Today iOS 6.0 was granted FIPS 140-2 certification. Specifically, the iOS CryptoCore Kernel Module 3.0 was assured by the federal National Institute of Standards and Technology to meet the security requirements of the government.
Now having FIPS certification means that both the iPhone and iPad can be used in federal agency applications and as well as in private enterprises that access those networks. It’s worth noting that FIPS certification doesn’t apply to the military – the Defense Information Systems Agency is working to certify iOS 6.0 on their own security standards. Though it is likely that iOS 6.0 will get that approval soon.
BlackBerry previously had the government’s business all but locked up, but their delays in getting BlackBerry 10 has proved to be detrimental to that business. While BlackBerry 10 already has FIPS certification, and just recently received the Department of Defense security approval, they are facing competition from Samsung’s Knox software, and iOS 6.0.
The U.S. government’s approval comes some seven months after the U.K. government first approved iOS 6-based iPhones and iPads. U.K. government workers are only allowed to use the devices for data deemed “restricted” or below.
