There were several themes at the Samsung Developers Conference 2016, but none quite as prominent as the Samsung Knox Platform. But what is the Samsung Knox platform, and what can it do?
Knox is a device-level security framework for mobile devices. It provides an integrated hardware and software solution towards Mobile Device Management. At the lowest levels, it provides key management to secure a device's Operating System (be it Android or Tizen), while providing multiple boot sectors for multiple configurations of the device. Above that are several layers of security for protecting communications, apps and data. This provides a seamless experience for the user while still allowing IT the control needed to protect and purge critical data as necessary. Knox also provides the ability to create a secure sandbox, effectively separating business-related data and apps from the unsecured personal area of the user.
Aside from the security aspects of Knox, there are several other features provided out of the box. These include:
Kiosk Mode
Kiosk Mode "locks" a device, so that only a single app is able to run while in this configuration. The usage of the home and back buttons can be limited or disabled altogether. This is particularly useful when setting up an interactive or informational kiosk for customers to use on their own. The device can also be set to boot directly into the "kiosk app", which is useful (and sometimes necessary) in situations where a tablet or phone is meant to serve only one specific purpose (imagine an information kiosk at an event, or a self-service order point in a fast food restaurant). Given the varying levels of available Samsung devices, it's easy to find a cost-effective option for making these technologies come true.
Configuration Management
This feature lets IT departments create a device within a specific configuration—for instance, a device that acts as a point of sale system or an order entry device. While in the configuration, the device only provides the apps and services necessary for the intended task. You can also brand the device with your company's logo, color scheme, etc. and control its updates and configuration from a central remote location.
Workspace
While BYOD ("Bring Your Own Device") is a popular, common practice in today’s enterprise, there are times that this way of working just isn't feasible. Healthcare and Government are two spaces where this may be the case. For these situations, Samsung offers the Knox Workspace, which provides a secure enterprise-capable management of devices via:
- Enforcement of security policies
- Integration with existing MDM solutions
- Integration with Active Directory for Access Enforcement
- Blocking boot-time "rooting" of devices
- Many more APIs for securing the devices
Summa recently announced that we're now officially a Samsung Business Services partner and a Samsung Solutions Exchange partner—a development that opens huge opportunities for Summa's current and future clients. Summa is uniquely positioned to help your business take advantage of the benefits of Knox (and many other products) by way of innovative hardware and software solutions that tackle your organization's unique challenges.
Let’s see what types of business-changing applications we can discover together. Connect with us today.
