Microsoft staff in China have been instructed to use an iPhone for authentication when logging into company systems. Starting from September, the use of Android smartphones as multi-factor authentication devices will be prohibited. This change is part of the Microsoft Secure Future Initiative, announced last year, aimed at anticipating and adapting to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
The decision was made due to concerns about the security of Chinese-designed hardware and local app stores. Staff who do not own an iPhone will be provided with an iPhone 15. The company will soon require Chinese-based employees to use only Apple devices to verify their identities when logging into work computers or phones. This measure is intended to ensure that all staff use the Microsoft Authenticator password manager and Identity Pass app.
The move highlights the stringent security measures Microsoft is implementing in response to the evolving landscape of cyber threats. It also underscores the company’s commitment to continually improving the built-in security of its products and platforms.
Read more: 9to5mac.com