Apple has taken an important step in ensuring the privacy and security of user data in the cloud. Accordingly, the company opened a private cloud computing network to all developers. It also launched a reward program of up to $1 million for the network.
Apple expands its Private Cloud Computing
Apple has launched Private Cloud Computing (PCC) to increase privacy transparency and build trust in the security of user data in the cloud. PCC enables Apple devices to harness the power of artificial intelligence in the cloud and expands the company’s security model.
Previously only verifiable by a limited number of researchers, PCC’s security claims are now public. Apple is making the PCC Virtual Research Environment (VRE) available to all security experts, enabling independent review of the system. Significant portions of the PCC source code have also been released.
Apple has also expanded its Security Rewards program for PCC. The company is committed to rewarding up to $1 million for fully authorized code execution bugs for vulnerabilities in PCC. For issues that provide access to user data or other sensitive information outside the defined boundaries, $250,000 will be paid.
Apple recognizes that some issues may fall outside the standard reward categories, but could still significantly impact users. In these cases, the company said it will evaluate reports based on the quality of the findings, evidence of exploitability and user impact, and may issue rewards.