A new Android application currently under development has been designed to allow Android users to virtually split their Android smartphone into behaving as if it were two separate devices, simply separating your personal and work environments on one phone.
The idea behind Divide is simple: it allows you to separate your work apps from your personal apps as though you had two devices. With one keeping your work apps and data secure because the Divide platform walls off your work data and no app you download from an App store can access it.
How Divide Works
Divide operates by creating a virtual partition within your Android device. This partition acts as a secure container for your work-related applications and data. When you switch to the work environment, you are essentially operating within a sandbox that is isolated from your personal apps and data. This ensures that any potential security threats from personal apps do not compromise your work data.
For example, if you download a game or a social media app on your personal side, it will have no access to your work emails, documents, or any other sensitive information. This separation is crucial for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of work-related data, especially in an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated.
Benefits for Users and IT Departments
Andrew Toy, CEO of startup Enterproid, explains, “It looks like a completely different device, but it is actually running side by side on your own phone.” This dual-environment approach offers several benefits:
- Enhanced Security: By isolating work data, Divide ensures that sensitive information remains protected from potential breaches originating from personal apps.
- Convenience: Users no longer need to carry two devices. They can seamlessly switch between work and personal environments on a single phone.
- Compliance: IT departments can enforce security policies and compliance requirements without restricting the personal use of the device.
- Productivity: Users can maintain a clear boundary between work and personal life, potentially reducing distractions and improving focus during work hours.
Divide is intended to enable people to separate work and play, allowing them to use their phones however they wish and still meet the demands of IT departments worried about security. This is particularly beneficial in the current trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, where employees use their personal devices for work purposes. Divide provides a solution that balances the flexibility of BYOD with the stringent security requirements of corporate IT.
Moreover, Divide’s approach can be particularly useful for freelancers and remote workers who often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities on a single device. By compartmentalizing their work and personal lives, they can better manage their time and tasks without the risk of cross-contamination of data.
Divide is currently available in Beta form for Android devices; we’ll be rolling out invites over the next few weeks but you can also request an invite. This phased rollout allows the developers to gather feedback and make necessary improvements before a full-scale launch.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, solutions like Divide are becoming increasingly important. They offer a practical way to navigate the complexities of modern work environments, ensuring that users can enjoy the best of both worlds without compromising on security or convenience.
Via Technology Review
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