Open Kernel Labs is announcing a defense grade mobile smartphone that the company is positioning for the enterprise market.

LG will manufacture the devices as part of an OK Labs contract with the Department of Defense.

The device uses mobile virtualization so personal data is separated from military or eventually corporate information.

In the military, high and low is the government version of the dual persona. High is classified. OK Labs is calling the defense grade technology the “High Assurance Framework,” wich allows for isolation between identities.  It will incorporate the OKLabs microvisor, which allows for the partitioning of the data.

Mobile virtualization is a new concept but its application is the same as it on a personbal computer.  For example, a smartphone can be virtualized to separate personal apps from the ones the person uses in the enterprise.

Services Angle

VMware offers mobile virtualization but it has to be installed on the device. The OKLabs  technology is actually built into the device itself. That means it comes equipped with the hardware.

On an Android device the apps have access to everything on the handset. Virtualizing creates a completely segmented environment where secure apps can run without worry about frivolous apps getting acccess.

This becomes increasingly important as mobile banking and other similar applications gain popularity. And as Android becomes more widely used, mobile devices will become more vulnerable to hacker attacks and malware. Mobile virtualization can help protect the critical data on those devices.

But for now, the challenge is getting the virtualization on the hardware. Security issues have gained more notice in recent months.  But the CIO still faces a considerable challenge. The devices are insecure and people bring them from home.

Mobile virtualization is a potential answer but these are early days.  LG is the only manufacturer willing to make the investment. And Apple devices can’t be virtualized without getting the proper licensing. So far, Apple has not provided that permission.

But if enough manufacturers do adopt the OK Labs technology then Android devices may prove to be a viable alternative for the CIO seeking a way to provide a level of security to the endless parade of devices entering the workplace.

And that could be an enterprise game changer.