Samsung Electronics today announced that Samsung Knox Native Solution, a platform that enables fast and easily accessible secure communications tailored for governmental authorities and enterprises, has received certification from the Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI), also known as the German Federal Office for Information Security. Developed in close collaboration with the BSI, the Knox Native Solution creates a dedicated, secure environment on mobile devices, delivering fortified security to meet extremely rigorous requirements. With certifications from numerous government bodies worldwide — including Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States — Samsung continues to establish itself as a global leader in cybersecurity solutions.

Achieving official recognition for government use from a leading European security authority marks a significant milestone for the Knox Native Solution and reinforces Samsung’s trusted role in delivering secure, integrated solutions that meet the high standards for government and enterprise use. This certification also reinforces Knox Native Solution as a globally relevant model for organizations, including in key industries like energy infrastructure or public transportation, or those seeking robust, reliable and ready-to-deploy security for optimized mobile communications.

Security Developed in Collaboration With the BSI

Previously, achieving government-grade secure mobile communication on Android-based devices often required the use of external SD cards, additional software and multiple PINs, resulting in a cumbersome manual process with high costs and prolonged approval cycles for security solutions. Any updates to third-party security solutions would require the entire device to undergo re-certification, adding further complexity to the process. To address these challenges, Samsung collaborated with the BSI, which is recognized as the leading authority for security policies and certifications across Europe and key global industries. Together, they developed a pre-configured, government-grade setup that aligns with Germany’s rigorous security standards and sets the standard for secure devices and solutions worldwide.

This innovative platform incorporates advanced features, including the embedded Secure Element (eSE),¹ which integrates the BSI Java Card Applet and is certified at the industry-leading Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level (CC EAL) 6+. With eSE, Knox Native Solution establishes a dedicated security zone within the device, helping to ensure data integrity, real-time threat protection and encrypted storage for sensitive communication channels. This platform doesn’t require third-party applications or add-ons, enabling a tamper-resistant security environment for core functions like email, calendar and contacts — all built directly into the device.

Seamless and Secure Mobile Experiences

Knox Native Solution continues to cement the new industry standard for mobile security, making Samsung Galaxy devices the first within the Android ecosystem to successfully meet the strict security standards of the BSI utilizing eSE. Knox Native Solution enables organizations to deploy secure devices with minimal steps, eliminating the need for complex setups while ensuring high security standards. Using Samsung Knox’s built-in protections for data-at-rest, data-in-use and data-in-transit, this solution preserves a streamlined user experience without compromising security. A single PIN activation covers a wide range of work scenarios, and company-owned apps integrate seamlessly through the Knox Native Solution SDK, making advanced security feel effortless for users and administrators alike.

Knox Native Solution reimagines security evaluation processes on Samsung Galaxy devices for government and enterprise in Germany, requiring only newly updated apps to be reviewed and approved — empowering users with cost-efficient and optimized mobile solutions. By simplifying development and evaluation with pre-approved security features, Knox Native Solution enables even large device fleets with high security standards to be managed efficiently through Knox Suite, providing enterprises with centralized control over their security needs. As an established and trusted provider of secure mobile solutions to German government entities, Samsung remains committed to delivering robust and seamless mobile security for organizations worldwide.

Continued Trust in a Hyper-Connected World

This BSI certification stands as a testament to Samsung’s ability to meet top-tier government standards, exemplifying how enterprises and governments around the world can adopt secure, integrated mobile solutions. Building on this success in Germany, Samsung plans to expand the availability of Knox Native Solution to other regions, reinforcing its role as a global leader in secure, hyperconnected mobile ecosystems.

“We are honored to receive this certification from the BSI as proof of our commitment to meeting rigorous security standards and providing fortified mobile security solutions to a growing list of governments and enterprises worldwide,” said Tuncay Sandikci, Director of MX B2B at Samsung Electronics Germany. “In an increasingly hyperconnected world, we remain dedicated to empowering all users with secure, privacy-driven experiences that put transparency and user choice at the forefront.”

For more information about Samsung Knox, please visit samsungknox.com.

¹ Galaxy S23 (all models), Galaxy S24 (all models), Galaxy Tab S8+ (German only) and Galaxy XCover6 Pro include the embedded Secure Element (eSE). Samsung plans to use eSE embedded devices for approved Knox Matrix security features and to continue to expand to additional models in the future.

Samsung Electronics announced the enhancement of its Mobile Security Rewards Program, increasing the maximum reward amount to $1 million for eligible security vulnerability reports received from the external security community. This is part of Samsung’s ongoing efforts to foster transparency and increased collaboration in mobile security, with the criteria of the program laid out in the Samsung Mobile Security Risk Classification, which now includes additional classification factors.

Alongside this, Samsung has also published its first security-focused Annual Rewards Program Report, showcasing the most significant highlights since the project’s launch and emphasizing the crucial role of the program’s participants. The Mobile Security Rewards Program complements Samsung’s current offering of up to seven years of security updates,¹ highlighting the company’s commitment to user device safety.

“With cybersecurity attacks becoming increasingly intelligent and more challenging to identify, we actively encourage participation from the security community in finding these threats,” said Justin Choi, Corporate VP & Head of Security Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Their support helps us to ensure our products are continuously monitored for potential vulnerabilities, enabling us to constantly enhance the protection of our customers. It is critically important that this protection is provided and that user data and information are safeguarded, which is why we prioritize security throughout all our products and services.”

Originally launched in 2017, the program embodies Samsung’s commitment to openness and a collective approach to enhancing mobile security. By collaborating with a wide range of global experts — including cybersecurity researchers, ethical hackers and independent security professionals — the program follows a strategic, systematic and proactive strategy to identify and address vulnerabilities, reinforcing the security of users’ mobile experiences.

The maximum reward of $1 million is part of the newly introduced Important Scenario Vulnerability Program. This initiative focuses on the most severe attack scenarios and vulnerabilities, including arbitrary code execution on highly privileged targets; device unlock and full user data extraction; arbitrary application installations; and bypass of device protection solutions. Partnering with the security community not only reinforces Samsung’s dedication toward a transparent, collaborative framework that continuously adapts to emerging risks, but also speeds up the detection and resolution of these potential critical threats.

Increased Transparency of Rewards Program Criteria

Samsung Mobile Security Risk Classification now offers a more detailed and publicly accessible system for categorizing vulnerabilities, incorporating new considerations such as downgrade factors, which allow a threat’s severity level to be lowered, and an ineligible classification, for threats determined to pose minimal security concerns. The system assigns severity levels based on security risk and impact across five categories: Critical, High, Moderate, Low, and Ineligible or Less-Than-Low Security Impact. This comprehensive approach provides clear guidance for both participants and the broader security community, offering a more structured framework for vulnerability reporting. Additionally, it outlines the conditions affecting the reward qualification and amount.

The program covers all of Samsung’s mobile devices currently receiving monthly, quarterly and biannual security updates. In addition, the program will reward eligible submissions for potential vulnerabilities in the latest Samsung Galaxy services, including Bixby, Samsung Account and Samsung Wallet, among others.

Samsung Releases Inaugural Program Report

In August 2024, Samsung published its first security-focused Annual Rewards Program Report, summarizing the most significant highlights since the project’s launch in 2017. Highlights include the awarding of over $800,000 to 113 researchers in 2023 alone and a total of more than $4 million in rewards paid out by Samsung to security experts around the world to date, underscoring the crucial role of the program’s participants.

The Mobile Security Rewards Program is effective immediately. For additional information, including terms and conditions, please visit the Samsung Mobile Security page.

¹ Timing and availability of security maintenance releases for Samsung Galaxy devices may vary by market, network provider and/or model.

The implementation of this secure high-speed network, initiated by the French government, aims to modernize emergency and homeland security forces communications. To enable them to benefit from a wide range of multimedia services, Samsung and Airbus will work closely together to equip around 400,000 users with Samsung’s ruggedized mobile devices — the Galaxy XCover6 Pro smartphones and Galaxy Tab Active3 tablets.

Samsung’s ruggedized devices are designed to withstand the harshest environments and are especially suited for the needs of national police, fire departments and civil security. In addition, a standardized fleet of devices will promote synergies and real-time collaboration between users and simplify maintenance, software updates and device security.

This partnership strengthens Samsung’s position as a key player in mobile security, placing high-end technology at the service of national sovereignty.

“We would like to thank Airbus for selecting Samsung as a trusted partner for this critical project,” said Frédéric Fauchère, Director of the BtoB Mobile Experience Division at Samsung Electronics France. “The innovation, quality and resistance of our ruggedized mobile devices were all criteria of choice for Airbus. We are proud to have the opportunity to put our technology at the service of the communication means of the French security and rescue forces.”

“To be selected to work on such a significant and critical service is an honor that we take seriously,” said KC Choi, EVP and Head of Global Mobile B2B Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “We have spent years building our devices to deliver the best in design, security, functionality, durability and are excited to see these ruggedized devices become a part of major projects like the Radio Network of the Future.”

Eric Davalo, Director of Sales & Programs Europe at Airbus SLC said: “Security is a particularly demanding field and Samsung Electronics has established itself as the partner offering the leading technology (smartphones and tablets) perfectly adapted to the critical interventions of security and rescue forces. This partnership with Samsung Electronics creates new opportunities to provide them with cutting-edge innovations.”

This press release is available on Samsung France Newsroom: https://news.samsung.com/fr/samsung-airbus-rrf.

For more information, about Samsung’s latest Galaxy devices please visit news.samsung.com/galaxy, www.samsungmobilepress.com or www.samsung.com/business.

Not only does it encrypt your personal data, but the Samsung Knox Vault processor keeps your important information secure, including sensitive information linked to services like Samsung Pay. Any data saved on Samsung Knox Vault storage is isolated from the main operating system for even further protection. Not only is your data secure, it is also protected against a variety of attacks including voltage, temperatures and laser attacks.

Check out the video below to learn more about how Samsung Knox Vault protects your most important information.

¹ While currently available only on the Galaxy S21 series, Samsung Knox Vault may come to other Galaxy devices in the future.

Leading the Way in Mobile Security

Samsung prides itself in offering unmatched security to its users with Samsung Knox, its defense-grade security platform and cutting-edge technologies such as the industry’s strongest security chip, the embedded Secure Element (eSE);² a Secure Processor to protect against physical attacks; and the recently introduced Knox Vault, which adds another layer of security. As one of the few companies to design and develop its own products, software and services, Samsung offers true end-to-end protection, from the moment new product planning begins until a product is retired. By embedding security across every single layer of its devices, from the chip all the way up to the apps, Samsung can protect personal information in real-time and preemptively respond to increasingly advanced mobile threats.

“At Samsung, our number one priority is offering the best and most secure mobile experience to our users, and we’re constantly optimizing the security of our products and services,” said Seungwon Shin, VP & Head of Security Team at Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “Mobile devices play such an important role in our lives, it’s only natural that we want to hold onto them longer. That’s why, thanks to the latest technology advancements, we’re committing to securing Galaxy devices for even longer, so that everything that should be kept protected stays protected.”

Securing Over 130 Models

Over the past decade, Samsung has made significant progress in streamlining and speeding up its regular security updates. Samsung worked closely with its OS and chipset partners, as well as over 200 carriers around the world to ensure that billions of Galaxy devices receive timely security patches. Samsung remains committed to offering security updates as quickly as possible to always stay one step ahead and keep its users safe.

A Collaborative Approach to Mobile Security

Samsung believes openness and collaboration are critical to offering the best mobile experiences that people can trust. Samsung has worked closely with over 1,000 partners to establish security standards for all Android devices, including the first-of-its-kind regular security update program in 2015, and partnered with the broader security research community to ensure consumers have the most secure mobile experience possible.

Eligible Galaxy Devices Include:³

• Galaxy Foldable devices: Fold, Fold 5G, Z Fold2, Z Fold2 5G, Z Flip, Z Flip 5G
• Galaxy S series: S10, S10+, S10e, S10 5G, S10 Lite, S20, S20 5G, S20+, S20+ 5G, S20 Ultra, S20 Ultra 5G, S20 FE, S20 FE 5G, S21 5G, S21+ 5G, S21 Ultra 5G
• Galaxy Note series: Note10, Note10 5G, Note10+, Note10+ 5G, Note10 Lite, Note20, Note20 5G, Note20 Ultra, Note20 Ultra 5G
• Galaxy A series: A10, A10e, A10s, A20, A20s, A30, A30s, A40, A50, A50s, A60, A70, A70s, A80, A90 5G, A11, A21, A21s, A31, A41, A51, A51 5G, A71, A71 5G, A02s, A12, A32 5G, A42 5G
• Galaxy M series: M10s, M20, M30, M30s, M40, M11, M12, M21, M31, M31s, M51
• Galaxy XCover series: XCover4s, XCover FieldPro, XCover Pro
• Galaxy Tab series: Tab Active Pro, Tab Active3, Tab A 8 (2019), Tab A with S Pen, Tab A 8.4 (2020), Tab A7, Tab S5e, Tab S6, Tab S6 5G, Tab S6 Lite, Tab S7, Tab S7+

For more information about Samsung software updates and Galaxy devices including specifications, please visit news.samsung.com/galaxy, www.samsungmobilepress.com or www.samsung.com/galaxy.

¹ This release was updated on March 9, 2021 to provide further clarity on the release schedule. For further details, please refer to Samsung Mobile “Security Updates” https://security.samsungmobile.com/workScope.smsb

² The eSE earned an ‘EAL 6+’ rating, the highest rating among security chips for mobile devices, under the Common Criteria.

³ Availability of security updates may vary by device and market. The lists of security update models are subject to change and will be reviewed on a periodic basis.

Luckily, you don’t need to be an expert to stay safe in our connected world. Check out the quiz below to see if you have the basics covered.

“As a leading provider of mobile devices and experiences, Samsung recognizes the importance of protecting users’ data and information, and prioritizes security in the development of each of its products and services,” said Injong Rhee Executive Vice President and Head of R&D, Software and Services of the Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “As part of our commitment to security, Samsung is proud to work in close partnership with the security research community to ensure that all of our products are monitored closely and continually for any potential vulnerabilities.”

Samsung’s Commitment to Mobile Security

Samsung’s Mobile Security Rewards program is the latest initiative to demonstrate the company’s steadfast commitment to enabling secure experiences for all its customers. The rewards program kicked off with a pilot in January 2016 to ensure an efficient and productive public introduction to the broader security community.

Additionally, since October 2015 Samsung has been releasing monthly security updates for its flagship devices. This industry-leading pace of updates would not be possible without the cooperation and assistance of security researchers across the globe.

Mobile Security Rewards Program Details

The program will cover all of Samsung’s mobile devices currently receiving monthly and quarterly security updates, a total of 38 devices*. In addition, the program will reward submissions for potential vulnerabilities in the latest Samsung Mobile Services, including Bixby, Samsung Account, Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass, among others. Dependent upon the severity of a given submission, as well as the researcher’s ability to provide proof of concept, Samsung will issue rewards of up to $200,000.

The Mobile Security Rewards Program is effective immediately. For additional information, including terms and conditions, please visit the Samsung Mobile Security page.

* The number of devices receiving monthly and quarterly updates may vary by market or region.

Understanding the importance mobile phones and devices hold work, home and on-the-go, Samsung Knox is the security platform for how people really live. From the very moment the device is turned on, Knox continually serves to protect its integrity as well as the personal and professional information stored on it. Inherent to the device itself; Knox protects us day and night.

Comprised of the Samsung Knox platform, products and solutions, Knox’s built-in security is two-fold. The platform begins in the device chipset itself and extends through every single layer of a Samsung device, including the operating system and application layers. The platform ensures Samsung devices have overlapping defense and security mechanisms that protect against intrusion, malware, viruses and many more malicious threats.

Complete Protection in any Environment

Today’s mobile lifestyle allows us to function in ways that best suits our needs. Modern mobile professionals crave a device that operates across their professional and personal lives and they demand high-level security that protects them no matter what. With work and play blending together more often, important apps, information and messages for both personal and corporate life are mixed together on a single phone. This increases the opportunity for unwanted outsiders to access sensitive data such as email, contacts, photos, account information and more.

Samsung Knox makes a modern mobile lifestyle possible by allowing the separation of professional information from personal on the same device through Secure Folder. Secure Folder uses Knox container technology to provide a secure space separate from other apps, messages and information creating an additional layer of security.

Potential Mobile Threats are Constantly Looming

Life moves fast. Every minute of every day, potential threats loom, and for many users, mobile security might not always be top of mind, leaving data and personal information open and susceptible to risk.

The adoption of mobile lifestyles has increased the use of public Wi-Fi. A 2016 study from the Pew Research Center found that 54 percent of American internet users log on through public Wi-Fi networks, primarily to use email and social media. A common misconception facing mobile users is the assumption that public Wi-Fi is safe, especially at trusted establishments like popular coffee shops, hotels and airports. While convenient, connecting to public portals can make mobile devices susceptible to security breaches, and expose personal and business information to risk.

Samsung Knox’s security platform builds a digital fortress around your mobile device, shielding sensitive information from unwarranted visitors and malware attacks so that you can get your much-needed coffee and headlines uninterrupted.

Samsung Knox Protects Your Personal Digital Payments

Digital payments have become standard in today’s mobile world. Without the right security, making transactions on-the-go can put your most sensitive financial information at risk. When using mobile payment services such as Samsung Pay, Samsung Knox brings additional defenses against would be attackers directly to your phone. Through constant monitoring, Knox ensures your card information is encrypted in a separate and secure data vault at all times.

The easiest way for unauthorized access to data is through passwords, meaning simple internet browsing can put your data at risk with poor password practices. The same study from Pew Research Center found that most Americans use and re-use simple passwords that are easy to memorize but are therefore easier to hack. Password management programs like Samsung Pass provide a simple and secure ‘identity management as-a-service’, which enables secure internet access through biometric authentication. Samsung Knox is there to ensure that your biometric data is encrypted and kept intact, allowing users to use their biometric information to browse the web with confidence. *

Samsung Knox at Work

Samsung Knox works just as well for business use. From banking, sales, education and healthcare, to taxi services, advanced computing, airline and automotive industries – all types of businesses are taking advantage of Samsung Knox to deliver better solutions and customer service while keeping the integrity of their – and their customers’ –  data intact.

As businesses continue to adopt mobile technology to simplify operations and increase efficiency, security has become more important than ever. The Samsung Knox platform provides multi-layered protection that isolates and encrypts corporate data through on-device encryption, and constantly monitors device integrity.

Samsung Knox goes beyond protecting critical corporate information. With Knox Configure, organizations can completely customize and tailor a mobile experience that suits the environment for which devices are destined. It provides IT managers with configuration, application deployment and UI/UX customization capabilities as well as remote bulk device enrollment and provisioning services, putting them in complete control of their mobile solution from start to finish.

Samsung Knox was Designed for Life

Today’s world moves at a fast pace and requires us to keep up. Sometimes we get caught in the moment and security becomes an afterthought – that’s why we created Samsung Knox. For those inevitable moments of vulnerability and insecurity that life brings our way, Knox is working so you can focus on the issues that matter most.

* Available functions, features, and compatible applications for Samsung Pass may vary from country to country.

As a result, leading mobile device manufacturers are beginning to integrate security features, such as two-factor biometric authentication to make devices more secure for their users.

Samsung Electronics is one of these mobile solution providers. The company is using fingerprint or iris scans for optimum security in their new devices. With this identity security technology, you literally become your password. These elements are extremely helpful pieces of a complete security chain, designed to protect a user’s identity and critical personal and financial information.

The Demand for Tougher Protection

While passwords remain the most popular form of identity protection, if users aren’t careful, they can be exploited. Often, individuals maintain poor security practices, such as reusing passwords, choosing weak ones and sharing them with others. It’s also not uncommon for people to divulge their passwords over email or phone calls, increasing the risks of compromised security.

At the same time, password can be compromised via social engineering, with fraudulent phone calls or phishing emails being two of the most common forms.  Passwords are also easier to exploit remotely, making a hacker’s job simpler.

As I’ve written before, this all points to the need for a new mobile security paradigm, one based on hardware-based multifactor authentication and biometric security.

Biometrics Unlocks New Functionality

Biometric security has been used in the mobile industry as far back as 2011, when leading mobile device manufacturers brought fingerprint technology into the mainstream. Since that time, biometric technology has changed the experience and daily life of the mobile user. While at first, fingerprint technologies were a way to unlock devices, today they are becoming integrated seamlessly into mobile platforms and services. The mobile payment service, Samsung Pay, is a good example.

And while the technology behind fingerprint authentication and biometrics is important, the functionality and benefits to users has been equally critical to its continued uptake.

Iris Scanning can Enhance Security and Improve Ease of Use

Simultaneously, iris scanning continues to gain popularity. Using the human eye to unlock doors or access devices was formally reserved for movies, but thanks to the miniaturization of technology, iris scanning is quickly bringing enhanced security to consumers. In fact, according to research findings, iris recognition technology is expected to grow by more than 20 percent between now and 2020.

Because the human iris is so complex, it’s the most difficult to accurately replicate, making the iris scan among the most secure technologies. Accurate iris scanning recognizes 266 unique traits, while fingerprint scanning recognizes only 40, making it more rigorous than fingerprint authentication – currently the most popular form of biometric authentication.

And because iris scanning only requires a user to look at the device, it’s also simple and user friendly. While biometric authentication helps improve device security, it also helps improve usability by decreasing the time to unlock and helping to eliminate passwords.

Today’s Iris Scanning Challenges

While iris scan technologies may provide more uniquely identifying data, there are still some challenges. First and foremost, it needs to work as well, or better, than current fingerprint technology. People expect biometric authentication to be quick and painless.  If it isn’t, they won’t use it.

Iris scanning technologies must also be able to work alongside other biometric technologies for added security. People also need to be able to trust iris scanning technologies, which means the biometric data needs to be securely stored and verifiably as safe as other biometric alternatives.

Iris scans also suffer from the same issues that other forms of biometric authentication do in that they rely on application developers and operating systems to enable biometric authentication outside of just unlocking the device. Leading smartphone companies like Samsung are well positioned to advance the use of new biometric technology like iris scanning and have the infrastructure that allows users utilize their biometric data for more than just unlocking a phone.

Iris Scanning Evolves with the Latest Devices

I used iris scanning on the Samsung Galaxy Note7 and was impressed by its speed and ease of use. Much like a fingerprint scanner, it is responsive and offers a level of security that provides peace of mind without hampering the general use of the phone. The functionality and freedom thanks to the Note7’s biometric security were also positives. The device allows for different levels of security depending on the sensitivity of the data and application. Users can login either via iris scan or fingerprint scan. Samsung’s mobile enterprise platform Knox Workspace also allows for multi-factor authentication with a password, pin or pattern when combined with an iris scan or fingerprint.

The Note7’s iris scanning capability could be more secure than previous generations thanks to the increased points of comparison and difficulty of spoofing as well as lower false acceptance rates.

In short, Samsung with the new Galaxy Note7 with Knox, could completely change mobile security as we know it. It has the potential to shift the landscape and help introduce a new generation of more secure mobile devices. It could also influence the uptake of iris scanning technology as a new global standard of mobile security.

*The views expressed in this editorial are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of Samsung Electronics.

**All functionality features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

The Galaxy Note7 is a smartphone that lets users do more. Equipped with Knox 2.7, the latest version of Samsung’s mobile security solution, the device boasts numerous features that are of great benefit to enterprise users in particular. Designed with security, manageability and productivity in mind, Knox 2.7 offers deeper protection of personal and work data, as well as greater convenience than ever before.

A New Knox for Next-Level Security

First and foremost, Knox 2.7 has vastly enhanced core kernel security, thanks to the addition of Control Flow Protection defense.

When a smartphone’s software needs the hardware to do anything, from changing the brightness of the screen to initiating a call, it sends a request to the kernel. As the most central part of the operating system, security attacks here can be the most destructive.

In particular, one of the most problematic and stealthy kernel attacks is called Jump-Oriented Programming (JOP), which is when a hacker tries to interrupt processing to gain elevated access to resources that are normally protected from an application or user. But Knox 2.7 has significantly reduced the dangers of this type of attack.

Knox 2.7 has also taken advantage of the Galaxy’s Note7’s iris scanner to provide an entirely new level of security. Not only is an iris scan more secure and accurate than a fingerprint scan, but its protective efficacy also proves useful for unlocking and accessing the Knox container. IT administrators, working with MDMs, can now apply this unique authentication method, giving them more flexibility in implementing device security.

Yet another new security solution enabled by Knox technology is Secure Folder—a separate, encrypted folder that lets users manage private apps and sensitive files securely. Incorporating changes made based on user feedback, this improved feature comes preloaded on the device. With simple setup right from the Settings menu, along with a user-friendly UX, Secure Folder is as convenient as it is secure. It can even be hidden so that no one even knows it exists.

Unrivaled Manageability

One of the most important elements of maintaining good security in the workplace is keeping firmware up to date. In fact, just a few devices with outdated firmware can create security risks for all.

Knox 2.7 eliminates this problem, giving a company’s IT department more control over firmware updates. Using Firmware Over the Air (FOTA), IT managers can ensure everyone has the latest and most appropriate firmware on their devices over the carrier network. IT admins also now have the option to specify the official update version at their own preferred time without user interaction for more efficient device management.

But Knox 2.7 doesn’t just enable IT administrators to manage employees’ firmware. The new update also makes device enrollment easier and faster.

IT managers of large enterprises usually have large fleets of devices to maintain, and often must rely on mobile enrollment of devices to do so. With Knox 2.7, IT departments using one of Samsung’s Mobile Device Management (MDM) partners can now use cellular networks in addition to Wi-Fi to complete the mobile enrollment of large numbers of devices in bulk.

The addition of the cellular network option to mobile enrollment is especially useful for people in high security fields like the government, where Wi-Fi might not be used because of internal security concerns. But with Knox 2.7, now even government officials can get their devices enrolled and ready to use remotely.

Smarter Features for Enhanced Productivity

Corporations rely on Microsoft Exchange and Active Directory for everyday work tasks. Knox 2.7 continues to support Active Directory Single Sign On (SSO), a feature that allows users to connect to multiple applications that use a common authentication mechanism. It has also been significantly enhanced to better support these services, with many improvements based on user feedback.

First of all, it allows for the storage and management of up to five older S/MIME certificates (the digital signature and encryption standard for email). That way, users can access all their emails, even those that use older encryption keys.

In addition, Knox 2.7 has more sophisticated phone number access, with better recognition of extension numbers. Previously, the Contacts app misinterpreted numbers with extensions. But now, with an Exchange-compatible dialer format, when a contact is entered with an extension, the Samsung device deciphers it correctly and connects to it properly.

Knox 2.7 also brings a very useful addition to the car. Phone Book Access (PBA) allows a user’s Car Kit to access phone numbers and contact information for both their Personal and Knox Workspace accounts without moving the data. Previously, drivers did not have access to contacts in the protected Knox Workspace via a Bluetooth connection but Knox 2.7 allows IT administrators to enable or disable this function.

With the introduction of Knox 2.7, Samsung’s leading mobile security solution is even safer and more versatile than before. Anchored in the device’s hardware, Samsung’s highly manageable Knox 2.7 protects users’ personal and work information, all the while ensuring maximized productivity.

Today, Samsung Knox, the award winning, defense-grade security platform, is expanding to offer a suite of purpose-built, innovative and intuitive business tools designed for the ways people want to work. The new Samsung Knox is taking the platform beyond mobile to serve as the foundation for all Samsung enterprise solutions and services.

“As we move closer each day to a world where all things are connected, strength of security has never been more important,” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “As a renowned mobile security platform with notable government certifications, placing Samsung Knox at the foundation of all solutions and services will deliver the infrastructure needed to advance Samsung’s commitment to the enterprise.”

Secure Compatibility with More Devices

An important step in the expansion of Samsung Knox is its security coverage for Samsung devices from flagship devices to many mid-tier devices including select smartphones and tablets. Additionally, Samsung Knox is available on wearable devices such as the Samsung Gear S2. This means many more Samsung device owners will be able to benefit with Samsung Knox’s defense-grade protection.

Platform Expansion to Drive Interoperability

Samsung Knox is designed with multi-platform interoperability to work with existing IT assets. This commitment to interoperability will now be extended beyond the Android operating system to include Samsung’s Tizen operating system. Samsung Knox also works seamlessly between Internet of Things solutions with a collection of open APIs and SDKs. In addition, Knox is supported by over 120 enterprise mobility management (EMM) providers worldwide, and performs with all popular single sign-on (SSO) and virtual private network (VPN) solutions to preserve enterprise legacy IT investments.

Beyond Security, Beyond Mobile

Since its launch in 2013, Samsung Knox has become a trusted and robust mobile security platform, protecting the device at every layer from hardware through software to application. With this next evolution, all Samsung enterprise solutions and services including healthcare, automotive, finance and other segments will be built on the Samsung Knox platform.

“Samsung Knox allows us to offer our customers a better way to manage security and increase productivity,” said Robert Schukai, Head of Applied Innovation, Thomson Reuters. “By partnering with Samsung, we can take advantage of a networked world by empowering people to see connections, use insights and make decisions when it counts. Samsung Knox is pushing forward our connected future.”

For more information about Samsung Knox, please visit www.samsung.com/samsungknox

Samsung Electronics today announced that Samsung KNOX 2.6, Samsung’s built in defense grade security that is ready for work right out of the box, received the most “Strong” ratings of any mobile security platform in the report “Mobile Device Security: A Comparison of Platforms” from Gartner, Inc.. The report, published on April 6, 2016 compared the core OS security features built into twelve mobile device platforms as well as enterprise management capabilities.

Gartner notes, “Security professionals must make informed decisions about deploying management software or mobile security apps, or whether they can rely on the various devices’ security controls.  This assessment focuses on the security requirements that apply to mobile devices and compares the most popular mobile device platforms with respect to these requirements.”

“Samsung prides itself on providing end-to-end solutions that are secured at the core” said Injong Rhee, Executive Vice President and Head of R&D, Software and Services, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics.  “In today’s mobile-first environment, data privacy and protection are the integral components of all mobile applications and services, and KNOX is a ready-made hardware-vaulted security platform on which many mobile applications can be built with strong security and privacy protections on Samsung smartphone hardware.  We’re proud that Gartner has evaluated KNOX with the ‘Strong’ ratings in many aspects of security features.”

Gartner gave Samsung KNOX the most “strong” ratings of any platform for Corporate Managed Security.  Samsung KNOX is also the only platform with “strong” ratings for every security control listed in the Corporate Managed Security category according to the report. We believe this highlights Samsung’s industry leading position in categories such as Authentication Methods, Encryption Management, Jailbreak/Root Protection and App Vetting.

Samsung KNOX provides enterprise-ready devices with built in defense grade security, right out of the box. Anchored in the device’s hardware, Samsung KNOX protects the device from the moment it boots up all the way through launching an app. KNOX 2.6 is the latest version of Samsung’s mobile security platform, available on the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge devices. The KNOX 2.6 security platform is also optimized for Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which contains a number of features that enhance security and user productivity.

Gartner subscribers can download the report here.

For more information about Samsung KNOX, please visit www.samsungknox.com.

Mobile payments services have been in the news for the past year, with a variety of options vying for public acceptance. One of the most popular so far has been Samsung Pay, which is not only widely accepted and easy-to-use, but also incredibly secure, with several layers of security to ensure its users’ information stays safe. Why is Samsung Pay so secure? Because it protects people at three levels: guarding their private information (tokenization), requiring authentication and constantly monitoring their devices with Samsung KNOX.

Tokenization Keeps Private Information Private

When someone uses Samsung Pay to make a purchase, their card information is not actually shared with the merchant. Instead, Samsung Pay uses “tokenization,” meaning a digital token is created instead for each transaction, turning the card number into a unique identifier through an algorithm. The token is then stored in a secure area or as a separate hardware component (depending on the region).

By keeping people’s information out of the purchase process, this takes away the potential for their personal data to be picked up and used by outside parties. It’s a simple idea that means a major increase in the safety in the payment system.

User Authentication Ensures Control

Another important part of maintaining Samsung Pay security is the user authentication process. All transactions also require that the user confirm the purchase, either by a PIN or a fingerprint. Payments must be authorized with the user’s PIN or fingerprint so their mobile device only allows payments with the user’s consent.

Samsung KNOX, the Most Certified Solution

With multiple levels of security right out of the box, down to the hardware level, Samsung KNOX offers unprecedented security for mobile devices. Samsung KNOX constantly monitors devices, scanning for any malware or suspicious activity, providing defense-grade security from the moment a device is first turned on. With its series of security features, Samsung KNOX has the most certifications and authorizations by governments, militaries and enterprises among Android manufacturers, ensuring Samsung Pay is the safest solution possible.

Samsung Pay in the City That Never Sleeps

In addition to security, Samsung Pay is one of the most convenient mobile payments services on the market, combining both Near Field Communications (NFC) and Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technologies. MST is particularly useful because it is compatible with the majority of older card readers already in place at most retailers.

A new ad just released by Samsung highlights the advantages MST brings to Samsung Pay, in a commercial featuring the popular comedian Hannibal Buress, New York City’s famous Katz’s Delicatessen and Katz’s real employees and customers.

At 128 years old, Katz’s is famous for doing things the old-fashioned way, from making sandwiches to how it runs its business. They accept credit cards, but only using an older-style card reader. That’s no problem for Samsung Pay, though, which Buress successfully uses to purchase his delicious sandwich. If Samsung Pay is accepted at this famous New York institution, clearly Samsung Pay is here.

“Samsung KNOX is unmatched in its ability to deliver trusted mobile security across an all-encompassing robust platform,” said Dr. Injong Rhee, Executive Vice President and Head of R&D, Software and Services, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our market leadership, innovative technology and worldwide government certification is second to none, and we look forward to giving more people the opportunity to operate mobility with complete safety.”

By securing the critical ISCCC certification, Samsung will have a stronger foothold to garner mobile device contracts with China’s regulated industries – including government authorities, ministries and finance. The mobile devices used for testing were the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5. Now, government officials and public sector workers will be able to enjoy the built-in protection provided by these Galaxy devices, from the moment the device is turned on.

ANSSI is France’s national service in charge of information security. The testing was done with Samsung KNOX Workspace 2.3, and this first evaluation is focused on the dynamic partitioning provided by KNOX Workspace. Samsung is working closely with ANSSI to allow companies to be provided integrated solution meeting stringent security standards with Samsung’s secure device. Receiving the first level security certification (CSPN) differentiates Samsung’s mobile devices within France.

As a global leader driving enterprise mobility, Samsung offers enterprise and regulated customers the flexibility of Android, the security of KNOX and partnerships that cannot be matched by any other mobile device provider. Samsung has received several mobile security certifications, including the U.S. Department of Defense, UK Communications and Electronics Security Group and other governments such as Finland and Russia.

For more information, visit: www.samsungknox.com/en/security-certifications.

Mobility-minded enterprises can now equip themselves with the latest in mobile security, AnyConnect for Samsung KNOX. Samsung’s advanced Android platform unites with Cisco AnyConnect 4.0, the leading enterprise VPN solution, to provide secure and seamless connectivity over the robust KNOX mobile platform.

The demand for secure mobility continues with increasing mobile adoption and a highly dynamic threat landscape.  Enterprises want the benefits of mobility without compromising security.  Samsung KNOX is an advanced mobile platform designed to provide innovative device, application, and data protection.  AnyConnect for Samsung KNOX provides customers the ability to achieve tighter security control while enabling flexible per-application access to corporate resources via mobile VPN services.  This minimizes the potential of non-approved applications from compromising enterprise networks and data.

“We are very excited to raise the standard of secure mobility to a higher level for our customers by integrating our innovative Android platform, Samsung KNOX, with the leading enterprise VPN solution, AnyConnect. Mobile users will enjoy secure and seamless access to their applications and data without compromise,”  said Dr. Injong Rhee, Executive Vice President of Enterprise Business, IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics.

Together, Samsung KNOX and Cisco AnyConnect deliver:

• Highly secure, simple, and reliable connectivity
• Consistent user experience
• Secure data in motion and at rest
• Isolation and protection of corporate data

“Enterprises are demanding solutions that securely empower mobile users to work from anywhere to achieve greater speed, efficiency and agility.  However, the convenience of mobility often increases the risk for potential threats. IT organizations need a simple and consistent way to achieve the visibility and control needed to secure enterprise application access,” said Scott Harrell, Vice President Product Management, Security Business Group, Cisco. “The combined power of Cisco AnyConnect 4.0 and Samsung KNOX allows IT departments to increase their companies’ overall security posture by providing granular, scalable and secure access for applications in an easy-to-deploy solution for mobile devices.”

AnyConnect 4.0 for Samsung KNOX is downloadable through the Google Play Store.