THE NOTORIOUSLY SECRETIVE antenna testing outfit and fruit themed device manufacturer Apple has hired the sort of security chief who might appeal to military dictators in third world countries.

In fact the US military is just where the cappuccino firm found its new security chief. David Rice recently skippered a desk in the US Navy and can also count the US National Security Agency and the US Cyber Consequences Unit amongst his references.

Perhaps fittingly, given the cloak and dagger stylings of Apple, there has been no official announcement, however the news has been confirmed by "several sources" who remain unnamed at the allthingsdigital website.

Rice has also refused to answer any questions about his new position, which makes sense as that is the sort of indiscretion that usually earns security workers a swift escort out of the office.

If there was a US government security officer top ten, Rice would be somewhere near the apex. He is a celebrated author in security circles and published the book Geekonomics to a good reception. He also worked in cryptography for the US Army, which is about as secretive as these things get.

Rumours that he could apply lessons learned in the Navy's Philadelphia experiment to negative journalists and anyone talking about Flash in the cappuccino company's offices are unfounded and started here.