LockBox

Designed for maximum security, LockBox safely stores sensitive information like passwords, documents, photos/videos, and financial accounts in one centralized location. Through this comprehensive solution, users can efficiently access their sensitive data without searching multiple places, while benefiting from reliable backup capabilities for documents and personal information.

SECTOR

Information Security, Identity and Access Management 

ROLE

Market Research, Wireframing/Prototyping (Lead), Information Architecture  

DATE

Feb - May 2024 (10 weeks)

Key Results
Impact & Overview
Advanced security measures protect all stored data through two-factor authentication, password generation, strength verification, and auto-lock/self-destruct functionality. With these robust safeguards in place, users can confidently manage their sensitive information without fear of data breaches or theft.

Security-conscious individuals, organizations, and investors will find value in this comprehensive solution, whether for personal use, partnership opportunities, or implementation recommendations.

Smart organization sets LockBox apart through its intuitive categorization system, enabling quick information retrieval without wading through disorganized files. Secure sharing capabilities allow trusted contacts to exchange information while maintaining strict security protocols, making LockBox the ideal protected environment for managing all types of personal information ranging from documents and media to passwords and beyond.
Discovery
A competitive review of five platforms (Keeper, Norton, Bitwarden, Dropbox, and Google Drive) revealed both valuable features and persistent gaps, especially in usability, integration, and cohesive storage experiences. These insights directly informed the vision for LockBox as an all-in-one solution.

Additional analysis of app store reviews, product documentation, and published user feedback revealed more frustrations. Clunky interfaces, fragmented functionality, and limited support for storing diverse types of sensitive information.
Data entry often manual
This creates an error-prone process for users.
Opportunity:
Enable seamless data import from existing services using trusted APIs.
Unintuitive and laggy interfaces
Requires users to switch between multiple platforms.
Opportunity:
Design a simple, user-friendly interface and "quick in and out" workflows.
Lack of diverse storage options
Little support for broader document and identity storage.
Opportunity:
Differentiate  to include legal documents, IDs, financial data, and more.
Compliance and cybersecurity threat concerns
Among individuals and organizations
Opportunity:
Meet industry standards (HIPAA and GDPR). Include Multi-factor authentication.
Encryption and doc organization
Dropbox and Google Drive are weak in these areas.
Opportunity:
Offer robust categorization, search, and end-to-end encryption.
Personas
To build empathy and guide design decisions, we crafted personas representing three core user groups: individuals (18+), personal groups (e.g., families or friends), and businesses. These personas helped tailor the interface and information architecture to the unique needs, goals, and security concerns of each audience.
User Types
Drawing from market research and competitive analysis, LockBox offers tailored feature sets across three plans: Individual, Family, and Business. Each plan is designed to meet the unique needs of its user group, ensuring relevant functionality, ease of use, and enhanced security. This tiered approach not only supports a diverse user base but also delivers meaningful value by aligning features with real-world use cases.
Information Architecture
Metadata Schema
Understanding LockBox’s backend starts with metadata schemas, which help organize and define the structure of data stored in the app. Our first focus is on Summary Item Type Tables, which provide a clear overview of the various item types.‍
Click to see the full schema.
Metadata Records
Below is an example of the metadata records within the LockBox app.

An upload named “Homework_3” sees underscores used in place of spaces for clarity and consistency in naming conventions. This file is a PDF, sized at 1.1MB, and was last modified on April 15, 2024, at 5:03 PM. Only the account owner has access to it. It’s organized under the “INST311” folder and tagged with the keyword “School”, allowing for quick identification and searchability. ‍
Click here for the full records.
Screen Mockups
Below are key screens that make up the LockBox application: the homepage with upload functionality, robust search and filtering tools, a search example, and the results interface.

To ensure maximum security, users must authenticate using Face ID both when opening the app and again before accessing any documents or passwords.  These mockups reflect LockBox’s top priorities: a secure, intuitive experience for storing and accessing sensitive digital content. From upload to retrieval, every interaction is designed to be fast, organized, and protected.
Conclusion
LockBox is a powerful security tool designed to safeguard your most sensitive digital assets. With features like advanced encryption, customizable access controls, secure storage, and a user-friendly interface, LockBox delivers a seamless experience without compromising on security.

Key Highlights:

Whether you're a student managing academic files, a professional handling confidential documents, or simply someone who values digital security, LockBox is your trusted partner in protecting what matters most. Thank you for considering LockBox. Stay safe, and stay secure.
  • Advanced Encryption
  • Access Control & Permissions
  • Convenient, Organized Storage
  • User-Centered Design
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
  • Secure Sharing Options