[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Today Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd., a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced the commercial availability of Samsung KNOX for use by consumers.

Samsung KNOX is an end-to-end solution that provides security hardening from the hardware through the application layer. Samsung KNOX implements a concept called “container” that is a separate secure execution environment for a set of pre-screened applications to run and store data. Applications running outside the container have only limited access to the data stored inside the container where security is enforced by system-level protection of Samsung KNOX. User data stored in the container is protected from malware and phishing attacks as well as hacking attempts on physical devices when devices are stolen or lost.

Samsung originally announced earlier this year the availability of Samsung KNOX for use by enterprise by giving IT departments the comprehensive control they need, without infringing on employees’ privacy and keeping them satisfied with the consistent user experience of their personal device. Samsung, since then, has extended its security features to enable consumers to activate the container without involving the IT department and store important personal data inside the container. For example, important personal pictures or video can be stored in the container with no worries for data leakage due to hacking. In addition, users may choose to store enterprise applications and data such as corporate email, contacts and calendar allowing the IT department to manage the container through EAS (Exchange ActiveSync Server). These features make Samsung KNOX an ideal platform for BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device to work).

“Samsung KNOX represents Samsung’s strong commitment towards making its devices BYOD-ready with the necessary security and feature enhancements,” said Dr. Injong Rhee, Senior Vice President of KNOX Business Group, Samsung Electronics. “We are delighted to see Samsung KNOX provide advanced data and privacy protection for both enterprises and consumers. The availability of Samsung KNOX to consumers will accelerate the adoption of Samsung devices for BYOD as prosumers can now readily experience Samsung KNOX with ease at no cost.”