SK Telecom security affiliate swerves past Samsung Knox

SK Infosec, the security affiliate of South Korean mobile carrier SK Telecom, will service Avast's Virtual Mobile Platform (VMP) to local enterprise clients for mobile security, the companies announced.

The South Korean security firm and Avast Mobile Enterprise, a division of Avast Software, already signed their first client, a large Korea e-commerce business. The companies did not name the client but it is likely affiliate SK Planet, which owns multiple online shopping platforms.

SK Infosec will later expand service to South Korea's pharmaceutical and other IT services.

"SK Infosec wants to have a significant role in deploying Avast VMP as we expand our cloud security services, continue to extend our footprint in Korea, and advance into international markets," said Bumsik Han, CEO, SK Infosec, in a statement.

"While we offer a strong range of mobile security solutions, such as MDM (mobile device management) and MAM (mobile application management) to our more than 1,600 enterprise customers, Avast's virtual mobile infrastructure platform enables us to be more competitive in meeting demand for a different, more powerful approach than Samsung KNOX to protect mobile data and user privacy, especially in the financial and healthcare sectors."

Avast VMP claims to protect client data by ensuring that no data footprint is left behind on devices. It also prevents data-jacking, and offers policy that offers flexibility and control over apps. It offers making encrypted calls to each other or sending messages without a trace.

"Avast values its new partnership with regional security powerhouse SK Infosec, which has always been ahead of the game in providing innovative, effective, next-generation security solutions and services to its customers," said Sinan Eren, Vice President, Avast Software and General Manager, Avast Mobile Enterprise, in a statement.

According to GfK's The Connected Asian Consumer report published earlier this month, 83 percent of those in Asia Pacific accessed the Internet through smartphones. Messaging apps were used at least once a week by those in Indonesia, India and Singapore.

Customer data breaches as well as hacking have become common place in South Korea. In March, South Korea's intelligence service alleged that North Korea hacked smartphones of high-level government officials. Local telco KT and shopping sites have all been hit with high-profile data leaks in the past.

Meanwhile, SK Infosec signed a partnership with IBM earlier this month to deploy Big Blue's cloud security solutions to local clients.