WhisperCore offers hacker-level encryption to enterprise

Android users can now get full smartphone encryption after security specialists Whisper Systems released the first beta of WhisperCore, a lock-down system designed for enterprises and prosumer users.

WhisperCore uses a passphrase to encrypt all data on the Android handset, and can store the data on a drive partition or removable SD card. The application should be ready for deployment in a couple of months, chief technology officer Moxie Marlinspike told V3.co.uk.

"The consumerisation within IT, where employees take in their own devices, makes life difficult for IT departments," he said.

"RIM and Symbian have enterprise solutions but they miss the private user. We can provide a solution to fill that need."

At present the software is designed for specific Android handsets, and pricing for enterprise buyers has yet to be decided. The recent Android security problems have highlighted failings in security on the platform, Marlinspike said.

Whisper Systems co-founder Marlinspike successfully subverted SSL, and is one of the breed of researchers trained in the hacking end of the business to improve internet security.

The organisation recently released open source code to allow Android users to encrypt voice calls and text messages, aimed specifically at Egyptian users. Other localised versions, and wider version of the code, could be available within days, Marlinspike said.