Apple re-hires security expert of PGP, Blackphone and Silent Circle fame

Following the company's very public stand-off with the FBI over the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone, Apple is demonstrating that it has a great interest in security by re-hiring encryption expert Jon Callas.

Best known for founding security-focused firms PGP Corp and Silent Circle -- the company behind the ultra-secure, privacy-centric Blackphone -- Callas has worked for Apple on two previous occasions.

While neither Apple nor Callas himself are commenting on the precise role he will have at the company, Apple has confirmed his appointment to Reuters. With his security heritage, and having previously helped Apple create an encryption system for Macs, his arrival at the company sends out clear signals to Apple customers and the technology world.

Several high-profile cases recently brought the debate about encryption into the spotlight once again. After Apple refused to help the FBI either crack the encryption used on iPhone or to build a backdoor into iOS, law enforcement agencies used a third party to gain access to the phone at the center of the San Bernardino case.

With the public interest in privacy and encryption, Apple has previously said that it will continue to do everything it can to increase the security of its products. The arrival -- once again -- of Callas at Cupertino, would seem to confirm this.

Photo credit: Yotka fotoaloja / Shutterstock