Apple today introduced several new security features focused on defending against threats to user data in the cloud, including end-to-end backup encryption for iCloud users.
Along with end-to-end encryption for iCloud, Apple's cloud computing and storage platform, the company announced iMessage power key verification, which allows users to verify that they're only communicating with whom they want to. .
AppleApple also announced hardware security keys for Apple ID, giving users the option to require two-factor authentication to sign in to their Apple ID account. (Hardware security keys use devices, such as USB keys or Near Field Communication (NFC) dongles, to enable access to a service or application.)
Calling it Advanced Data Protection, Apple said it expands iCloud's encryption capabilities of 14 "categories of sensitive data" protected by end-to-end encryption into 23 new categories; These categories of protected data will include backups, contacts, notes, photos, voice memos, and wallet passes. Previously, iCloud's end-to-end encryption capabilities only applied to the most sensitive data, like iCloud Keychain passwords and personal health data.
The only categories of data not yet covered by Advanced Data Protection are iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar, as they are needed "to interact with global mail, contacts, and calendar systems," Apple said in a statement.
Advanced Data Protection for iCloud is available today in the US for members of Apple's Beta Software Program and will be available to all US users by the end of the year. The feature will begin rolling out to the rest of the world in early 2023, Apple said.
iMessage contact key verification will be available worldwide in 2023, and security keys for Apple ID will be available worldwide in early 2023.
AppleWith security keys, users can choose third-party hardware security keys to create a two-factor authentication scheme.
The feature is designed for users who, often because of their public profiles, face concerted threats to their online accounts, including celebrities, journalists and government officials, Apple said.
"With iMessage Contact Key Verification, Security Keys, and Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, users will have three powerful new tools to further protect their most sensitive data and communications," said Craig Federighi, senior vice president. Apple Software Engineering.
Apple said enhanced data security features for iCloud are needed "more than ever" as the number of data breaches more than tripled between 2013 and 2021, "exposing 1.100 billion personal records worldwide in 2021 alone." ".
“Increasingly, companies in the technology industry are addressing this growing threat by implementing end-to-end encryption into their offerings,” Apple said.
Apple, however, has been slow to follow encryption. For example, over a year ago, Facebook's WhatsApp added full encryption for messages and data backup.
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