Integrated protection by design to ensure more reliable and secure home appliances.

As security breaches continue to occur across all types of electronic devices, regulations are being continuously reviewed in every region, and efforts are being made to raise consumer awareness.

It is clear that security can no longer be a secondary concern. AI functionality has become deeply integrated into everyday life, creating more invisible pathways through which threats can infiltrate. In light of these changes, it is more important than ever to create robust security frameworks and systems that alert users to changes — especially in our homes, which are the most personal of spaces.

For this reason, Samsung has been working to redefine how digital security is integrated into everyday life. As announced at IFA 2025, the company is making the AI Home a reality, with security as its fundamental pillar.

The company’s exclusive security solutions, including Knox Matrix and Knox Vault, have been applied to a wide range of home appliances, helping create a much safer home environment.

Security has long been a top priority for Samsung

Although 2024 was the year Samsung officially introduced Samsung Knox for home appliances, the company has been working on integrated security for more than a decade. As early as 2011, when Samsung began exploring appliances that could act as home controllers, it also started seeking ways to prevent data theft.

According to Changhoon Lee, Head of the Digital Appliances Security Lab at Samsung Electronics, the real momentum began with the launch of the Family Hub refrigerator. It integrated services capable of storing personal data, such as calendars and schedules, and leveraged information from Samsung accounts. It also allowed users to connect and control their refrigerator remotely through SmartThings.

At that time, IoT was still new, and awareness of the security challenges associated with IoT devices was limited. It wasn’t easy to get started. We had to consider what security standards and models would be appropriate for home appliances, and that required significant technological investment, recalls Lee.

Coincidentally, this was also when a new type of malware targeting IoT devices first appeared. The emergence of malware aimed at connected devices — coinciding with the launch of Samsung’s IoT refrigerator — marked a paradigm shift. It accelerated the company’s research and development efforts in security.

The importance of home security is expanding

While the debut of Family Hub raised awareness of the need for appliance security, the expansion of SmartThings deepened the technical requirements.

“There are simply more factors to consider”, notes Lee. “With SmartThings, some functions may involve basic data exchanges, while others may handle more personal information. For example, the Map View feature allows users to see multiple connected devices at a glance. However, this also means that devices must share data with each other, increasing both the number and complexity of potential use cases. This shifts the focus from protecting individual devices to ensuring security between devices within a connected ecosystem. Looking ahead, as AI-powered technologies continue to advance, more use cases and threats must be anticipated. That’s why it’s increasingly important to establish clear security criteria — defining how security should be applied and reflected in product design from the very beginning”.

The evolution of product features has also accelerated the adoption of new security technologies. As devices become more advanced and their functions expand, security measures must evolve to meet these new demands.

Take robot vacuum cleaners, for example. In the past, cameras were used for navigation. But our current model has introduced surveillance functions, adding video security capabilities. As features evolve, the volume and sensitivity of data that must be protected increases, as does the complexity of the required technology, explains Lee.

Over time, Samsung has consistently developed its security technologies and accumulated valuable technical expertise through a wide range of experiences. That’s why, at a time when security has become an absolute priority, the company can confidently place it at the forefront.

Furthermore, Samsung has achieved significant security advancements through its mobile business, one of the most personal and security-sensitive product categories. By leveraging these technologies and with a broad portfolio spanning from TVs to mobile devices, the company has extended its security innovations across all divisions, establishing a strong protection framework for home appliances.

Extensively tested and proven capabilities

“The appeal of a smart home lies in how appliances adapt to you and are easy to control”, he added. “But if your personal data is at risk of being leaked, you can’t truly feel safe. We’ve been investing consistently in this field for over a decade, and I believe that’s why reputable institutions and government bodies have recognized our efforts”.

Indeed, the strength of Samsung’s security system has been verified through several third-party certifications. As a key example, several products have earned the “Diamond” level in UL Solutions’ IoT Security Rating Marketing Claim Verification program. To achieve this top-level certification, a product must meet 56 detailed criteria across 33 evaluation elements in six core areas.

These criteria cover a broad range of aspects, including software updates, data encryption, and system management. The evaluation is comprehensive and designed to ensure compatibility with multiple international security standards, making it one of the most complete certifications available.

Another area where Samsung demonstrates clear strength is in privacy protection. The Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Bot Combo — a robot vacuum and mop — became the first of its kind to earn the “Privacy by Design” certification from the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).

This certification requires that personal data protection be considered throughout a product or service’s entire lifecycle — including planning, production, and disposal — and involves meeting 71 detailed evaluation criteria across four key areas.

As you can see from the number of criteria, although there may be some overlap, the elements are diverse, and the requirements differ slightly for each certification. Therefore, it’s not easy for a product to meet multiple standards simultaneously. Fortunately, our robot vacuum cleaners already comply with a wide range of IoT standards, which allowed us to meet the security requirements — a crucial factor in ensuring user privacy, explained Lee.

Building Bespoke AI appliances ready for future threats

At a recent global conference, Samsung addressed the future of security and introduced post-quantum cryptography (PQC), a new and still relatively unknown data encryption technology. This type of protection is becoming increasingly necessary as quantum computing advances, potentially making current encryption algorithms vulnerable to decryption. To stay ahead of this possible threat, Samsung is implementing PQC within Knox Matrix for its home appliances.

While some may question whether it’s too early to consider post-quantum security, Samsung is taking a long-term view to ensure customer protection. Home appliances are typically used for around ten years after purchase. Considering the product lifecycle, Samsung believes it is essential to prepare now for risks that may materialize in the future. This forward-thinking mindset drives its vision for the smart home.

“If we wait for a data breach to happen, it will already be too late. Our mission is to continue improving these security technologies so consumers can always feel safe and protected when using our products”, says Lee.