Apple has announced that its iPhone and iPad devices now meet the information assurance standards established by NATO. This milestone allows these mainstream consumer devices to process and store classified information up to the “NATO Restricted” level—without requiring additional security software or specialized configuration changes.
According to Apple, these are currently the only consumer mobile devices to achieve certification at this level within NATO’s security framework.
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How the Certification Was Achieved
The approval follows an extensive evaluation led by Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, or BSI). The process included detailed technical assessments, structured testing phases, and in-depth security analysis to ensure compliance with NATO’s operational and assurance requirements.
Key Stages of Approval
Earlier National Validation
Before this broader NATO certification, the BSI had already assessed iPhones and iPads for use with classified German government data. That approval was granted based solely on the devices’ built-in iOS and iPadOS security architecture—without relying on external security tools.
Expanded NATO Scope
The latest certification applies specifically to devices running iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. With this approval, the authorization extends beyond Germany to all NATO member nations for handling information classified at the “NATO Restricted” level.
Official NATO Registry Inclusion
Following confirmation that Apple’s platforms met all operational and assurance criteria, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 were added to NATO’s official Information Assurance Product Catalogue. This listing formally recognizes the platforms as compliant for restricted-level use.
Security Architecture Under Review
The certification is grounded in Apple’s native security design. The evaluation focused on how protections are embedded across hardware, operating system software, and Apple silicon processors.
Several built-in components contributed to meeting NATO’s stringent requirements:
End-to-End Encryption
Comprehensive data protection for both stored data and data in transit.Biometric Authentication
Access control enforced through Face ID, strengthening user-level security.Hardware-Based Safeguards
Features such as Memory Integrity Enforcement and secure boot architecture built directly into Apple silicon.
Because these protections are deeply integrated into the system architecture, no third-party software modifications or additional security layers were required to meet compliance standards.
What This Means
The certification marks a significant moment in the convergence of consumer technology and government-grade security. By meeting NATO’s restricted-level information assurance standards using only native security features, Apple has demonstrated that commercial mobile devices can satisfy rigorous international requirements without custom hardening.
For defense personnel, government agencies, and NATO-aligned institutions, this expands the flexibility of secure mobility—allowing approved iPhones and iPads to operate within restricted data environments while maintaining standard device configurations.
It also signals a broader shift: modern consumer platforms are increasingly capable of supporting secure, high-assurance use cases traditionally reserved for specialized hardware.
As security expectations continue to evolve, this milestone positions Apple’s mobile ecosystem as a trusted option within regulated and defense-focused environments.