Bittium to Deliver Smartphones and Related System for the Finnish Defence Forces

Finnish Defence Forces signed a contract with Bittium for the delivery of Bittium Tough Mobile LTE smartphones and related Bittium Secure Suite back-end system classified for Confidential level. The contract signifies a strategic decision to reinforce the information security of the wireless communications of the Finnish Defence Forces. Bittium Tough Mobile smartphones and the related back-end system will be used in different and diverse functions within the Finnish Defence Forces.

In order for a phone and a related back-end system to achieve the Confidential level classification, there are specific information security requirements regarding the processing of classified information, secure wireless transfer of files, and other possible communication, which need to be met.

Bittium Tough Mobile LTE smartphone and its back-end system designed for this classification level include features that have been hardened based on the Katakri 2015 requirements, such as, hardened operating system, hardened user identification, and data transfer.

In addition, the solution includes Digia Salpa, a mobile communications encryption product that provides strong encryption of both calls and messages. Katakri 2015 is a tool used by the Finnish authorities for security and information security audits.

Bittium Tough Mobile and its back-end system together with Digia Salpa are currently being tested by the National Cyber Security Centre Finland, operating under the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, for getting the approval for the national classification level Confidential.

Bittium Tough Mobile designed for the classification level Confidential has a unique dual-boot functionality that makes Bittium Tough Mobile a device with two completely separate operating modes, Public and Confidential. This enables both professional use with high-level information security and personal use, e.g. using social media applications, with the same device. The user himself can switch between the two different modes.

“Cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces has significantly contributed to the development and testing of Bittium Tough Mobile’s information security features. It is very important for us to be an active party in the implementation of Finland’s cyber strategy. In addition, the Finnish Defence Forces as our customer gives us a highly valued reference when marketing our systems internationally.“, says Jari Sankala, Senior Vice President of Defense & Security at Bittium.

“Bittium is a strategic partner to the Finnish Defence Forces, especially in supplying wireless communications solutions for normal conditions, when those conditions are disturbed, and for state of emergency. Bittium Tough Mobile terminal is planned to be used for enabling the command of all the statutory functions of the Finnish Defence Forces, in all states of alert, both in Finland and abroad.“, said Chief of C5, Brigadier General Mikko Heiskanen.

The contract has no significant impact on Bittium's net sales, operating result or financial standing, and it has also no effect on Bittium's financial outlook for the year 2016.

Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone includes several innovative features that have been designed for authorities and other professional uses where reliable and secure communication is needed. The Android-based device has a mechanical structure that is a combination of extreme durability and the usability of a modern and advanced smartphone. Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone incorporates a hardware-based security platform, global support for LTE frequencies, professional level audio features, and the possibility to use two different SIM cards.

Bittium Secure Suite is a device management and encryption software product that complements Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone with a scalable set of new software services for remote management, remote attestation and securing the network connections of the device. Bittium Tough Mobile smartphone and Bittium Secure Suite together form a unique and reliable system for processing and transferring encrypted and classified material, and securing critical communications.