Mobile security, especially with so many devices and platforms to support as a result of the "bring your own device" trend, consistently ranks among IT departments' top headaches. Samsung said that its solution provided "security hardening from the hardware through the application layer" through the use of integrity management services and Security Enhanced (SE) Android, developed by the U.S. National Security Agency. The company said its solution is compatible with mobile data management systems, virtual private networking and directory services.

Knox is being compared to a new enterprise feature that Blackberry highlighted when it launched its new BB10 platform in late January -- the ability to separate business from personal data on a mobile device. This kind of solution meets IT's needs, while allowing users to maintain their personal photos, e-mail and other info outside of IT's control.

'Harmony' Between Control, Satisfaction

Samsung said its separation uses SE Android and file-system-level encryption. Users can access the Knox container via a home screen icon, and therein access enterprise applications -- e-mail, a browser, contacts, calendar, file sharing, collaboration , CRM and business intelligence apps . With Knox, existing Android apps can automatically gain enterprise integration and validation, and Samsung said it allows companies to avoid developing individual enterprise features, such as FIPS compliant VPN, on-device encryption, Enterprise Single Sign On, Active Directory support and Smart Card-based multi-factor authentication.

JK Shin, president and head of Samsung's IT and Mobile Communications Division, said in a statement that businesses are "understandably" raising security and privacy issues as barriers to BYOD , while users want to use their own devices. He said that the Knox solution combines "the business and personal in a single device," achieving a "harmony between enterprise control and employee satisfaction." (continued...)

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