Open Kernel Labs (OK Labs), a provider of embedded virtualization software for smartphones, tablets and other connected devices, has formed a partnership with Fixmo., a supplier of Fixmo Sentinel for smartphones, to create and commercialize a highly secure Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) mobile platform targeting the military, federal government, and civilian organizations.

Both companies are creating a reference solution that combines mobile virtualization with firmware and system software for integrity assurance, policy compliance, and device audit, company officials said.

The solution allows original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of smartphones and tablets, as well as integrators, operators and organizational IT departments, to isolate user (personal) and organizational data and apps, and ensure integrity of applications and sensitive content over time.

The joint solution ensures the security and integrity of organizational and personal data and applications on a single device, including off-the-shelf smartphones and tablets, according to company officials.

The solution enables the Fixmo Sentinel to run in a separate virtual machine built on the OKL4 Microvisor. It helps mobile operators and IT departments in government and the private sector roll out and maintain secure mobility programs for employees

The OK Labs/Fixmo solution also features tracking/profiling application images over time (by sizes and checksums), activity monitoring and auditing.

With this partnership with Fixmo, OK Labs demonstrates its value proposition for enabling highly secure mobile devices, in both government and civilian organizations, said Carl Nerup, VP Business Development, OK Labs.

“OK Labs SecureIT Mobile, combined with the Fixmo offering, enables a secure environment that ensures trusted access to mission-critical resources and provides best-in-class capabilities for integrity assurance, policy compliance, and device audit,” Nerup added.

The new solution gives device manufacturers, integrators, and IT staff an unparalleled tool set for rolling out, securing and maintaining employee mobility programs with COTS hardware and software, according to Rick Segal, Fixmo co-founder and CEO. “Together, our companies are creating a solution to address holistic needs for highly secure mobile devices in a range of public and private sector applications.”

The companies are creating a reference design for evaluation and deployment by key U.S. Government agencies and also targeting "personal liability devices" in sectors such as healthcare and financial services, according to company officials.

The companies expect to market this combined solution in 3Q 2011 for devices based on Android (News - Alert) and other open mobile OSes.

Recently OKLabs introduced SecureIT Mobile Enterprise, a software and services solution based on the company's OKL4 Microvisor. The OK Labs solution enables the mobile/wireless ecosystem -- device manufacturers (OEMs), mobile network operators (MNOs), integrators and enterprise IT -- to build, acquire, and deploy wireless communications devices based on Android and other open operating systems (OSes) to support enterprise mobility, the company said.