BlackBerry: the history behind cybersecurity and embedded software

BlackBerry began in Canada in 1984 as Research In Motion, founded by Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin.

How BlackBerry developed

The company became globally known for secure mobile email and BlackBerry smartphones, but the rise of the iPhone and Android displaced its handset leadership. It adopted the BlackBerry corporate name in 2013 and progressively exited phone hardware to focus on software, cybersecurity and embedded systems.

BlackBerry in 2026

By 2026, BlackBerry’s business centred on enterprise security and software used in vehicles and other embedded systems rather than manufacturing smartphones.

Few technology histories show platform disruption as clearly: BlackBerry helped define the smartphone era, then had to reinvent itself after the software ecosystems of Apple and Google changed the market.

Information was checked against public company material, regulatory filings and reputable independent reporting where available, using sources accessible on 18 September 2026.