The T2 security chip is a specialised component developed by Apple and used in Intel-powered macOS machines. It’s designed to secure the boot process and provide hardware-level encryption for data stored on the machine, among other features, offering an additional layer of security for enterprise users.
One of the most significant features of the T2 chip is the inclusion of a Secure Enclave coprocessor – used to power Touch ID and handle other secure operations. It operators much in the same way as the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip in Windows devices.
A successor to the T1 chip, introduced in 2016, the T2 chip was fitted into Mac devices from the following year, although recent machines powered by Arm-based CPUs, including the 13in M1 MacBook Pro (2020) lack this component. This is because the T2 chip’s security features are directly built into Apple’s new line of Arm-based processors. M1 devices, and more recent machines, have their own Security Enclave that allows a single chip to manage all the security features the T2 chip would traditionally oversee.
When did apple launch the T2 security chip?
Apple first introduced its T2 security chip in 2017 with the iMac Pro, as a custom version of the A10 chip, which was previously used in the iPhone 7 and iPad Pro. The T2 chip was later included in other Mac models, starting with the 2018 MacBook Pro.
Apple devised the T2 chip as a way to bolster the security of its macOS machines. It was designed to provide additional security features such as a secure boot process, hardware-level data encryption, and Touch ID, as well as to enable features like Activation Lock.
Prior to the T2 chip, Mac computers relied on software-based security measures and lacked dedicated hardware for handling secure operations. The T2 chip was designed to provide an additional layer of hardware-based security for Macs. helping to protect against cyber security threats such as malware.
How does the T2 chip work?
The Apple T2 security chip is a specialised component and includes a Secure Enclave coprocessor used to handle secure operations on the Mac. It sits independent to the Intel processor and the operating system.
The T2 chip is responsible for managing the boot process on the Mac and ensuring that only trusted software is allowed to run. It does this by checking the integrity of the boot process and verifying that all software being loaded is signed with a trusted certificate. If any untrusted software is detected, the boot process is stopped to prevent it from running.
The T2 chip is also used to provide hardware-level data encryption for the Mac. It includes a hardware-accelerated AES engine, which is used to encrypt and decrypt data stored on the machines’s internal storage. This provides an additional layer of protection for sensitive data and helps to prevent unauthorised access to the data.
The Secure Enclave coprocessor within the T2 chip is used to power the Touch ID fingerprint sensor and handle other secure operations on the Mac. It’s responsible for storing and protecting the user's fingerprint data and for handling secure transactions such as Apple Pay payments. Overall, the architecture of the T2 security chip is designed to provide additional security features in such a way that just a standard Intel CPU cannot.
What are the benefits of a T2 security chip?
The T2 chip provides additional security features, such as a secure boot process and hardware-level data encryption, which can help to protect against various threats. The addition of a T2 security chip to Intel-powered Macs offer an added layer of assurance, particularly for users handling sensitive data and those who need their machines for sensitive operations.
The security coprocessor built on the foundations of the T1 chip to offer secure boot and real-time encryption and decryption functionality. Alongside added convenience of securing biometric login, and using features like Apple Pay, the T2 chip’s hardware-accelerated AES engine improves performance of encryption and decryption. There are a number of improved and entirely new features that contribute to these benefits.
Secure boot process
The T2 chip checks the integrity of the boot process to ensure that the Mac is running only trusted software. The T2 chip's secure boot process helps to protect against threats such as malware and can help to prevent unauthorised access to the device. This can be important for enterprises that handle sensitive data and need to ensure that their devices are secure.
Hardware-level data encryption
The T2 chip can encrypt data stored on the machines internal storage, providing an additional layer of protection for sensitive data. This can be especially useful for business users and enterprises who may handle sensitive data and need to ensure that it is protected from unauthorised access.
Powering Touch ID
With its Security Enclave, the T2 chip powers the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, allowing users to unlock their Mac and make purchases with Apple Pay using biometrics. This can be convenient for enterprise users who need to log in to their Mac frequently and may not want to enter a password each time.
Activation Lock
The T2 chip helps to prevent unauthorised access to a Mac that has been lost or stolen by enabling Activation Lock, which requires the user's Apple ID and password to be entered before the Mac can be used. This can be useful for businesses that need to protect their data and prevent unauthorised access to company devices.
The T2 security chip's features can provide additional security and convenience for enterprises, helping to protect against threats such as malware and unauthorised access to the device, and providing a convenient way for users to log in to their Mac.
What are the concerns around the T2 security chip?
While the T2 security chip provides additional security features for Macs, it isn’t without its issues and concerns. It is crucial for users to be aware of these potential issues and to stay up to date with software updates to address any vulnerabilities.
Repairability
Some users and repair technicians have raised concerns about the T2 chip's impact on repairability. Because the T2 chip handles many security-related functions on the Mac, replacing it can be difficult and may require specialised equipment. This has led to concerns that the T2 chip may make it more difficult and expensive to repair certain models.
Security vulnerabilities
Like any software or hardware, the T2 chip is not immune to security vulnerabilities. In 2020, a security researcher discovered a vulnerability in the T2 chip that could allow an attacker to gain access to the Secure Enclave coprocessor, potentially exposing sensitive data stored on the Mac. Apple released a patch to fix this vulnerability.
User privacy
Some users have raised concerns about the T2 chip's ability to record microphone audio even when the Mac is in sleep mode. While Apple has stated that this feature is intended to enable Siri to respond to voice commands while the Mac is asleep, some users have raised concerns about potential privacy implications.
