The German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) investigated the overall security of iOS and iPadOS smartphones and tablets. The analysis confirmed the efficacy of Apple’s integrated security functions.
The BSI concluded that the applications for e-mail, calendar and contacts incorporated in standard iPhones and iPads are secure, even when handling confidential information. The report is noteworthy for businesses, but not so much for regular users. The BSI said that Apple’s operating system plays a central role in the enhanced security of iPhones and iPads.
BSI clears iPhones and iPads
Based on the test results, the BSI was able to clear consumer iPhones and iPads for use by German government agencies. This also applies to authorities that work with classified data “for official use only”. The BSI’s standards for user behaviour, secure access to infrastructures through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and usage of a Mobile Device Management System (MDM) must be followed for this purpose.
Based on the outcome, the BSI has agreed to continue working with Apple. The authority will periodically test subsequent versions of iOS and iPadOS. The collaboration between Apple and BSI is expected to continue concerning security for mobile phones. The first follow-up investigations for iOS and iPadOS usage by German government agencies will be concluded in 2022.
iOS 16 and iPadOS 16
Recently, Apple released iOS 16 and new versions of iOS 15.7 and iPadOS 15.7. The latter updates are meant for users who cannot upgrade to iOS 16, while iPadOS 15.7 is suitable for users waiting for iPadOS 16 to launch sometime later this month. The updates can be downloaded on all valid iPhones by navigating to ‘Settings’, ‘General’ and ‘Software Update’.
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