Samsung Electronics has today announced that the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) has released an updated Security Configuration Guidance that includes a range of new Samsung Galaxy devices which can now be used by Australian government departments and Critical Infrastructure agencies.

Devices listed in the new Security Configuration Guidance include the Galaxy S20 FE, S20 FE 5G, Note20 and Note20 5G. The devices have been included in the updated Security Configuration Guidance based on stringent testing and assessments undertaken by the ASD and provide guidance for the use of these Samsung mobile devices in “Sensitive” and “Protected” deployments. The Guidance opens the opportunity for government departments and agencies to utilise some of Samsung’s latest in mobile innovation as part of the operations.

The announcement follows the Australian Signals Directorate’s Cryptographic Evaluation (ACE) level certification of the Galaxy S9 and S9+ models in 2019, which became the first Android devices to be approved for Australian government use at “Protected” level. The ACE program determines the strength and effectiveness of device security architecture.

Garry McGregor, Vice President of IT and Mobile, Samsung Electronics Australia said: “Samsung devices are designed to provide a safe and secure operating platform for use in a wide range of conditions and under stringent environments,”

“This latest Configuration Guidance from the ASD opens the opportunity for a wider range of our Galaxy devices to be utilised within some of the most demanding Government departments and scenarios. We look forward to building our relationship with the Australian Government by delivering the very best in Samsung mobile innovation and security.”

A key aspect of the testing and approval of Samsung devices for use by the government is based on the Galaxy device Knox platform which can be tailored to support organisations with incredibly high security protocols at a hardware and software level.

“Our heritage in device hardware and solution innovation, supported by the Samsung Knox platform, means we set the highest bar for our customers. Samsung’s Knox system was specifically built to provide an additional layer of protection for mobile handsets on top of the Android operating system, at both hardware and software levels.” McGregor added.

ASD testing includes patching applications and operating systems, configuration of Microsoft Office macro settings, user application hardening, restricting administrative privileges, and multi-factor authentication.

Samsung Electronics provides a range of customisable and tailored solutions for business, enterprise, and government customers in Australia and overseas. Globally, Samsung mobility solutions are utilised by government departments in many countries including, the USA, United Kingdom, and European Union.

Samsung Electronics Australia has today announced that the Galaxy S9 and S9+ range of mobile devices have been granted protected-level certification by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).

The certification means that the Galaxy S9 and S9+ devices, featuring Samsung’s security platform Knox, meet the stringent Australian Government security standards to host the protected-level communications, information, and datasets of government agencies.

Based on the successful evaluation, government agencies are now assured that local Australian variants of the Galaxy S9 and S9+ meet the Australian Government security requirements to host protected information when used with the security configuration guidance published on the ASD ACSC website*.

Garry McGregor, Vice President of IT and Mobile, Samsung Electronics Australia said: “Receiving the protected-level certification for this range of devices is a significant milestone and testament to the security standards that we can provide users in Government departments.”

“From a hardware and software level, security is embedded into our devices and is a core pillar for how we ensure that our customers can operate our smartphones with confidence and with the option to scale their security protocols based on the needs of their workplace.”

In order to obtain the certification, the Samsung devices were evaluated under the ASD Cryptographic Evaluation (ACE) program, which tested the strength and effectiveness of the security architecture and cryptographic algorithms. The evaluation also assessed the implementation of the Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), secure encryption key generation and secure certificate generation.

“Samsung is committed to working with Australian organisations to ensure that our devices can provide the best possible levels of functionality as well as security.” McGregor added.

The certification from the ASD highlights the strength of Samsung’s Knox platform and functionality that is embedded within all Galaxy S9 and S9+ devices, as well as the wider Samsung portfolio. The Knox platform is built into devices at both the hardware and software levels.

* https://www.cyber.gov.au/publications/epl/samsung-galaxy-s9-sm-g960f-s9-sm-g965f-knox-30

Further information on the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) certification:

https://www.cyber.gov.au/irap/certified-services

https://www.cyber.gov.au/programs/asd-cryptographic-evaluation-program