The German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has evaluated Apple’s solutions and issued a security clearance allowing iPhone and iPad devices to process information classified as “official”. This applies to native, built-in mail, calendar, and contacts applications, without the need for paid add-ons, extensions, or third-party applications.
BSI has examined the general security properties and the possibilities for secure use of the devices and in particular the iOS and iPadOS operating systems. The test confirms the effectiveness of the embedded security functions and concludes that the e-mail applications integrated into commercially available iPhones and iPads, calendar and contacts also represent an addition to the existing portfolio of secure mobile solutions when processing classified information in the “for official use only” category.
“Secure digitization works particularly well if information security is taken into account from the outset in the development of IT products,” BSI chairman, Arne Schönbohm, was quoted as saying in an official press release. “We consider the present audit result on the security of iOS and iPadOS devices as an important milestone.”
A key factor in the security of iPhones and iPads is the Apple iOS and iPadOS systems installed on these devices. Apple has agreed to an independent assessment of the central security functions of the operating system and has worked closely with the BSI to do so.
Based on this result, BSI has agreed to continue this cooperation with Apple. Future versions of iOS and iPadOS will now be regularly checked by the BSI. In addition, increased collaboration between Apple and the BSI is also planned with a view to security in the field of mobile IT.
The first follow-up developments for use in the official sector are set to be completed in 2022.