extreme measure that maximizes security for individuals who fear they may be the target of a complex cyberattack. The feature is set to debut later this fall as part of the company's software releases that were first previewed at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Apple continues to build on its software releases in the months between their announcement and official release, which explains why the security mode wasn't revealed earlier. Some changes are minor, while others are entirely new feature additions. Lockdown Mode isn't for the average — hence why it wasn't a part of the preview — but it is a big deal in the evolving state of global conflicts.
World issues often make their way into the technology industry, with both seen and unseen ripple effects. These worldly conflicts can affect both supply and demand as well as research and development. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, experts predicted that the microchip shortage would be extended since both countries export materials crucial to microchip fabrication. This is a very tangible way to see the effects of world conflicts on the technology industry, but others aren't so obvious. When issues persist, companies may shift their research and development priorities to correct the problem and find a solution. Privacy and security have always been priorities for Apple, but it's clear that continuing cyber threats have prompted the company to take extreme measures to protect the most targeted individuals.
Lockdown Mode isn't meant for the average that is infuriated with robocalls and spam texts. Instead, it's more suited for government agents and corporate executives who may be corporate or state-sponsored espionage targets. "While the vast majority of s will never be the victims of highly targeted cyberattacks, we will work tirelessly to protect the small number of s who are," said Ivan Krstić, head of Security Engineering and Architecture, in a press release. "That includes continuing to design defenses specifically for these s, as well as ing researchers and organizations around the world doing critically important work in exposing mercenary companies that create these digital attacks." The company singled out the NSO Group, an Israeli technology firm known for its zero-click remote surveillance of smartphones, as a state-sponsored organization Lockdown Mode aims to thwart.
How Lockdown Mode Protects An iPhone
Apple maintains that Lockdown Mode is an extreme measure to be taken by only individuals at high risk for targeted cyberattacks because the feature severely limits a device. When it is enabled, the smartphone doesn't function as expected. Certain complex websites are blocked by default unless they are exempted from Lockdown Mode protection. FaceTime calls cannot reach an iPhone unless it had previously initiated a call to the incoming phone number with Lockdown Mode enabled, and most message media are blocked aside from images. Wired connections are also completely blocked when the iPhone is locked, and mobile device management (MDM) services are unavailable on devices with Lockdown Mode.
The new mode comes at a time when cybersecurity risks for targeted individuals are at an all-time high. For the first time, the heads of the United States FBI and Britain's MI5 held a t platform proclaiming the threat of cyberattacks from other countries on July 6. "The Chinese government is set on stealing your technology—whatever it is that makes your industry tick—and using it to undercut your business and dominate your market," said FBI Director Christopher Wray in the speech, as reported by corporate or state-sponsored espionage and will be released with iOS 16, iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura this fall.
Source: Apple, The Wall Street Journal