Apple is reportedly preparing to send out jailbroken iPhone devices to the first participants of its Security Research Device (SRD) program, which is meant to facilitate iOS security research.
The SRD program centers on specially configured iPhones that are less locked down than consumer devices, allowing security researchers to more easily find flaws and vulnerabilities. The program was announced in August 2019, and Apple began accepting applications for it in July 2020.
On Tuesday, Apple began notifying the first applicants who will be receiving the specialized iPhones, according to
MacRumors. The company says that the devices will be sent out right away.
Chris Velazco/Engadget
The security experts participating in Apple’s Security Research Device (SRD) Program may soon be receiving their hacker-friendly iPhones. According to
MacRumors, the tech giant has notified the first batch of participants that their SRD phones will be sent out right away. iPhones for the program behave like their standard counterparts, but they provide security researchers with more access so participants can run any tools they need to be able to find vulnerabilities.
Apple first announced the program back in July “to help improve security for all iOS users.” Researchers will get to keep the SRD phones they’re provided for 12 months, but it’s on a renewable basis if they want to keep participating after the year is up. They’re obligated to report any vulnerability they find, test or validate on the research device to Apple or to the developer if the bug is in a third-party code. That said, participants can still take part in Apple’s bug bounty
Apple is reportedly preparing to send out jailbroken iPhone devices to the first participants of its Security Research Device (SRD) program, which is meant to facilitate iOS security research.
Credit: Apple
The SRD program centers on specially configured iPhones that are less locked down than consumer devices, allowing security researchers to more easily find flaws and vulnerabilities. The program was announced in August 2019, and Apple began accepting applications for it in July 2020.
On Tuesday, Apple began notifying the first applicants who will be receiving the specialized iPhones, according to
MacRumors. The company says that the devices will be sent out right away.
Posted by Rajesh Pandey on Jul 22, 2020 in iPhone News, News
Last year, Apple had announced at the Black Hat security conference that it will be providing security researchers with ‘jailbroken’ iPhones to allow them to find more vulnerabilities in iOS. Almost a year later, the company will finally start providing these iPhones to security researchers and analysts that meet the eligibility criteria.
The Apple Security Research Device Program is “designed to help improve security for all iOS users, bring more researchers to iPhone, and improve efficiency for those who already work on iOS security. It features an iPhone dedicated exclusively to security research, with unique code execution and containment policies.”
Power in numbers on December 23, 2020, 10:11
In a nutshell: SRD iPhones are provided on a 12-month renewable basis, we’re told, and remain the property of Apple. They aren’t meant for personal use or as your daily carry; instead, they must remain on the premises of program participants at all times. Vulnerabilities found using the SDR must be reported to Apple, and if the bug is found in third-party code, to the appropriate third party.
Apple is finally making good on its promise to seed hacker-friendly iPhones to those participating in its Security Research Device (SRD) program.
As was announced back in July, the SDR program is meant to help improve security for all iOS users by bringing more security researchers to the platform and improve efficiency for those already working on iOS security. Participants will receive a special iPhone that offers shell access, allowing users to run any tools and choose their entitlements.