For a decade, consumers have been choosing Apple because of their user friendliness: the devices, the operating system are all best-in-class. Businesses quickly followed suit, as the consumerization of the enterprise pushed Apple devices into the workplace.
Less known, however, are the built-in security benefits that make Apple a no-brainer for companies looking to make their people happy and stay secure.
What are some examples of the IT security that Apple includes:
1. FileVault
- FileVault is Apple’s built-in, whole disk encryption software designed to prevent any unauthorized access to data stored on your Mac.
- It is extremely simple to implement and use. FileVault is one of the steps in the setup assistant when setting up the Mac for the first time. If you have already set up your computer you can easily turn it on in your system preferences.
- Once enabled, FileVault encrypts all existing and new data stored on your mac on its own.
2. Gatekeeper
- Gatekeeper is a security feature that is intended to reduce the likelihood of inadvertently running malicious software on your Mac.
- Macs are not limited to software only available on the Mac App Store. Apps that do not appear in the Mac App Store can come from anywhere and are not necessarily checked by Apple before being made available to the public. Gatekeeper works by checking if an app is truly coming from a developer who has been registered with Apple.
- Gatekeeper allows you to set a required security level for installing apps. This can also be done in system preferences or disabled in Terminal.
3. Jamf
- Apple’s security features can be supplemented with Jamf.
Jamf is an Apple-focused Mobile Device Management solution that allows comprehensive control for Apple devices. - Designed for the Apple ecosystem, Jamf allows easy distribution of settings, apps, content, and more. It gives companies the ability to proactively manage devices and set restrictions.
- Jamf is used by many IT outsourcing businesses to provide remote IT services and is considered best-in-class by Apple.
- Company-owned devices can be easily categorized, monitored, and updated when needed. Granular control can be set to help lock-down lost or stolen devices making it harder for intellectual property to be taken. Policies can be pushed out to all employees in a single department or the entire company with the push of a button. Software upgrades can be vetted to verify compatibility, ensuring stability in the users’ environment.
We recommend Apple because of all the built-in security features, but more is always better. Interlaced is an outsourced IT services firm that focuses on providing small businesses IT support and IT Service Management.
You can imagine what it takes to keep a small business safe and secure. There are many more things you can do to improve your security: implementing Single Sign-On, enforcing password changes & standards, restricting access to specific websites, installing a VPN, use two-factor authentication restricting wi-fi from unsecured networks, enforcing security updates, the list goes on.
Check out our Simple Steps to Increase Security and Save Millions.
