion United States Dollars) that until recently belonged to the American public but unfortunately he and all of his family have died in a tragic economic crash. If nobody claims this money soon, the US Government will seize it and give it as bailout money to rich CEOs. This will not be a good thing for either you or me, so I suggest that we prevent it. Since you are an American, you could convince the country that you are entitled to this money, which otherwise would be wasted.
   I agree that you and I will both get half of the money once our little proposal is completed. To begin, you should apply as the next-of-kin of the American public, to get the money. Before I can begin the transfer of the funds, you will need to pay a small registration fee of $50,000. If you want, I will arrange for this to be taken care of through an escrow service. Once you have paid the fee and the registration is secured, the $435 Billion will be released, which we can then split 50/50. Please contact me soon if you want to take up this offer, as the government may seize the funds quickly.
   
   [email protected]

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5.  

   Not a BlackBerry?

   

   Canuck, Jan 22nd, 2009 @ 7:59pm

   
   

   Is it just me or was the device they showed on CNN not even actually a BlackBerry? It seemed to be running a Windows OS and looked nothin' like the BB I know 'n love.

   I believe this is the device they were showing:

   http://www.gdc4s.com/content/detail.cfm?item=32640fd9-0213-4330-a742-55106fbaff32

   *sh rug* Not a BB but I'm sure RIM isn't concerned about all the free press they're getting.

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6.  

   Re: World Domination

   

   Lawrence D'Oliveiro, Jan 23rd, 2009 @ 12:08am

   
   

   DOH wrote:

   Yes, because as we all know, there is no way at all to encrypt email.

   Maybe, or maybe not.

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7.  

   

   Anonymous Coward, Jan 23rd, 2009 @ 1:15am

   
   

   Depends. What did they put on the Blackberry, and what constitutes "Super Encryption"? Whatever requirement they put on Blackberry communique, you have to assume will be similar IM communique requirement.
   
   First off, realize that it's be more difficult to get IM in the door than Blackberry, especially if a custom encryption was required... But don't fret. Just grease the wheels, but expect it to take a few months.
   
   IM packages to consider would be IBM Lotus Sametime, Office Communicator, or Cisco's Unified Communications Product line.
   
   I'd probably lean more towards the "Cisco" solutions. It'll be easier to get Cisco approved for DoD ITAR/DFARS, or if it needs custom encryption... Chances are Cisco is already approved too.

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8.  

   

   John Doe, Jan 23rd, 2009 @ 4:10am

   
   

   I wonder who and how they will decide what is personal and what isn't. So an email to his wife discussing national security matters could be personal or business?
   
   One more thing; the Blackberry Storm rules!

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9.  

   Not a Blackberry - Sectra Edge?

   

   MacLifer, Jan 23rd, 2009 @ 6:48am

   
   

   Apparently the Sectra Edge (I beleive it is Edge), just recently released, is the only wireless unit that has been approved by the NSA, as they gave all the design specs (re security) to the manufacturer. It's the only unit with official top-secret level security.
   
   That would in all likelihood be what the President is now using.

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10.  

    Sectera Edge

    

    MacLifer, Jan 23rd, 2009 @ 6:54am

    
    

    Sorry, I didn't realize an earlier link in comments pointed to the Edge already. I've seen it multiple times called "Sectra", and only finally saw it on their website for the first time and see it is "Sectera" Edge...
    
    Thanks for that link, Canuck!

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11.  

    Engadget disagrees

    

    Pangolin (profile), Jan 23rd, 2009 @ 9:55am

    
    

    http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/22/dear-mainstream-media-obamas-new-phone-isnt-a-blackberry-mig/

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12.  

    Re: Engadget disagrees

    

    Mike (profile), Jan 23rd, 2009 @ 4:37pm

    
    

    The only *official* statement from the White House clearly called it a Blackberry. It is entirely possible that the White House screwed up, but I'm going with the official statement for now.

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13.  

    

    Azeem Sajjad, Jan 28th, 2009 @ 9:51pm

    
    

    First of all, it is to make sure either it is Black Berry of some other device. So far as the phising is concerned it could not be avoided, if President is kept away of doing e-mail. Security of President of US is really a very sensitive issue and to keep secret his/her correspondance to be hacked as big responsibility comes with great power. This is what you have to pay for fame and power.

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14.  

    Good for him

    

    Cheap Blackberry, Jul 3rd, 2009 @ 9:58pm

    
    

    cus i dont know what Id do without mine

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