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November 28, 2012 By News Staff
With bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs gaining popularity in recent years, cell phone technology is catching up. Mobile software and hardware developers will release new dual-identity phones that will allow a user to have two virtual phones in one device. By allowing one device to have two identities, a user can keep personal and work information separate, Network World reported. The technology is expected to be available in the U.S. in the second half of 2013.
VMWare and Red Bend have signed agreements with device manufacturers to create dual-identity phones using some of today's most popular models. Lori Sylvia, Red Bend's executive vice president of marketing, told Network World that employers will have control of the set-up of the phone's work identity. "What goes into the work-phone instance will all be customized on the back end by the IT admins," she said.
There are two approaches to implementing dual-identity phones. Red Bend uses a Type 1 hypervisor, which runs both instances of the operating system in two separate areas of the processor. VMWare, which has deals in place with LG, Samsung and Motorola, will use a Type 2 hypervisor solution. This type utilizes a guest and host operating system set-up, running one on top of the other.
A dual-identity Droid Razr M smartphone is already available in Japan.
Go to Network World for the full story.
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The courts and organizations subject to FOIA (Freedom of Information Act ) information requests will have a field day with the 2 phones -in-1 phone concept - the arguments will run that not only can work related communications be requested on sensitive court cases, but also personal communications since they occurred using the same device - leaving the user with no "shield" on the personal communications end.
WHile the concept of dual usage sounds like a good idea, employers will have definitely have to change policy and procedures regarding employee phone use and responsibility.
Brenda, I think it's just the opposite. People are already using one device for personal and business purposes. Right now there is absolutely no separation between the two types of data. With a dual use phone, the data will be easily separated between the 2 virtual machines. I was just wondering how long it would take phone manufacturers to come up with this. As an IT Director, I think it's about time.
Motorola and a couple of other manufacturers offered this capability at least 10 years ago. They put 2 hardware NAMs in some handsets. The wireless carriers chose to quit offering these phones. Nice to know that manufacturers are working to bring it back. Now, if the wireless carriers will just not block it.
Will each virtual phone be able to have a different carrier?
Not an attorney, but it could go the other way - allowing to keep the personal data out of public scrutiny. Our "issued" smart phones are encouraged to be used off-duty as well as on-duty. Benefits employer (easier to find off duty employee in an emergency or other need), benefit for employee if they so choose.
I don't think this is a Dual-Sim phone so it should be one carrier. If a dual-sim, dual-personality, GSM/CDMA phone came out, it would be the size of a brick. For my company we would have to allow employee's to use their work phone for personal use to take advantage of this. Most of us are still carrying two phones around which everyone hates.
Happy Days! Tired of carrying two phones, one for work and one for personal. I'd be happy to give up privacy for that feature.
I think the dual ID on one phone solutions are going to be awkward and are going to have a lot of legal issues. There are currently several app and MDM solutions that will offer organization and employees several options for seperating personal and work data as well assecurity, which the dual ID solution dosen't address. Example, we use a secure text messaging app that is SOX and HIPAA compliant (Tigertext PRO) but allows for encypted text messaging that auto deletes so it dosen't remain on the device to deal with confidential data. Simple and cost effective, plus the employees don't feel that the company controls thier device, even though IT can wipe all the messages if needed. CIO's are going to have to be inventive to deal with BYOD security issue, and a dual ID phone I think will make more problems then solutions.