In the Google I/O 2015 event, Google's R&D division,
ATAP (Advanced Technology And Projects) - the same team that develops the
Project Ara - reveal the presence of a new project called Project Vault.
Basically, Project Vault is a microSD card and at the same time is a tiny
computer.
The smartphone has been equipped with its own computing
brain, so what's benefit can be drawn from this tiny computer? Well, Project
Vault is designed to improve digital security, without having to rely on a
password or the like.
From the outside, the Google Project Vault looks not much
different from the microSD card in general. However, this devise has been
equipped with ARM processor, NFC chip and antenna, plus internal storage
capacity of 4 GB.
Project Vault also runs its own operating system, which is
called RTOS (Real Time Operating System). In line with the intended mission,
the OS emphasizes on privacy and data security.
So how Project Vault secures the user's data? In the
demonstration session, Google ATAP team demonstrates the Project Vault ability
to encrypt the chat between two users that take place on IM application
(Instant Messaging).
Simply put, Project Vault will ensure that incoming and
outgoing data doesn't pass through the cellular network, but rather through the
Vault network that has been encrypted well. This means that mobile network
operators can't 'tap' the conversation on the IM application. Privacy is a
priority here, and the Project Vault is believed can also encrypt the video.
In addition to being a 'bodyguard' for incoming and outgoing
data, Google Project Vault also wants to eliminate the user's dependence on
password. The MicroSD card is claimed to be able to recognize the user's typing
pattern or usage pattern and then make sure that other people who have different
patterns will not be able to access the smartphone.
For example, Project Vault will learn that at certain hours
you usually watch videos on YouTube, and read articles using Chrome browser.
When someone else tries to open your smartphone, Project Vault can recognize
that the usage pattern is not the same with your pattern as the owner, and then
it will lock the device so that the stranger can't access your smartphone.
The unique authentication method is called 'trust score'.
Google ATAP claims this method can be 10 times more secure than using a
password as we have done so far.
So far, Google ATAP has released open source development kit
for Project Vault at GitHub. In the future, Google plans to make Project Vault
hardware that can be used by wider consumers.