Silent Circle announced on Monday that it has started shipping its Blackphone 2, the first component of its Enterprise Privacy Platform (EPP) announced earlier this year.
The handset comes with enterprise-ready security capabilities, including full device encryption powered by its Android-based Silent OS, along with a personal Security Center that provides users with control over application permissions to keep personal and business data separated.
Available at $799, Blackphone 2 is powered by an Octa-core Qualcomm processor paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The device also comes with a microSD memory card slot, a 13-megapixel camera, and a 5.5-inch Gorilla Glass display.
The new device is ready for enterprise deployment and supports Google’s Android For Work program, as well as integration with Google’s suite of applications.
The Blackphone 2 has already been certified to work with existing Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems, such as MobileIron, Citrix, Good and SOTI, and arrives pre-loaded with Silent Circle’s private communication app called Silent Phone, which provides users with security and privacy features including encrypted, secure voice calls, conference calling and video conferencing, and secure text and file transfers.
The Enterprise Privacy Platform was announced as a unique, cloud-based combination of software, services and devices meant to provide increased privacy at every level of business over existing Internet connections.
Silent OS also includes vulnerability management, which the company says patches critical vulnerabilities within 72 hours of detection or reporting, with updates coming directly from Silent Circle, rather than carriers.
“Blackphone 2 combines an enhanced Android operating system with a suite of apps designed to keep your enterprise and personal information separate and private,” said Bill Conner, President and CEO of Silent Circle. “We’re proud to deliver a safe and sexy device with a seamless user experience.”
“People and enterprises want to take back control of their privacy but too often they don’t know how, or they feel they must compromise too much – that’s why the time is right for Blackphone 2,” Conner added.
In May 2014, Silent Circle announced that it had decided to move its global headquartersfrom the Caribbean island of Nevis to Switzerland, in order to take advantage of the country’s privacy laws.