iPhone 7 Ousts Samsung Handset as 'Device of Choice' For U.K. Defense Officials [Updated]

[MacRumors]

The U.K.'s Ministry of Defense has chosen Apple's iPhone 7 over Samsung as the "device of choice" for its military personnel, according to a report by TechRepublic this week.

Telecoms company BT is said to be working with the country's MoD to harden the security of the phone so that military officers can discuss and store sensitive information on the device. Steve Bunn, technical business manager for defense at BT, said the phone would eventually be capable of being switched between different modes depending on which security level was appropriate.

Photo: Harland Quarrington/MOD​

"We've been working very closely with them to develop what we've commonly called a 'dual-persona device'. Essentially this means you can have voice at official and at secret."

BT is also working with the MoD to create "secure storage containers" on the device to hold sensitive data, revealed Bunn.

BT is said to have begun using a Samsung Note 4 to develop the bespoke military communications device, but testing quickly revealed that the security of the Android OS wasn't sufficient and the project was transferred to Apple's phone.

Despite Apple's high-profile reputation for upholding iOS security standards, the MoD's switch to iPhone bucks a trend in the defense industry, which tends to prefer phones running Android because of the ease with which the operating system can be altered.

As noted by TechRepublic, the GSMK CryptoPhone, which runs a heavily stripped-down version of Android, is currently in active use among military and security bodies around the world.

Update: BT has since contacted MacRumors with the following statement: "We would like to clarify that the MoD has not expressed any views about the suitability of dual-persona technology from specific handset/technology vendors and is prototyping a range of devices."

Article Link: iPhone 7 Ousts Samsung Handset as 'Device of Choice' For U.K. Defense Officials [Updated]

 

[djcerla]

It seems almost incredible that it wasn't the case from the start.

 

[geenosr]

I guess that the Russia hacking scandal pushed them into this direction....

 

[69Mustang]

It seems almost incredible that it wasn't the case from the start.

Not that incredible. We use (US) Samsung's as well.

 

[5105973]

Now to get the Ministry of Silly Walks on board and Tim shall rule the world!

 

[960design]

It seems almost incredible that it wasn't the case from the start.

Billion dollar aircraft are running Windows. Above top secret military / contractor groups are running Windows.

Four stages of security ( one armed ) to get into the building, not to count the perimeter guards and ID / vehicle inspection at the entry gates and they are running Windows.

Me = completely baffled

 

[smacrumon]

This means nothing. Call me when iPhone gets the same interest, excitement and market share it did during the years 2007-2012.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Billion dollar aircraft are running Windows. Above top secret military / contractor groups are running Windows.

It's Windows XP too, if I'm not mistaken! Or possibly even earlier.

I heard the entire US nuclear program still uses 8-inch floppy disks. Less to go wrong I suppose; well, unless you've got a magnet within a 10 mile radius.

Pretty scary how many things seem to be running on hopes and bubblegum. Mind you, they got a man on the moon using a 'computer' that essentially served a calculator, so who are we to judge.

 

[chr1s60]

This means nothing. Call me when iPhone gets the same interest, excitement and market share it did during the years 2007-2012.

That is like asking Ford to bring back the market share of the Model T. It won't happen. The cell phone industry is extremely more competitive now than it was then. Back then the market was content with where they were. Today every manufacturer is trying to find the next killer feature and it's likely that nobody will ever get a multiple year lead again like Apple did with iOS and iPhone.

 

[kdarling]

Hmm. Since it's unlikely that they're going to use a custom iOS, it sounds like they're just going to write some apps.

Probably a secure documents storage and viewer, a secure email, and an encrypted voice comms app using data instead of cellular.

 

[yanksfan114]

Hmm. Since it's unlikely that they're going to use a custom iOS, it sounds like they're just going to write some apps.

Probably a secure documents storage and viewer, a secure email, and an encrypted voice comms app using data instead of cellular.

Yeah their customization of iOS can only go so far compared to android which is obviously why it can be more secure. Interested about this dual persona mode though.

 

[robotica]

I would imagine it would be a custom app or apps they would use.

 

[RDowson]

The devices will just be enrolled in an MDM (so they can disable the camera, etc.) and they will have secure apps for file storage. They'll probably use a secure VoIP app for calls. Simple stuff but the key thing is the security of the OS that it sits on. iOS ticks all the boxes.
They're probably also using DEP and VPP so re-provisioning can be done in the field without needing the device to be returned to base. This is one of Android for Work's major flaws right now.

 

[Saipher]

Well, no surprise there... This would be "news" if they decided to go with an Android phone instead.

 

[Bodycalming]

Does this mean this is the end of the so called snoopers charter in the UK or will there be a IOSMinistry version?

 

[djcerla]

(edited)

 

[Mac 128]

The devices will just be enrolled in an MDM (so they can disable the camera, etc.) and they will have secure apps for file storage. They'll probably use a secure VoIP app for calls. Simple stuff but the key thing is the security of the OS that it sits on. iOS ticks all the boxes.
They're probably also using DEP and VPP so re-provisioning can be done in the field without needing the device to be returned to base. This is one of Android for Work's major flaws right now.

Since there's no headphone jack, are Bluetooth connections completely secure and unhackable? Or will they be required to use Lightning headphones and/or adapters?

 

[Speedy Dingo]

Wouldn't it make more sense for them to use the Note7? You know, just in case they ran out of grenades in the field...

 

[apolloa]

Not really surprised by this I have to say. It's probably better then when they leave the phones on trains and busses, they'll have some decent security.

 

[kdarling]

Since there's no headphone jack, are Bluetooth connections completely secure and unhackable? Or will they be required to use Lightning headphones and/or adapters?

Excellent point about BT audio being something that could be intercepted and heard. (Edit: a Google search reveals that this has actually be done up to a mile away using a high gain antenna.)

This applies not only to BT headphones, but in a car speaker situation as well.

Bet they disable it.

 

[heimo]

Indirect fire immediately at the following coord...
Siri: I'm sorry I can't help you with that.

 

[dontwalkhand]

It seems almost incredible that it wasn't the case from the start.

The US uses Samsung as well for DoD! Hopefully we will go Apple.

 

[RDowson]

Since there's no headphone jack, are Bluetooth connections completely secure and unhackable? Or will they be required to use Lightning headphones and/or adapters?

iOS 10 allows Bluetooth to be disabled via MDM policy.

The UK National Cyber Security Centre End User Device Guidance for iOS 10 says the following:
"A new MDM policy setting (Allow modifying Bluetooth settings) has been added in iOS 10 to restrict Bluetooth modification. This could be set to further reduce the attack surface, but would prevent legitimate functionality."

"Enabling external interfaces means increasing the exposed attack surface, and data could be inadvertently or maliciously leaked without organisation visibility. Therefore a risk based decision should be made to determine if this control is appropriate."

 

[smacrumon]

That is like asking Ford to bring back the market share of the Model T. It won't happen. The cell phone industry is extremely more competitive now than it was then. Back then the market was content with where they were. Today every manufacturer is trying to find the next killer feature and it's likely that nobody will ever get a multiple year lead again like Apple did with iOS and iPhone.

Nah, it's totally possible. Apple needs to decide in 2017 whether it wants to continue mediocrity, or it wants to blow the world's psyche again.

 

[CallMeAlan]

The U.K.'s Ministry of Defense has chosen Apple's iPhone 7 over Samsung as the "device of choice" for its military personnel, according to a report by TechRepublic this week.

Telecoms company BT is said to be working with the country's MoD to harden the security of the phone so that military officers can discuss and store sensitive information on the device. Steve Bunn, technical business manager for defense at BT, said the phone would eventually be capable of being switched between different modes depending on which security level was appropriate.

Photo: Harland Quarrington/MOD​

BT is also working with the MoD to create "secure storage containers" on the device to hold sensitive data, revealed Bunn.

BT is said to have begun using a Samsung Note 4 to develop the bespoke military communications device, but testing quickly revealed that the security of the Android OS wasn't sufficient and the project was transferred to Apple's phone.

Despite Apple's high-profile reputation for upholding iOS security standards, the MoD's switch to iPhone bucks a trend in the defense industry, which tends to prefer phones running Android because of the ease with which the operating system can be altered.

As noted by TechRepublic, the GSMK CryptoPhone, which runs a heavily stripped-down version of Android, is currently in active use among military and security bodies around the world.

Article Link: iPhone 7 Ousts Samsung Handset as 'Device of Choice' For U.K. Defense Officials

[doublepost=1485534847][/doublepost]I think you'll find that we call it the Ministry of Defence, ie, we spell defence correctly.