Apple products are displayed at a store in central Seoul in this file photo taken on Oct. 7, 2022. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — New security standards will allow Apple Inc.’s iPhone and iPad devices to be used at state or public institutions, a South Korean spy agency said Wednesday.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced the security requirements for iOS and iPadOS devices used at state institutions via its official website.
The NIS plans to accept additional feedback by Jan. 20 before finalizing the security standards and implementing them next month.
Industry sources say that public institutions will be able to introduce Apple devices as early as this year, once relevant procedures are complete.
The NIS announced plans to develop new security standards for iPhone devices in June last year, engaging in discussions with relevant agencies.
There have been numerous requests to allow not only Android devices but also Apple devices to be used in the public sector.
Recently, Apple has made improvements in its mobile device management (MDM) function to qualify for government requirements, NIS said.
The NIS had initially planned to allow the use of devices owned by the institutions only. Now, however, personal devices can also be registered for use at public institutions by undertaking proper security procedures.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
