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The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recently published a document on 'Secure by Design' challenges that represents something we rarely see in government cybersecurity: a transparent acknowledgment of the complexities involved in implementing security from first principles.Secure by design is a fundamental approach that embeds security into systems from the very beginning of the design process as opposed to treating it as a bolt-on feature later in development.Having spent years advocating for the human element in security, it's refreshing to see an official recognition that technical controls are only as effective as the people implementing them.Addressing the Security Skills ChallengeThe MOD's first identified problem is "How do we up-skill UK defense in 'Secure by Design'?"Their acknowledgment that effective implementation requires a "one team" approach across UK defense reflects the reality that security cannot be siloed within technical teams.This aligns perfectly with what I've observed in organizations with mature security cultures—security becomes everyone's responsibility, not just the security department's concern.The Knowledge Distribution ProblemPerhaps most intriguing is problem two: "How does 'Secure by Design' account for unevenly distributed information and knowledge?"The MOD correctly identifies that information asymmetry exists for various legitimate reasons. What makes this assessment valuable is the recognition that not all information-sharing barriers stem from poor security culture; some exist by design and necessity.Imagine a family planning a surprise birthday party for their grandmother. Different family members have different pieces of information that they intentionally don't share with everyone:The daughter knows the guest list and has sent invitations directly to each person, asking them not to discuss it openly on family group chats,The son has arranged the venue and catering, with specific dietary requirements for certain guests,The grandchildren are handling decorations and have a theme they're working on,And most importantly—nobody tells grandmother anything about any of this.This isn't because the family has poor communication skills or doesn't trust each other. These information barriers exist by design and necessity to achieve the goal of surprising grandmother. If everyone shared everything with everyone else, the surprise would be ruined.The MOD's approachIn the MOD's security context, this is similar to how:Certain threat intelligence can't be shared with all suppliers because doing so might reveal intelligence-gathering capabilities,Suppliers can't share all their proprietary technology details even with clients like the MOD, as they need to protect their competitive advantage,Specific security controls might be kept confidential from general staff to prevent those controls from being circumvented.These aren't failures of security culture—they're intentional compartmentalization that sometimes make security work possible in the first place. The challenge isn't eliminating these barriers but designing systems that can function effectively despite them.This reflects the nuanced reality of human behavior in security contexts. People don't withhold security information solely due to territoriality or negligence; often, legitimate constraints prevent the ideal level of transparency. The challenge becomes developing systems and practices that can function effectively despite these inherent limitations.The Early Design ChallengeThe third problem addresses a familiar paradox: how to implement security at the earliest stages of capability acquisition when the capability itself is barely defined.In other words, it's like trying to build a high-tech security system for a house when you only have a rough sketch of what the house might eventually look like - you know you need protection, but it's difficult to plan specific security measures when you're still deciding how many doors and windows there will be, what valuables will be stored inside, or even where the house will be located. As the MOD puts it, at this stage a capability might be "little more than a single statement of user need."This connects directly to how humans approach risk management. When primary objectives (delivering military capability) compete with secondary concerns (security), practical compromises inevitably emerge. The MOD's candid acknowledgment that "cyber security will always be a secondary goal" reflects a pragmatic understanding of how priorities function in complex organizations.Through-Life SecurityProblem four addresses perhaps the most demanding human aspect of security: maintaining security rationale and practice across decades of a capability's lifespan. With defense platforms potentially remaining operational for 30+ years, today's security decisions must make sense to tomorrow's engineers.The question of continuous risk management becomes particularly relevant as organizations encounter new threats over their extended lifespans. How human operators interpret and respond to evolving risk landscapes determines the long-term security posture of these systems.Building a Collaborative Security CultureThe MOD recognizes that 'Secure by Design' implementation isn't merely a technical challenge but fundamentally about collaboration among people across organizational, disciplinary, and national boundaries.The MOD's approach suggests a shift toward a more mature security culture — one that acknowledges limitations, seeks external expertise, and recognizes the complex interplay between human factors and technical controls. Their openness about needing help from academia and industry demonstrates a collaborative mindset essential for addressing complex security challenges.This collaborative approach to security culture stands in stark contrast to the traditional government tendency toward self-sufficiency. By explicitly inviting external perspectives, the MOD demonstrates an understanding that diverse viewpoints strengthen security posture rather than compromising it.Security isn't about having all the answers—it's about creating the conditions where people can collaboratively develop appropriate responses to ever-changing threats.We've compiled a list of the best identity management software.This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Finding the best iPad accessories can seriously upgrade your tablet experience, whether you're using it to sketch, binge your favorite shows or stay productive on the go. With the right gear, you can customize your iPad setup to match your needs — from a slim folio for iPad that protects your screen to a magic keyboard case that turns it into a full-blown laptop alternative. And if you’re rocking the new iPad Air 11-inch, there are even more tailored options to get the most out of your device.Accessories aren't just about looks, either. Swapping out worn pencil tips, grabbing a longer Lightning cable or finding the right stand can make a big difference in how smoothly you move through your favorite apps. Whether you're upgrading for work, creativity or just everyday convenience, there's no shortage of smart picks out there to make your iPad even more powerful (and fun).

Table of contents

Which iPad generation do you own?

iPad cases

iPad stands and docks

iPad keyboards and mice

iPad stylus

iPad chargers

iPad screen protectors

Which iPad generation do you own?

Before you splurge on a bunch of accessories, you should double check which iPad generation you own. There are a couple of ways to do this: first, you can check the back of your tablet for its model number, which will start with an “A” and end with a series of numbers. You can also go into Settings on your iPad, then General and look up the model number in the top section. If you see a series of letters and numbers with a slash (“/“) in it, just tap that to reveal the iPad’s true model number.

The most important iPad details to consider before buying accessories are the charging port, screen size and Apple Pencil compatibility. Most iPads now have USB-C charging, save for the now discontinued 9th-gen iPad that still requires a Lightning cable. Make sure to double check your iPad’s screen size before buying a folio for iPad or a screen protector — especially if you have the new iPad Air 11-inch. As for the Apple Pencil, check out this guide to how to choose the right Apple Pencil (and even replacement pencil tips) to make sure you're getting the right one for the tablet you have.

Best iPad accessories for 2025

iPad cases

iPad stands and docks

iPad keyboards and mice

iPad stylus

iPad chargers

iPad screen protectors

If you’re a heavy user of the Apple Pencil or some other stylus, you should consider getting a screen protector for your new iPad. They pull double-duty: Not only do they act as a first line of defense if your iPad goes careening onto concrete, but they can also enhance the digital drawing and writing experience. Using a stylus on an iPad is strange at first because gliding the stylus nib over a glass surface feels nothing like “normal” writing. Matte screen protectors can get closer to replicating the pen-on-paper experience, and they also prevent the stylus nib from wearing down as quickly.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-ipad-accessories-130018595.html?src=rss