On Monday, Samsung unveiled a range of new artificial intelligence (AI) security features designed for its One UI 8 operating system. The South Korean technology powerhouse revealed three enhancements, including Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP) to bolster on-device privacy, an upgraded Knox Matrix threat response system to safeguard devices and user information against hacking attempts, and an updated Secure Wi-Fi feature poised to defend against potential cyberattacks in a future dominated by quantum computing. These security advancements come ahead of the anticipated releases of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Samsung Unveils Advanced On-Device Security Features
In an official statement, Samsung detailed the three new features set to be incorporated into Galaxy smartphones and tablets running One UI 8 or later. The company emphasized the importance of protecting on-device AI systems through sophisticated threat detection and prevention strategies in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The first feature introduced is Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP), which serves as a privacy mechanism for the AI tools within Samsung devices. KEEP establishes encrypted, app-specific storage areas that are inaccessible to other applications. Samsung asserts that this enhancement will guard sensitive data from AI applications against theft by malware or unauthorized apps.
According to Samsung, KEEP focuses on keeping user insights, such as routines and preferences, private. Given that AI features like Now Brief and Smart Gallery rely on this data to generate personalized recommendations, the company believes the protection of these applications and their associated information is paramount.
The second enhancement is an update to Knox Matrix, Samsung’s security solution for cross-device connectivity, which is now fortified to safeguard user data and devices against severe cyber threats. The upgraded Knox Matrix will automatically sign users out of their Samsung accounts when it identifies high-risk scenarios, such as potential system manipulation or identity forgery. This proactive measure prevents attacks from extending to other connected devices and cloud-stored user data.
When a device is locked due to a detected threat, users receive notifications across all connected Galaxy devices. By tapping the notification, they can access the “Security status of your devices” page to evaluate the threat and initiate further protective measures.
While the first two features address contemporary security threats, the final feature aims to prepare devices for future cyberattacks that may utilize quantum technology. These attacks typically involve the harvesting of encrypted data from devices and cloud storage without immediate decryption. Attackers can wait until quantum technology evolves to decipher the captured data, a tactic referred to as “harvest now, decrypt later.”
To counter this potential threat, Samsung is enhancing Secure Wi-Fi through Post-Quantum Enhanced Data Protection (EDP). The new cryptographic framework integrated into Secure Wi-Fi is designed to bolster network security against such advanced attacks and protect users’ data even when connected to public networks.
