Apple on Thursday published the latest edition of its Platform Security Guide, which provides detailed technical information on the security technologies and features implemented in its products.
Apple started releasing security guides for its iOS operating system in 2015 and since 2019 has been publishing platform security guides that encompass information on iOS, macOS and hardware.
The platform security guide was previously updated in April 2020 and that version had 157 pages. The latest version has nearly 200 pages and Apple has described it as its biggest update ever.
The document provides information on hardware security and biometrics, system security, encryption and data protection, app security, security services, network security, developer kit security, and secure device management.
The new platform security guide includes informational updates for iOS, iPadOS and tvOS 14.3, macOS 11.1 and watchOS 7.2. It also includes several new topics, including memory safe iBoot implementation, boot process and modes for Macs with Apple chips, startup disk security policy control for Macs with Apple silicon, information on LocalPolicy, signed system volume security in macOS, the Password Monitoring feature, IPv6 security, car keys security in iOS, and iPhones designed for security research.
The guide also includes updates to topics such as Secure Enclave, hardware microphone disconnect, recoveryOS and diagnostics environments for Intel-based devices, DMA protections, kernel extensions in macOS, System Integrity Protection, watchOS security, Apple Cash security, Wi-Fi privacy, Activation Lock security, Apple Configurator 2 security, Business Chat security, and some password-related topics.
The document also includes information on Apple’s new M1 chips, which bring several security improvements.
A researcher recently discovered the first piece of Mac malware created specifically for devices with M1 chips.
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