Data At Rest

The Blink Mobility Platform is a pass-through service, and as such does not store data. However, there are times when data will need to be stored on a mobile device, such as when a user is using offline mode. Offline mode is designed to allow continued use of the answerSpace data when a mobile device is out of network coverage. This is especially important for field workers who may download a list of the day’s jobs, and will then need to view and update this data, or even submit forms, when out of mobile network coverage. As such, the two common requirements for local data storage on the device are as follows:

1. If the project is designed to store data locally for offline mode, or to streamline data handling and minimise the need to continually poll remote servers for general data that doesn’t change often and does not pose security risks.
2. Offline forms and pending queues: If the user submits a form when in offline mode (such as if there is no current mobile network coverage), the form data will be stored in the pending queue, which is data held on the device until the device once again goes online. When the pending queue is submitted, the data is then cleared off the mobile device. (for more details on offline mode, please see "Data Suitcases" in 202-Advanced Interactions.

When data is stored on a mobile device, it is held in a local storage area linked to that particular answerSpace/App Shell. If a device is lost or stolen, there may be a need to ensure this data is encrypted. The encryption and security standards used will depend on the type of device.

Android Devices

Android offers encryption as a standard setting on their devices so that the data on the device is encrypted when the device is in sleep mode, or powered down. This encryption is a standard option in the Settings menu, under Security. This will allow you to encrypt the data on the device, as well as data stored on an SD card (if used). This means when the device screen is locked, or when a device goes into sleep mode or is powered down, the data held on the device will be encrypted. To decrypt the data, the user will need to enter a PIN or password when the device is powered on again.

Apple Devices

iOS on Apple devices allows encryption on an app by app basis. The App Shell created by BlinkMobile can take advantage of this option. This means any data being stored by that particular app will be encrypted. Similar to the Android solution, this encryption takes place when the mobile device’s screen is locked, is in sleep mode, or is powered down. Additionally, a standard feature of iOS devices is the segregation of data, meaning only the app that creates the data is able to access it. Apps are not able to access data from other apps installed on the same device.