Apple takes time to trust new recruits, tests them on fake projects first

Inside Apple, the new book by Adam Lashinsky, confirms how strict the tech giant is about keeping its research and development secret. The author details the probation period that new recruits undergo before being trusted with sensitive information.

As is the case with most big companies, employees who join Apple go through a series of interviews before they are hired. However, in Apple’s case, this does not guarantee access to information about the company’s research and development. To be in the know of what is going on behind the scenes at Apple, new employees have to spend months on different projects while being tested for trustworthiness. 

Often, when they are hired, new employees at Apple do not know which projects they will be working on and roles are explained to them only after they join work. Apple does not trust newbies with sensitive information, even if it has to do with things they are to be working on.

According to Mac Rumours, a former Apple engineer confirmed Lashinsky’s observations and even went on to state that in some cases, new recruits were put on fake projects during their probationary period. 

This attitude of secrecy towards new employees is part of the broader strategy the company employs vis-à-vis maintenance of security. Though harsh, it does seem to be working well, since it is because of this and many other measures detailed in Lashinsky’s new book that Apple is successfully able to hold off leaks of technology and products.