LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Today , the company takes advantage of the current growth opportunities in IoT and cybersecurity , and is pioneering the convergence of these two markets .

Under Chen ’ s leadership , BlackBerry recognised the challenges and intense competition in the mobile handset market . Chen made the strategic decision to shift the company ’ s focus away from handsets towards cybersecurity and enterprise software solutions . This shift allowed BlackBerry to leverage its expertise in mobile security and capitalise on emerging opportunities in the cybersecurity market .

Having begun to outsource some of its device manufacturing since 2013 , the company announced in 2016 that it would be leaving the smartphone manufacturing business .

To kickstart BlackBerry ’ s cybersecurity consultancy , Chen acquired Encription – a UK cybersecurity company – for an undisclosed amount in 2016 . He also acquired Cylance , a security software start-up that uses artificial intelligence to identify and disarm threats , for US $ 1.4bn in cash in February 2019 .

In 2022 , BlackBerry announced the end of an era with the decommissioning of its infrastructure and services used by its legacy software and phone operating systems . “ BlackBerry ushered in the mobile workforce and messaging revolutions that changed the world ,” Chen wrote in a blog post . “ The grandeur of our mission to make the world a better place has not changed .

“ Five years ago , we reinvented BlackBerry as a software company , allowing us to stay 100 % focused on providing enabling technologies to ensure the safety and security of all the devices and systems you rely on . We invested and invented our way to leadership positions in cybersecurity ,

20 July 2023