Mobiledia [2011-01-24] – Apple has hired former NSA analyst and author David Rice to be its new director of global security, in a move to beef up encryption on the iPhone and iPad and increase market share among enterprise consumers.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based company hasn’t announced Rice’s responsibilities, but people familiar with the matter say he will ramp up its enterprise products to better compete with rival Research in Motion, whose BlackBerry devices are well-known for their encryption services.

Apple has been busy developing backfills for its software shortcomings, and the high-profile addition of Rice adds further credibility as it continues to make inroads into the corporate segment. Many employees, who use or want to use the iPad, have been blocked by IT professionals that worry those devices could leak sensitive information.

Without a broader security push, Apple’s corporate future would be limited.

That’s where Rice comes in. Well-respected among IT professionals, he gives added credibility to Apple’s products.

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