iOS Security and Introduction into Reverse Engineering

Modern iOS apps rely on a complex security ecosystem—but how much protection does it really offer once an attacker has physical access to the device? In this intensive, hands-on workshop, we’ll pull back the curtain and explore what truly happens beneath the surface of iOS applications, how attackers think, and what developers can do to build more secure apps.

This workshop is designed for iOS developers who want to deeply understand the risks their apps face in the real world. Through both theory and live demonstrations on a jailbroken device, participants will learn how reverse engineering works, what tools attackers use, and what kinds of vulnerabilities are commonly exploited in iOS applications.

The core message is simple but critical: nothing on the client side is ever fully secure. If a motivated attacker gains access to a device, every part of the app becomes fair game—from stored data to runtime logic. Over the course of the workshop, you’ll see exactly how attackers peel back these layers—and what you can do to slow them down or stop them.

We’ll start with essential but digestible theory to build a foundation, then move into live runtime analysis and manipulation of real applications. You’ll learn how iOS security works under the hood, how the system can be bypassed, and how to think like an attacker when designing features. After the demos, we’ll shift into practical development concepts and discuss implementation strategies that make apps more resilient.

Finally, participants will work individually with pencil and paper to evaluate the security of their own apps. You’ll brainstorm attack vectors, identify weak spots, and outline realistic defense strategies tailored to your product. The workshop concludes with optional one-on-one consultations for deeper technical questions.

Whether you're new to reverse engineering or you’ve already experimented with low-level tools, you’ll leave with a sharper mindset, a stronger understanding of iOS internals, and a collection of practical techniques to immediately apply in your daily development work.