Apple Secures NATO Approval for iPhone and iPad to Handle Classified Information
Apple Inc. has proudly announced a significant milestone: its iPhone and iPad devices have received official approval to manage classified information up to the NATO Restricted level.
This landmark certification follows a comprehensive evaluation conducted by the German government, positioning these devices as the inaugural consumer products authorised for such sensitive usage across NATO member countries.
As articulated by the technology giant, iPhone and iPad stand as the first and sole consumer gadgets compliant with NATO’s stringent information assurance criteria.
This endorsement facilitates the utilisation of these devices for classified data without necessitating supplementary software or special configuration procedures.
The certification builds on a previous affirmation from Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), which sanctioned the iPhone and iPad for processing classified data pertaining to the German government, leveraging the inherent security features of iOS and iPadOS.
Devices operating on iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are now validated for applications with NATO Restricted information throughout all NATO nations.
In the evaluation process, BSI undertook an array of technical assessments, exhaustive testing protocols, and comprehensive security analyses evaluating Apple’s platform security capabilities.
These analyses substantiated that the integrated hardware and software safeguards sufficiently met the operational and assurance standards of NATO countries.
Claudia Plattner, BSI’s president, remarked, The successful digital transformation hinges on the incorporation of information security from the inception of mobile product development.
Building upon BSI’s meticulous audit of iOS and iPadOS security for classified German data environments, we are pleased to affirm compliance with NATO nations’ assurance criteria.
Apple’s strategy weaves security throughout its hardware, software, and Apple silicon, thereby offering robust protections, including encryption, biometric authentication via Face ID, and Memory Integrity Enforcement.
These integrated features have now attained formal acknowledgement as compliant with international security protocols for restricted information.
The certification also secures a place for iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 within the NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue. Apple heralds this listing as a substantial achievement for its mobile ecosystem.
Ivan Krstić, Apple’s vice president of Security Engineering and Architecture, stated, “This accomplishment underscores Apple’s innovative transformation in delivering security solutions.
Historically, secure devices were confined to elite governmental and enterprise sectors, necessitating substantial investments in tailored security frameworks.
Apple has redefined this landscape by creating the most secure devices globally for all users, with these protective measures now uniquely certified under NATO standards—distinguishing them from any other devices in the sector.”
Source link: Defence-industry.eu.
