CES 2015: BlackBerry unveils Internet of Things platform

LAS VEGAS: BlackBerry says it will use its expertise in secured messaging services to offer new ways for cars, home appliances and other devices to communicate with each other while keeping data secure and private. 

In the emerging field known as the Internet of Things, everyday products have sensors and internet connectivity so they can think for themselves and take action autonomously. The problem is that if the system isn't secure, hackers might fool a "smart'' door lock into opening, for instance. Or hackers might tap into a connected fitness tracker to obtain sensitive heath data. 

So BlackBerry is opening its data centers and other technologies to businesses needing such security. BlackBerry already is well regarded in corporate circles for providing security in phones, email and other messaging services. 

"We have a combination of knowledge, process and experience, which we combine to provide complete security,'' Sandeep Chennakeshu, president of Blackberry Technology Solution, said in an interview after Wednesday's announcement. 

He said customers would have complete control over data, including who gets access to which information. Someone might want to share a week's worth of heart-rate data with his or her doctor but not the insurance company, for example. What if the customer is a company? In the case of a car, the manufacturer would decide what data a mechanic or car insurer could see.