Five iPhone Security Tips for IT Departments
By Brian Prince
Update Firmware to the Current Version
iPhones ship with the version of the firmware that was current at the time of manufacturing, but updates may have been released since then. Firmware updates include not only new features and bug fixes, but security fixes as well.
Set a Passcode
Users should configure the iPhone to require a passcode before it can be used. This can help make it more difficult for an unauthorized user to access any data on the device if it is lost or stolen.
Destroy Data if the Wrong Password Is Entered
Users should consider setting their phone to erase data stored on the device after an excessive number of passcode failures. CIS recommends it be set to erase after 10 failed access attempts.
Passcodes in the ICU
Users of the iPhone Configuration Utility (version 1.1.043) can do a number of things to ensure password strength, including requiring a mix of numbers and letters and setting a minimum passcode length.
Forgetting Wi-Fi Networks
A trusted but unauthenticated network can be spoofed and automatically joined if the phone isnt set to forget the network after it was last used. According to CIS, if such a network has a common SSID, such as “default” or “linksys”, it is probable the iPhone will encounter an untrusted instance of a same-named Wi-Fi network and automatically join it.