Samsung is integrating Unikey’s touch-to-open, keyless and cardless entry for consumers and businesses into its KNOX mobile operating system.
Powered by what it calls a smart access control cloud, UniKey's first application for residential, the Kwikset Kevo key offering, is available in the Google Play store, and will be available via KNOX Apps later this month for Android 5.0 devices. The application can be used for unlocking doors, entryways and gates without the need for a key or badge in residential, enterprise, commercial, government, institutional or multi-tenant residential environments.
When downloaded from the Google Play store or KNOX Apps, UniKey's access control cloud platform interfaces with Samsung mobile devices inside the secure KNOX container.
KNOX is Samsung’s Android variant that was developed to meet military and enterprise standards for security. It’s approved for use by the Pentagon, and contains a range of security functions. These include antivirus from Lookout, and a Customizable Secure Boot that ensures only verified and authorized software can run on the device. Also, TrustZone-based Integrity Measurement Architecture (TIMA) provides continuous integrity monitoring of the Linux kernel. When TIMA detects that the integrity of the kernel or the boot loader is violated, it takes a policy-driven action in response. One of these policy actions disables the kernel and powers down the device.
"By integrating with Samsung KNOX, UniKey is enabling the most secure access solution for businesses and consumers," said Phil Dumas, UniKey founder and president, in a statement. "In partnership with Samsung, UniKey is making it even more convenient for businesses to manage secure access to any door, gate or badge access point and giving consumers the most convenient and secure way to manage access to their home. Through our partnerships with global market leaders in their respective industries, and with diverse businesses around the world, UniKey has expanded its footprint well beyond residential and into commercial enterprise with further platform expansions in 2015 and beyond."
UniKey also recently announced integration with Nest Learning Thermostat through the Works with Nest program, to enable personalization of thermostat preferences and provide greater energy savings in smart homes and smart businesses.