Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. unveiled a range of security innovations across its ecosystem of products and services. With the release of One UI 6, these innovations include updates to Samsung Knox Matrix with passkeys and end-to-end encryption for backed-up and restored Samsung Cloud data, and the expansion of Samsung Knox Vault to the wider device ecosystem. These advancements are engineered for an age of hyperconnectivity, ensuring that as we enter a world where multiple devices connect and share information with each other, the security aspect is never compromised. The updates were announced at the annual Samsung Developer Conference 2023 (SDC23), which brings together developers, creators and designers to explore Samsung’s powerful and seamless connected experiences. At the event, Samsung was able to showcase how these innovations will work to push the industry forward and empower users with more ways to safely do what they love, today and tomorrow.
“The strongest security and privacy innovations can help protect your everyday mobile experience as well as your device,” said Dr. Seungwon Shin, EVP & Head of Security Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We strive to keep more users safe in more ways than ever, and our latest security innovations mean users can live life with greater options and less effort – so life can truly open up possibilities, now and for years to come.”
Secure Convenience in a Connected World
The release of One UI 6 on Galaxy devices and an update to Samsung Knox Matrix work to further realize Samsung’s vision of a future where connected devices can protect each other within an ecosystem.
Last year, we announced that Knox Matrix would support Trust Chain, which will enable connected devices to intelligently monitor each other for security threats, and send notifications to other devices if one is ever attacked. This meant that if a hacker were to target a device, Knox Matrix could detect the threat and isolate that device from other devices to keep the rest of the system safe.
At SDC23, Samsung is announcing updates to another key element of Knox Matrix – Credential Sync, which can help protect sensitive information as it moves between multiple devices, such as Samsung Galaxy devices, TVs and Family Hub refrigerators. With the introduction of One UI 6, Credential Sync brings users an easy and secure way to sync their identities and credentials between their Samsung devices. Also now available within Credential Sync is end-to-end encryption of backed-up and restored Samsung Cloud data. This ensures the data can only be encrypted or decrypted on a user’s devices, meaning nobody can see it but the user – even if a server is compromised or account details are stolen. Starting early 2024, Samsung Galaxy devices will also implement end-to-end encryption when users sync their data with Samsung Cloud.
As part of Credential Sync, Samsung has also developed new ways to manage and secure identities and credentials for a future hyperconnected world in the form of passkeys: digital credentials that can be used as authentication for websites and apps. Through One UI 6, Samsung Pass has been updated with the ability to use passkeys,[4] marking a significant step towards a password less future where passkeys replace traditional passwords to provide an experience that is:
- Faster: Users can save time on typing their account username into their device by instead quickly selecting the account they wish to sign into
- Easier: Once passkeys are registered, users can easily switch over to a new connected device with no requirement to sign up all over again
- More secure: Passkeys only work on users’ registered websites and applications, ensuring protection against phishing attacks from malicious sites or apps
Knox Matrix realizes this revolutionary step in the evolution of passwords by enabling a convenient way to share passkeys across multiple devices without sacrificing security. Based on FIDO’s international standards, passkeys enable users to use Samsung Pass on their smartphone to sign into apps and websites through biometric sensors, such as fingerprints. With One UI 6, passkeys are able to be held in escrow until specific conditions are met – like when a PIN, password or lock screen pattern of a user’s previous device is entered on their Samsung Galaxy smartphone. These updated escrow functions within Knox Matrix will eliminate the need for users to remember current passwords or reset forgotten ones, providing convenience and stronger security when sharing credentials between connected devices.