Cryptographic certification could lead to wider iPhone use in government

Last week saw the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Computer Security Division granting FIPS 140-2 certification (via TUAW) to Apple iOS CoreCrypto Kernel Module v3.0. The Division tested the cryptographic module on an iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPad running iOS 6.0.

"Apple iOS CoreCrypto Kernel Module is a software cryptographic module running on a multi-chip standalone mobile device and provides services intended to protect data in transit and at rest," the division's report reads.

The iOS module met Level 1 of Federal Information Processing Standard 140-2, the lowest level of security, as it has no required physical security components beyond the standard production-grade iPhone components.

FIPS approval could open a path to wider adoption of the iPhone in government operations. The Department of Defense is said to be close already to approving devices running iOS 6 for use within its operations after conducting its own separate evaluation of the technology.