An Inside Look at Apple's Stringent Security Practices

On Friday, Ars Technica released an exhaustive report documenting Apple's security techniques, hoping to lay rumors to rest regarding the tech giant's alleged assignment of fake projects to its Cupertino team of engineers. While no evidence of fake projects surfaced, the report does give a peek into the generally stonwalled Apple's very stringent security measures, which are designed to deter potential defectors and catch perpetrators quickly.

Image Credit: Nan Palmero

One method Apple is able to keep its products under wraps is, unsurprisingly, a very strict and thorough NDA system. Ars confirmed, through interviews with former Apple employees, that even components that may someday wind up in any marketable product are kept under strict NDA, holding engineers liable for sharing information (even with each other), and perpetuating an environment that reinforces a near constant feeling of surveillance.

If someone on staff actually has the courage to leak a product (or even a product element), Apple employees has confirmed that the company will perform a security lockdown. Teams of trained security professionals will swarm a floor and force every person present to stay at their desk and wait for a full search of their office for offending materials or evidence of outside correspondence. While this doesn't happen very often — perhaps once every couple of years — former employees note that the mere thought of it is enough of a warning to prevent leaks within HQ from happening.

For the full article, check it out at Ars Technica. What do you think of Apple's methods for securing their products? Let us know in the comments.

Lauren Hockenson is a tech reporter and 8-bit enthusiast who dreams of being a wizard. She can be found on MyIGN at lhockenson or on Twitter at @lhockenson.

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