Apple Beefs Up Cloud Encryption to Protect Data

Apple is adding three new tools to help users protect their data in the cloud.

The new security features will be rolled out over the next year, Apple said in a Wednesday (Dec. 7) press release.

“We constantly identify and mitigate emerging threats to their personal data on device and in the cloud,” Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi said in the release. “Our security teams work tirelessly to keep users’ data safe, and 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.”

The new iMessage Contact Key Verification enables users to verify that they are messaging with only the people they intend — and that no one is eavesdropping. This feature is to be available globally in 2023.

Security Keys for Apple ID lets users choose to require a third-party physical security key to sign into their Apple ID account, preventing hackers from obtaining the second factor in two-factor authentication via a phishing scheme. This feature is to be available globally in early 2023.

The third new feature, Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, provides Apple’s highest level of cloud data security and can now be applied to 23 categories of data, including iCloud Backup, Photos, Notes and other iCloud data. This feature is now available in the United States for members of the Apple Beta Software Program, and is set to expand to all U.S. users by the end of the year and start rolling out internationally in early 2023.

PYMNTS research has found that 65% of consumers said a commercial brand’s or finance firm’s emphasis on data security has a high level of impact on trust.

In addition, 60% of consumers said that being given information about how their transactions are secured has a “very” or “extremely” large influence on trust in a brand or bank, according to “The Future Of Authentication In Financial Services Playbook: Finding The Balance Between Security And Convenience,” a PYMNTS and Entersekt collaboration.