How is Samsung using blockchain to secure AI home appliances?

Why does security in AI home appliances matter?

Artificial intelligence (AI) can make your home appliances really smart. Your refrigerator may know about your grocery list, your washing machine may self-start at the most efficient time and the TV may shut off if it finds no one operating it for a while. While this tech makes life easier, it also brings some security risks.

To function effectively, AI-powered home appliances gather data, like your daily routines and preferences. If this data were to fall into the hands of fraudsters, it could lead to privacy breaches and losing control over your home devices. 

This is why security in AI home appliances is important. If the networked devices in your home, also termed the Internet of Things (IoT), aren’t adequately protected, it puts both your safety and data at risk. The same devices you have for convenience may become entry points for cyberattacks. 

Securing AI appliances such as smart watches and virtual reality (VR) headsets involves setting up a trustworthy environment in smart homes, which includes protecting private data and blocking unwanted access. This ensures privacy and security without compromising convenience.

While interconnected devices in homes enhance convenience, they also introduce security risks. A single compromised device can jeopardize the entire ecosystem, making multi-device protection essential for safeguarding our digital lives. This is where the Samsung Knox Matrix comes in. 

At Samsung Developer Conference 2024 (SDC24), the company announced its plans to extend Knox Matrix, a comprehensive security platform, beyond mobile devices and TVs to include home appliances. The expansion builds upon the success of Samsung Knox, an existing security solution. 

Did you know? Smart appliances are the fastest-growing segment in the appliance market, projected to reach over 60 billion US dollars in revenue in 2024, a 20% year-over-year increase.

What is the Knox Matrix?

To protect connected devices and networks, Samsung has developed Knox Matrix, a blockchain-based security solution. Initially launched at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in 2013, Knox Matrix has grown into a comprehensive security platform, now recognized for safeguarding millions of Samsung device users worldwide.

Samsung recognized that increased connectivity would also lead to greater risks, and traditional security models focusing on single devices would fall short. One compromised device may put at risk other devices within the same network. 

Knox Matrix offers a unique approach to security by enabling devices within an ecosystem to protect one another. It tackles the issue with a blockchain-driven framework that provides multi-device security across smartphones, TVs, home appliances and more. In case of a breach, Knox Matrix isolates the affected device to shield the rest. 

Managed on a private blockchain, Knox Matrix allows compatible devices to monitor one another for threats, turning a smart home into a “smart shield.” Knox Matrix offers a single security SDK that works across all Samsung devices, regardless of their underlying operating systems.

Samsung has integrated blockchain technology into its devices. The Galaxy smartphone series features a dedicated Samsung Blockchain Wallet, allowing users to store and manage cryptocurrencies. Additionally, Samsung Blockchain Keystore provides a secure platform for storing private data and digital keys.

Here is the timeline of Knox Matrix’s development:

What are the three core components of Knox Matrix?

The Knox Matrix system is built on three essential components – Trust Chain, Cross-platform security and Credential sync:

• Trust Chain: This feature allows connected devices within the ecosystem to continuously monitor one another for potential security threats. It creates a layered defense system where devices act as guardians for each other.
• Cross-platform security: Knox Matrix ensures seamless security across various operating systems, allowing different types of devices – from smartphones to home appliances – to operate within a single trusted network.
• Credential sync: It securely encrypts and synchronizes sensitive data across devices, ensuring that shared credentials, such as login information and settings, remain safe and consistently updated across all devices in the ecosystem.

Samsung has been working on Knox Matrix to make it even more potent. It has introduced Passkey, which allows you to unlock appliance apps with a simple fingerprint or facial scan. It has also developed Knox Vault, a chip-based storage solution for sensitive data.

Did you know? China is the world’s largest smart appliance market, expected to generate over 17 billion US dollars in revenue in 2024.

What are the features of the Knox Matrix security system?

Knox Matrix offers a robust defense for AI-enabled household gadgets using blockchain’s decentralized architecture:

• Holistic security platform: Knox Matrix offers comprehensive security for your connected equipment, including mobile devices, TVs, refrigerators and more. This integrated solution monitors devices for threats and notifies users of any actions taken.
• Mutual monitoring: Knox Matrix uses a private blockchain for mutual monitoring of the linked devices. The system monitors internal networks and quickly isolates any hacked nodes, protecting other devices.
• Secure management of credentials: Trusted devices can safely share encrypted credentials, which improves credential management. The system is designed to boost access control and accelerate identification verification procedures.
• Protection of sensitive information: Leveraging the immutable nature of blockchain technology, Knox Matrix safeguards sensitive financial data. 
• Unified standards: Knox Matrix has set up a framework of standardized protocols that reduce system vulnerabilities.
• Real-time response to threats: Knox Matrix enables real-time attack detection and response across linked systems.
• Biometric authentication: By utilizing fingerprint recognition, users can bypass traditional passwords to access apps and services. Biometric authentication safeguards sensitive information and functionalities, restricting access to authorized individuals.

Did you know? Smart appliance revenue per user has been falling since 2021 and is expected to keep dropping as more people buy smart appliances and prices decrease. This is a common pattern in new markets as supply catches up with demand.

Building a system for the next generation of device security requires thoughtful planning. While Knox Matrix is a robust security solution, there are challenges as well. These include integrating various products with differing operating systems and security standards into a unified, seamless system.

As devices become increasingly connected, Samsung has to ensure that the security system doesn’t make them difficult to use. Further development of Knox Matrix will require not only protection of devices but also transparency and ease of control by users.