In this talk, I will introduce some of the security-specific features of the BlackBerry 7 operating system. These features include the system architecture, signing framework, permission model, and storage of data. I will also introduce security-specific features of QNX, which is the operating system behind the BlackBerry PlayBook. The features of QNX include PPS, application capabilities, and process abilities. After discussing each of the platforms, as well as other areas of security at RIM, I will introduce a number of areas which pose interesting research problems. These research areas are designed to spur discussion, ideas, and potentially further research contributions by the community. There will be ample time for technical questions during and after the talk.

Glenn Wurster (http://wurster.ca/glenn/index.php) completed his Ph.D. in computer science (2010) at Carleton University under the direction of Paul C. van Oorschot. His current interests include software security, operating systems, web security, and usable security. He currently works for Research in Motion as a Security Researcher. His duties include research in software security, internal consulting with project teams, developer education, and performing security assessments.