AWS scoops up encrypted messaging service Wickr
Sign of the times
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Amazon’scloud computingsubsidiary Amazon Web Services (AWS) has made a foray into theencrypted messagingspace with the acquisition of Wickr.
The decade-old Wickr platform offers end-to-end encryption across messaging,video conferencingandfile sharing, and is rated highly by privacy advocates and groups such as the Electronics Frontier Foundation (EFF).
“We’re excited to share that AWS has acquired Wickr, an innovative company that has developed the industry’s most secure, end-to-end encrypted, communication technology,” noted AWS VP and CISO, Stephen Schmidt.
About time
Encrypted communications have long been a regulatory requirement in sectors such as defense, but end-to-end encrypted platforms such as Wickr have now become a necessity for most enterprises, including small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
In theshort note announcing the acquisition, Schmidt hailed Wickr for managing to conform to regulatory requirements while extending the benefits of encrypted communications to its customers.
He reasons that the move towardshybrid workingenvironments has highlighted the need for a secure communications platform, and he is of the opinion that Wickr has what it takes to help meet the requirements of both the private and public sector entities.
“Wickr’s secure communications solutions help enterprises and government organizations adapt to this change in their workforces and is a welcome addition to the growing set ofcollaborationand productivity services that AWS offers customers and partners,” wrote Schmidt.
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While AWS did not disclose the terms of the deal, Schmidt noted that AWS will be offering Wickr services “effective immediately.”
With almost two decades of writing and reporting on Linux, Mayank Sharma would like everyone to think he’sTechRadar Pro’sexpert on the topic. Of course, he’s just as interested in other computing topics, particularly cybersecurity, cloud, containers, and coding.
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