BlackBerry takes a knock as cybersecurity revenue drop

Canada’s BlackBerry Ltd, on Tuesday reported a fall in cybersecurity revenue for the second quarter, as customers reined in spending due to an uncertain macroeconomic environment, sending its shares down about 3% in extended trading.

The company has also been facing tough competition from Microsoft Corp , Citrix Systems and International Business Machines in the security software segment, with revenue in the unit falling 7.5% to $111 million from a year ago.

The company said in an earnings call that cybersecurity segment revenue in the third quarter is expected to be flat year-on-year.

However, revenue at the company’s Internet of things (IoT) unit, which includes the QNX software for automotive customers, rose about 28% to $51 million as it signed up more customers.

BlackBerry’s QNX software is now embedded in over 215 million vehicles worldwide, helped by surging demand for electric vehicles and connected-car technologies. The company recently added global carmakers such as Ford Motor, General Motors, Hyundai Motor, to its already strong client list of BMW, Honda Motor, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota Motor. Reuters