Securing the present and future of wearables in the workplace

Smartwatches have gone from somewhat of a splurge to quite common or perhaps even essential, with various studies showing that anywhere from roughly a quarter to nearly half of Americans now own one.

From tracking steps and workouts to staying connected on the go, people of all ages and fitness levels can benefit from the convenience and sense of wellness that a smartwatch provides. Wearables are entering the workplace to help power employee wellness programs that promote work-life balance.

All sounds great, right? There’s just one concern to address, and it’s an important one: enterprise security. As more devices are added to a company’s network, IT teams need to be able to manage and monitor those devices in tune with the rest of the company’s technology infrastructure. Recognizing both the need and the challenge,Samsung announced in August 2024that itsKnox Managesolution now works with Samsung’s latest wearables, includingGalaxy Watch7andGalaxy Watch UltrafeaturingGalaxy AI.*

What is Samsung Knox?

Samsung Knoxis a defense-grade mobile security platform built directly into Samsung devices, providing protection at both the hardware and software levels. Knox delivers multi-layered security to safeguard sensitive business and personal data, starting with the secure boot process and continuing through encryption, app management, secure access, and more.

Knox includes a full suite of solutions that cover a device’s entire lifecycle. For example, Knox Vault helps isolate critical data, whileKnox E-FOTAenables seamless, controlled firmware updates. There’s alsoKnox Mobile Enrollment, which makes mass deployment more streamlined and secure, and Knox Manage, which we’ll discuss in the next section. Samsung Knox provides a wide range ofrobust security controls.

What is Knox Manage?

Knox Manage is Samsung’s enterprise mobility management (EMM) solution designed to give IT administrators granular control over their organizations’ mobile devices. It enables remote management, allowing IT teams to monitor and enforce policies across various devices, including smartphones, tablets and wearables. Centralized control helps keep devices secure, compliant with company standards, and functioning optimally without requiring physical access.

Knox Manage simplifies complex tasks like remote app installation, wiping devices and applying updates. The platform integrates with existing systems, providing flexibility for businesses using third-party mobile device management solutions and allowing them to oversee large deployments seamlessly. Businesses can maintain high levels of security, even in environments where personal and work data live on the same device.

How does Knox Manage work for the future of wearables in the workplace?

With Knox Manage, wearables can integrate seamlessly into a company’s mobile ecosystem, allowing IT administrators to monitor and enforce security policies on each device remotely.

Once a compatible Galaxy wearable is enrolled in Knox Manage, the administrator can configure settings, deploy apps, and control features from a centralized console. This includes restricting certain apps, managing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth access, or even wiping data if a device is lost or compromised. The game-changer, though, is the ability to separate work and personal data so that sensitive corporate information stays secure even if employees use their smartwatches for personal purposes.

Knox Manage also supports real-time monitoring of devices, giving admins insight into how each wearable is being used and whether policies are being adhered to. With regular security updates and support for remote firmware management, smartwatches are no longer low-hanging entry points for cyberattacks. Instead, they become secure, integrated tools within the broader business environment.

Connected. Empowered. Protected.

Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra each bring so many benefits to the workplace. Galaxy Watch7 has a sleek design for everyday use, combining AI-powered health tracking and productivity tools that seamlessly integrate into anyone’s day-to-day routine. It’s a great choice for employees who want a reliable wearable throughout their workday.

Galaxy Watch Ultra adds advanced features for more demanding workouts and environments. Its rugged build helps it handle tougher conditions, while the extensive health metrics — including VO2 max and advanced recovery tracking — cater to more fitness-focused users. It also has extended battery life, up to 100 hours of typical use on a single charge, and can even be used in standalone mode (no need for a companion phone).

Both watches, now supported by Knox Manage, help companiesencourage employee wellnessandenable mobile productivity, without compromising security. Everyone’s happy — and healthy.

Learn more about the present andfuture of wearables in the workplaceand how you can take your health tracking to the next level. If you’re not currently an Android or Galaxy user, make sure totry Galaxy for Workon your current device today.

*Galaxy AI features by Samsung will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices.