Apple iPhone and iPad Cleared for Classified NATO Use

Apple announced on Thursday that the iPhone and iPad have been approved by NATO to handle classified information and have been added to the military alliance’s Information Assurance Product Catalogue (NIAPC). 

The tech giant said its phones and tablets are the first consumer devices to receive this level of approval, specifically the ‘NATO RESTRICTED’ level.

The NIAPC is NATO’s official registry of vetted cybersecurity products that alliance members and its military/civil entities can use to meet critical operational security demands.

NIAPC enforces rigorous entry rules for listed security items: products typically must originate from NATO countries, carry approved certifications, obtain national authority sign-off, and demonstrate market-fit for NATO. Approval remains discretionary on a case-by-case basis, with violations risking delisting or suspension.

Their presence in the NIAPC enables iPhones and iPads to be used with classified information without requiring special software or settings. The listing specifies that the ...