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The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) comes with the rise of cyber attacks. With everything and everyone so interconnected with each other, attacks may come from anywhere, literally, even in your own home. Therefore, there’s no wonder that cybersecurity is at the forefront of users’ concerns when it comes to connected device ecosystems.
Earlier this October, Samsung Electronics revealed the next level of device security solutions at the Samsung Developer Conference: the Samsung Knox Matrix, a revolutionary concept for multi-device protection, including smart home appliances.
How Does Samsung Knox Matrix Work?
Simply put, the Samsung Knox Matrix allows multi-device protection for seamless productivity. If one device in a connected system of IoT is compromised, Knox Matric will isolate the affected device so that everything else, including your smartphone, is kept safe from attacks.
It creates a private blockchain system in which the security of connected devices is bolstered through multi-layered mutual monitoring. The unified security SDK provided by Knox Matrix works across Android, Tizen, and other OS systems, which is coherent with Samsung’s aim to “advance common security standards across various Samsung connect devices”.
Media Roundtable with Samsung’s Head of Security Team, Dr Seungwon Shin
Even in Malaysia, cybersecurity is a rising concern. With almost daily reports of Internet banking and financial scams, fear is in the air – but smart devices have become such an inherent part of our lives, it seems as if there’s no better time for cyber-criminals right now.
Therefore, security measures like Samsung Knox, which are pre-installed into all recent Samsung Galaxy devices, are pretty important to ensure your devices and personal information stays protected at all times.
In order to help our readers understand Samsung Knox and address their concerns about safety and privacy in the mobile world, we had a chance to interview Samsung’s Vice President and Head of Security Team, Dr Seungwon Shin. Having led security innovation across the entire Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, Dr Shin has had a hand in developing secure AP, Knox Vault, and more, while overseeing Samsung’s response to on-going security threats with real-time protection and threat predictions.
1. Currently, Knox is just a security platform built on overlapping security measures and encryptions. Now with Knox Matrix, it’s going to be implemented in more than just mobile phones by including smart home devices into the protection web. Is Samsung considering expanding Knox into fully-fledged antivirus software that can be used on non-Samsung devices as well?
Ans: Knox is a comprehensive security level on the system level. With Knox Matrix, Samsung is providing security measures for the multi-device environment, which includes Samsung devices based on Android, Tizen, or other OS. Knox is still only applicable to Samsung devices for now.
2. Is it possible for the Knox vault to be accidentally triggered by "physical intrusion" and cause data to self-destruct? And can the lost data be recovered?
Ans: Knox Vault has guaranteed security measures with EAL5+ (Evaluation Assurance Level). It’s fully protected from physical damage. Once the data is deleted, it’s deleted and unrecoverable.
3. What's the tried and tested guarantee that the chip can withstand all sorts of physical attacks and device hijacking?
Ans: Knox is certified military-grade, and [Galaxy smartphones] are the only B2C smartphone with a chip that’s certified with EAL5+.
4. What’s the difference between Samsung Knox and third-party antivirus software?
Ans: [Samsung Knox] provides strong security from chip to application with various measures. The full protection is unparalleled with other platforms and has been awarded various certifications.
5. Integrity on Samsung’s end towards users’ data: Can Samsung access the data in the Knox Vault?
Ans: There is no way for Samsung to access data from Knox Vault. Only the user can access that data.
6. This is not exactly a new technology; so why the sudden push to build awareness?
Ans: Actually, Samsung has been involved in various activities to raise awareness on Knox, including at the SDC in October this year, where the Knox Matrix was announced for the first time. We’re pushing harder and trying to raise awareness on Knox as some users may not understand the full range of security measures that they can get through Samsung Knox, and we want users to understand what they can get from Samsung Knox.
7. Samsung devices are on Android, which is open-source software. That means that despite Knox or any other security measures, there’s still a significant risk when downloading third-party apps. Will Samsung be developing any system to bypass that?
Ans: Samsung is developing a feature to control third-party apps. The testing period for the feature is almost over and Samsung is looking forward to releasing it [soon].
8. Is Knox doing anything to help with the rising cybersecurity attacks in Malaysia (personal info breaches, banking scams, SMS fraud, etc.)?
Ans: Samsung Knox already provides security features that provide protection against malicious codes that may breach your device. A lot of these scams take advantage of newly discovered vulnerabilities in the smartphone, which is where Knox comes in by informing you of your security vulnerabilities. [Samsung Knox also provides] hardware-based guaranteed security to ensure safe banking on your device.
9. How much security would you say Samsung Knox is able to provide for a user's banking or financing in their devices?
Ans: There is never 100% foolproof security anywhere, but Samsung is giving you the most advanced hardware-backed security, including security chips to ensure your device stays safe.
10. Does Knox Matrix also take into consideration non-Samsung devices that are connected to Samsung devices? For example, if a Samsung phone is connected to a non-Samsung brand home device.
Ans: For now, [Samsung Knox’s] focus is more on Samsung devices. Knox Matix is only available on Samsung products, but we do hope to expand security features outside of Samsung devices as well in the future.
11. Are there any other new technologies with regard to Samsung’s security tools?
Ans: Our most recent release was the Knox Matrix. The next plan is to expand IoT security, which we hope to announce by next year’s SDC.
12. Do you have any tips and recommendations for users to keep their smartphones safe?
Ans: First and foremost, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of staying up to date with your security patches to ensure that all vulnerabilities are covered. Keep your sensitive information and private data safe in the Knox Vault, and regularly check out the security and privacy information from Samsung.