Managing privileged access management on macOS at the OS level has always been a pain point for IT administrators, primarily due to the differences in security models, limited native tools, and integration challenges with existing enterprise infrastructures. However, with the right tools you can tackle those macOS PAM challenges and get your Mac security up to par with your Windows endpoints.
The Challenges of Privileged Access Management on macOS
Different Security Models
Unlike Windows, which has a rich history of enterprise use with robust tools like Active Directory and Group Policy, macOS has been primarily consumer-focused. This difference in security models means managing privileged access on macOS requires more effort and tools. Windows environments have built-in mechanisms for handling administrative access, making it easier to enforce security policies across all devices. In contrast, macOS relies more heavily on third-party solutions to fill these gaps.
Limited Native Tools
As mentioned above, Windows users benefit from built-in tools like Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) and User Account Control (UAC) for managing and auditing privileged access. macOS, on the other hand, lacks comprehensive native tools, making it necessary for administrators to rely on custom scripts or third-party software. This creates additional layers of complexity, especially when managing a large fleet of devices.
Integration Challenges
Integrating macOS devices into a Microsoft-centric infrastructure can be complex. Many organizations use Active Directory and Azure AD for identity and access management, and ensuring seamless integration with macOS often requires additional configuration or, you guessed it: third-party solutions. This complexity can lead to inconsistencies in access management policies and difficulties in maintaining a uniform security posture across all devices.
Diverse User Base
The varied needs of macOS users, ranging from development to design, necessitate different levels of access, complicating the standardization and enforcement of privileged access policies. Unlike more standardized Windows environments, macOS users often require specific configurations and software, making it harder to implement a one-size-fits-all security policy.
Limited Support for Legacy Systems
Many enterprise applications are designed for Windows, making it challenging to ensure that privileged access management solutions are compatible with both legacy systems and newer macOS devices. This lack of support can create security gaps and operational inefficiencies, especially in organizations that rely on a mix of old and new technologies.
Scripting and Automation
While macOS supports scripting and automation through tools like AppleScript and Automator, these tools are not as widely adopted or powerful as PowerShell on Windows, making automation tasks more cumbersome. PowerShell offers a more robust and flexible scripting environment, which is why it is preferred in enterprise settings for automating administrative tasks.
Community and Documentation
The extensive community and documentation available for Windows make managing privileged access more straightforward. In contrast, resources for macOS, although growing, are still limited, making troubleshooting and best practice implementation more challenging.
Administrators may find it harder to find solutions to specific macOS issues due to the smaller user base and less extensive support network.
Solving the Privileged Access Management on macOS Problem
To address the challenges of managing privileged access on macOS, IT administrators can adopt a combo of strategies and tools. Centralizing the management of both macOS and Windows devices under a single platform is key to ensuring a consistent security posture.
Utilizing mobile device management (MDM) solutions can help enforce policies across all devices, while third-party PAM solutions can fill the gaps left by macOS’s native tools. Understanding how privileged access is defined, granted, and monitored is crucial for implementing effective PAM solutions.
How Admin By Request Solves the Challenge of Privileged Access Managment on macOS
Admin By Request for macOS addresses these issues by providing a complete and easy-to-use solution that simplifies privileged access management. Privileged access management (PAM) is a cybersecurity framework that helps organizations secure and control access to privileged accounts, preventing unauthorized access to critical resources. Here’s how:
Enhanced Integration:
Admin By Request seamlessly integrates with existing enterprise infrastructure, including Active Directory and Azure AD, simplifying the management of macOS devices alongside Windows systems. This integration ensures that IT administrators can apply consistent security policies across all devices, reducing the risk of security gaps.
Improved Access Controls:
With granular access controls, Admin By Request ensures that only authorized users have admin rights, and only when absolutely necessary. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access and enhances overall security. The solution also offers real time monitoring and auditing, so admins can keep an eye on privileged activities, and be alerted to anything suspicious.
Comprehensive Documentation and Support:
Admin By Request has extensive documentation and community support so IT admins can implement best practices and troubleshoot issues quickly. This support network is key to organizations to fully utilize the platform and address any issues that may arise.
Unified Management Platform:
The unified Admin By Request platform allows for centralized management of both macOS and Windows devices (and Linux, but that’s a topic for another day), ensuring a streamlined approach to privileged access management. This centralized approach simplifies the administration of large fleets of devices, making it easier to maintain a consistent security posture.
Coming Soon: Admin By Request version 5.0 for macOS
Admin By Request 5.0 for macOS is introducing several new features to improve security and streamline Privileged Access Management on macOS. Here are some of them:
- Administrator Audit: Admin activities will be tracked and logged in the Auditlog, providing transparency and accountability for privileged actions.
- Clean Up Local Admins: View and remove local admins across your endpoints with the click of a button. This feature simplifies the process of managing local admin accounts, reducing the attack surface.
- Support for Multi-Factor Authentication: Users can gain access to elevated privileges with SSO, with MFA enforced, adding an extra layer of security.
- Support Assist: Designate HelpDesk employees to assist other employees with privileged access matters, without giving them full admin access.
This release brings more feature parity between our Windows and macOS PAM solutions, ensuring consistent security across all devices within your organization.
Stay tuned for the release of Admin By Request 5.0 later this month and take your cybersecurity strategy to the next level. Click here to book a demo and learn more about how you can streamline privileged access management on macOS.
