Only 2% of Samsung KNOX supported devices are using the enterprise container

At a forum in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Samsung’s senior vice president Rhee In-jong told those in attendance that Samsung plans on using biometric sensors to strengthen the security on its low to high-end phones in the future. The executive is part of the team that works on Samsung KNOX. The latter is a "container" that offers a secure layer of apps so that those who bring their own phone to work, can do so without worrying about their phone being infiltrated by malware.

Samsung is hoping that the biometric sensors, which are available now on the Samsung Galaxy S5 in the form of an embedded fingerprint scanner, are another layer of security that allows companies to purchase Samsung phones, instead of going with competitors like BlackBerry. Despite the latter's sharp drop in market share, it still does receive orders from companies that need to make sure that their mobile communications are secure.

Besides the fingerprint scanner, Samsung was hoping that Samsung KNOX would help the company compete for sales from the enterprise. So far, just 1.8 million of the 87 million units that come with KNOX, are using the secure container. Rhee In-jong says that KNOX is being used by companies in the healthcare and financial industries, and hopes that others show an interest in the application.

Besides fingerprint scanners, the executive says that other forms of biometrics being looked at by handset manufacturers, include iris scanners.  According to Rhee, the iris scanners would first become available in high-end models, before they would become a feature on all Samsung phones.

source: WSJ