Belgium has started rolling out a new secure messaging application. The app that is called Beam will replace messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for official use by public sector workers.
Beam has been developed by the state-backed company Belgian Secure Communications (BSC). It will eventually be used by around 750,000 public sector employees and military personnel. The daily ‘Het Nieuwsblad’ reports that defence and intelligence staff have already begun using Beam. A wider rollout of the app is planned from next week.
The launch of the secure messing system places Belgium among a small group of European countries that are investing in so-called “sovereign communication systems”. These are designed to keep sensitive data within national boundies.
Previously, government officials commonly used mainstream messaging apps such as WhatsApp for both their professional and personal communication. However, concerns have been raised that such messaging apps could be acessed by foreign governments or could become compromised by spyware.
Beam has been developed to address these concerns. Access to the app is restricted to verified users thus reducing exposure to phishing. All the data from Beam is stored on secure servers that are located in Belgium rather than abroad.
The system is said to have has undergone extensive testing by ethical hackers and cybersecurity firms, none of which were able to breach the apps security.
The Director of BSC Brandon De Waele confirms that a phased rollout is taking place but declines to provide any technical details. Mr De Waele adds that the project has been developed in-house and within existing IT budgets.