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Virtualization for Mobile Devices Solution
Description: Virtualization for mobile devices solution. Runtime switching between virtual OS instances (Android) to provide personal and corporate security.
Client: Research Institute, South Asia.
Challenge: The main challenge included high-level performance with the solution that did not have any precedents. The main goal of the project was to provide high security level for corporate customers who use the same devices for both business and private needs. The private information had to be separated from the corporate, and the corporate one at the same time had to be protected. Resolving the problem became possible through implementing the option to switch back and forth between two instances of Android OS. The device was initially provided and based on the Cortex A8 (S5PC100; ARMv7 architecture). This solution became a challenge at the same time because full mobile virtualization is hindered because of hardware limitations and performance level in such conditions.
Solution: We started with a profound feasibility research and innovative solution concepts to give the customer a unique solution that does not have any analogues and let him enter the market as the first one with this idea. For the full mobile virtualization our team made it possible to load multiple operating systems on one device where only one OS is active. These instances are running independently on the same device providing the needed level of security. Our team used various approaches and tools as reverse engineering for hardware drivers, virtualization platforms, disassemblers, and debuggers. A user-friendly OS switching interface was created for better usability and switching time was minimized to less than one second. After changing the instance the user comes back to the same place in the same task as it was before switching (from editing a conference room document to a private text message, for example).
