If you work within an Apple-forward IT environment, your focus should be on finding the right cybersecurity solutions for Mac devices, if you haven’t already. Only 37% of Mac users have taken the time to enable or install cybersecurity tools on their devices, compared to 69% of Windows users. This oversight is based on the assumption that Apple computers are inherently secure.
| “No operating system is safe from cyber threats. Attackers are always evolving, your goal should be to stay one step ahead of them.” – Duane Maas, Director at MC Services |
Even if you move past the assumption that Macs are inherently more secure, finding the right cybersecurity solutions for Apple devices is another challenge. What works for Windows products won’t be compatible with Mac, so you often can’t use the same solution across the board.
Nevertheless, you need to set up your security controls correctly. As CloudSecureTech notes, 81% of breached devices lack proper endpoint security measures.
The rest of this article will focus on helping you address these challenges. We will explore why you need unique cybersecurity solutions for Mac, what the best tools for the task are, and key best practices you need to be aware of.
Are Macs Good For Cybersecurity?
79% of Mac users claim that Mac’s perceived cybersecurity influenced their decision to purchase a Mac device over a Windows option, but this assumption is outdated.
Early versions of macOS (and its predecessor OS X) were built on a Unix-like foundation, which meant a stronger permission model and more rigid separation between system files and user-level programs. Apple still builds macOS on Darwin, which includes a Unix-certified core, strong permissions, sandboxing, and system-file separation.
While the core system hasn’t significantly changed, malware’s ability to penetrate it has. As Apple’s market share began to grow in the mid-2000s, so did attackers’ interest in it. They designed ransomware, spyware, trojans, and more to bypass these systems.
In reality, Mac hasn’t been inherently more secure than Windows since about 2005-2007. Today, Mac users face just as many threats, but the 20-year-old assumption that they don’t has persisted.
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Why Do I Need Different Protocols For Cybersecurity For Mac Devices?
The core systems that once made Apple devices nearly impenetrable are the same ones that make it impossible to use the same cybersecurity solutions that you would use for Windows. Apple’s Unix-like architecture limits how much access software can gain at the system level. These limitations are often incompatible with cybersecurity solutions designed for Windows.
Windows and macOS also manage files, user permissions, kernel extensions, and background services in different ways. Security tools must match the structure of the operating system. A tool built for Windows cannot simply run on macOS without a full redesign because the system calls, security rules, and file structures do not match.
What Are The Best Cybersecurity Tools For Mac?
FileVault Full Disk Encryption
FileVault is macOS’ full-disk encryption that protects all data on a Mac’s internal storage by encrypting the entire volume using AES-based algorithms. When enabled, data at rest stays unreadable without the correct login password or recovery method, which reduces the impact of device loss or theft.
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper is a macOS feature that checks apps from outside the App Store to confirm they come from identified developers, are notarized by Apple, and have not been altered. This limits the ability of untrusted or tampered software to run on a Mac, which targets Mac-specific malware distribution paths.
XProtect
XProtect is Apple’s built-in malware detection system for macOS that scans files against known malicious signatures and blocks identified threats before or as they run. It updates quietly in the background and pairs with other macOS protections, so Mac users gain platform-specific malware defenses.
System Integrity Protection (SIP)
System Integrity Protection (SIP) restricts changes to key system locations on macOS, even from processes that gain root privileges. By keeping critical directories read-only, SIP helps stop Mac-focused attacks that rely on modifying system binaries or configuration files.
| See What Else Apple-Forward Businesses Need to Know |
Keychain & iCloud Keychain
Keychain is Apple’s built-in credential storage system that uses AES-256-GCM encryption and the Secure Enclave to protect passwords, keys, and certificates. When paired with iCloud Keychain, it can sync those secrets across Apple devices while keeping the encrypted data tied to the user’s Apple ID and device security on macOS.
Jamf Protect
Jamf Protect delivers threat detection and monitoring designed for macOS. It uses telemetry from macOS to identify suspicious activity, block harmful processes, and track behavior that targets Apple devices. Organizations gain visibility into Mac-specific threats, with activity reports and alerts that align with Apple’s security model.
Claris FileMaker’s Security Features
Claris FileMaker includes features such as AES-256 encryption for data at rest, SSL/TLS for data in transit, and detailed privilege sets that control which users can view, edit, or administer databases. When deployed on macOS servers or clients, these tools give Mac-based teams a way to apply strong encryption and role-based access control inside custom business apps.
Are There Any Cybersecurity Tools For Mac That You Can Also Use For Windows?
Although you can’t use the exact same tool for both platforms, many developers have created Mac-compatible versions of their applications. This way, you can enjoy the familiarity of a tool you already know, even if you switch operating systems.
Here is a quick overview of some tools you may be familiar with, and whether they offer Mac-compatible versions.
| Tool Category | Brand Name | Windows Version | Mac Version |
| Antivirus | Bitdefender | Yes | Yes |
| Antivirus | ESET | Yes | No |
| VPN | NordVPN | Yes | Yes |
| VPN | Hotspot Shield | Yes | No |
| Password Manager | 1Password | Yes | Yes |
| Password Manager | KeePass (original client) | Yes | No |
| Endpoint Security | CrowdStrike Falcon | Yes | Yes |
| Endpoint Security | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Yes | No |
| Secure Browsing Protection | Avast Secure Browser | Yes | Yes |
| Email Protection | Mimecast | Yes | No |
How Cybersecurity Patching For Macs Differs Compared to Windows
Cybersecurity patching on Macs differs from Windows mainly because Apple and Microsoft design and control their ecosystems in very different ways. Apple tightly controls macOS hardware and software, so most security patches come directly from Apple’s own update servers and use a single signed update pipeline tied to secure boot and a hardware root of trust.
On the other hand, Windows relies on Windows Update plus options such as Windows Update for Business, WSUS, ConfigMgr, and multiple update channels and rings. That design gives more flexibility over timing, testing, and staged deployment, but adds more moving parts to manage.
Furthermore, macOS updates arrive whenever Apple is ready to ship them, while Windows follows its regular “Patch Tuesday” schedule plus out-of-band releases for urgent issues.
Key Cybersecurity Solutions For Mac That Your Business Needs
Notarization Controls
macOS notarization checks apps for known threats before they run, which gives your devices a safer baseline. Requiring notarized apps helps prevent unverified software from entering your environment. Clear rules on approved app sources create a more controlled and predictable setup for your team.
Enforce Strict Controls
Profiles can change critical system settings, which makes controlled installation important. Limiting installation rights prevents unauthorized changes that weaken security. A routine review of active profiles keeps device settings aligned with your standards.
Manage macOS Input Monitoring
Tools that record screens or monitor keystrokes require careful oversight. Tight permission rules reduce exposure to misuse or hidden activity. Scheduled reviews of these permissions help maintain a safer environment.
Tighten Security Around macOS Login Items & Background Services
Some apps install login items or background services that run without user action. Reviewing these items improves visibility into what starts at boot. Removing unapproved or outdated components helps keep each device stable and secure.
Control Access to iCloud & Apple Services
iCloud sync and sharing options can move data across accounts and devices quickly. Setting limits on these features keeps sensitive information in approved locations. Regular audits of service usage help identify and correct unsafe data flows.
Network Filters & Content Controls
Network filters let macOS control how apps communicate with the internet. Defining strict rules helps block traffic that does not support business needs. Routine checks make sure filtering rules stay relevant as your environment changes.
Work With Experts to Help You Improve Cybersecurity For Mac Environments
Most cybersecurity programs were created based on the assumption that you will be working on a Windows system. As a result, managing cybersecurity for Macs can be somewhat complicated. The good news is that trained Apple experts are here to help you.
Reach out to MC Services today to learn more about Apple cybersecurity. Our team can help you protect your Mac devices. We are also well-versed with Jamf and Claris FileMaker, so we can help you manage those tools as well.
Contact us to get started!
