Secure Enclave

Dedicated hardware coprocessor for cryptographic operations (Touch ID, Face ID, Data Protection keys). Operates independently of the main OS for maximum security.

What to Know

The Secure Enclave is a hardware-isolated security processor that stores and protects the most sensitive cryptographic operations on Apple devices. It manages biometric authentication (Touch ID/Face ID), encryption keys for Data Protection, and secure boot verification. Because it operates independently from the main processor and operating system, even if the main OS is compromised, the Secure Enclave remains protected and cannot be accessed or manipulated by malicious software.

For enterprise security, the Secure Enclave provides hardware-backed protection for credential storage, passcode attempts, and cryptographic keys. It enforces rate limiting on passcode attempts, making brute-force attacks impractical, and ensures that encryption keys never leave the secure hardware boundary. This hardware root of trust is fundamental to Apple’s data protection architecture and is required for features like FileVault, Secure Boot, and biometric authentication.

Common Scenarios

Enterprise IT: The Secure Enclave protects corporate data by ensuring FileVault encryption keys and biometric authentication data cannot be extracted, even with physical device access. IT relies on this hardware protection to meet data security requirements for regulated industries and high-security environments.

MSP: When advising clients on device security policies, MSPs leverage the Secure Enclave’s protections to demonstrate hardware-backed security guarantees. This is particularly important for clients in healthcare, finance, or legal sectors where data protection regulations demand tamper-resistant cryptographic key storage.

Education: While students and teachers may not interact directly with the Secure Enclave, its protection of biometric data and device encryption ensures that school-managed devices meet privacy standards for protecting student information and comply with data protection regulations like FERPA and COPPA.

In Addigy

Addigy does not directly manage the Secure Enclave (it’s a hardware component), but admins can view device inventory information that indicates Secure Enclave presence and capabilities. When deploying FileVault, biometric authentication policies, or passcode requirements through Addigy, these configurations leverage Secure Enclave protection automatically on supported devices. Addigy’s reporting helps identify devices with or without Secure Enclave support, which may impact security policy decisions for older hardware.