"NATO restricted": iPhones secure enough for defense alliance
iPhones with iOS 26 are now approved for NATO classified information – in their standard configuration with common Apple apps.
(Image: Sebastian Trepesch / heise medien)
Following the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), NATO has now also classified iPhones and iPads as secure enough for classified information – up to the level of “NATO restricted.” The use of devices with iOS and iPadOS 26 has been certified for use in all NATO countries, as Apple announced on Thursday. These are thus the “first and only consumer end devices” that meet these requirements, the manufacturer emphasized.
Apple Mail, Calendar, and Contacts are permitted
NATO has already included the Apple devices and operating systems in the updated “Information Assurance Product Catalogue,” which lists security-relevant products for use in NATO environments. iPhones offer secure access to emails, calendar, and contact data with Apple's standard apps, the Defense Alliance notes. Just like with the BSI, the “Indigo configuration” is used here – the smartphones and tablets are configured and managed via a mobile device management (MDM). Indigo is the acronym for “iOS Native Device In Government Operation.”
Videos by heise
Following an audit, the BSI had already cleared iPhones for use in federal authorities in 2022 – also here for use with classified information up to the category “For official use only.” This is the most common level of sensitive documents; three stricter confidentiality levels up to top secret are still above it. The technical assessments for NATO approval were also carried out by the BSI, according to Apple's announcement. The manufacturer is continuously working to “maintain the highest level of security on all its devices.”
Major order in Germany for Apple
The certification by the Federal Office for Information Security has already led to major orders for Apple: By the end of 2027, the federal administration intends to purchase up to 300,000 devices from the US group. Should the framework agreement concluded be fully utilized, the deal could be worth almost 770 million euros.
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
(lbe)
