AIOS-26-010400 - Apple iOS/iPadOS 26 must require a valid password be successfully entered before the mobile device data is unencrypted.

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This audit has been deprecated and will be removed in a future update.

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Information

Passwords provide a form of access control that prevents unauthorized individuals from accessing computing resources and sensitive data. Passwords may also be a source of entropy for generation of key encryption or data encryption keys. If a password is not required to access data, this data is accessible to any adversary who obtains physical possession of the device. Requiring that a password be successfully entered before the mobile device data is unencrypted mitigates this risk.

Note: MDF PP requires a Password Authentication Factor and requires management of its length and complexity. It leaves open whether the existence of a password is subject to management. This requirement addresses the configuration to require a password, which is critical to the cybersecurity posture of the device.

SFR ID: FIA_UAU_EXT.1.1

Solution

Install a configuration profile to require a password to unlock the device.

Configuration Profile Key: forcePIN

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_Apple_iOS-iPadOS_26_V1R1_STIG.zip