The iPhone in your pocket is now trusted for classified NATO data

"The devices are now officially approved to handle classified NATO information up to the 'restricted' level. This is not about specialized, rugged phones built for the military or locked-down, government-only hardware. It applies to regular iPhones and iPads running standard iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. According to Apple, no other consumer devices currently have this distinction."

"This approval comes down to how Apple builds security into its products. Newer iPhones and iPads rely on Apple silicon with a Secure Enclave that isolates sensitive data like encryption keys and biometric information. They also use protections such as Face ID, Touch ID, and Memory Integrity Enforcement, which blocks entire classes of memory-based attacks before they can run."

"Now, iPhones and iPads running iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are certified for use across all NATO nations. They are listed in the NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue, alongside traditional defense and government vendors."

Apple announced that NATO approved iPhones and iPads running iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 to handle classified NATO information at the 'restricted' level, the lowest classified tier. This approval applies to standard consumer devices, not specialized military hardware. The certification followed Germany's Federal Office for Information Security evaluation and now extends across all NATO nations. Apple's security architecture, including Apple silicon with Secure Enclave, Face ID, Touch ID, and Memory Integrity Enforcement, met NATO-level assurance requirements. iPhones and iPads are now listed in the NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue alongside traditional defense vendors.

Read at ZDNET