Looking for Mac Security Services for Your Business? Here’s What You Need to Know to Outfit and Secure a Mac-Based Office.
It happens at nearly every business. You’ve built your operations around PCs, yet, there’s that small contingent of employees who insist they’d prefer Mac computers and equipment. Or, conversely, maybe you’re a business like a design firm whose employees need the productivity Mac’s superior programs have in this area. Either way, when it comes to IT administration and cybersecurity, you may feel you’re looking for mac security services in a PC world.
We get it. It can feel like you’re having to remake your whole systems, just to satisfy the needs of niche computer users. Do you have questions about the effectiveness of Mac cybersecurity tools, vs. your PC based tools? Do you worry about how to manage a hybrid remote workforce that’s on two different operating systems? They’re legitimate concerns.
But the good news is, most of those assumptions are based on the way things to be. Today, you’ll find that:
- Mac versions of most software are easy to source
- cloud-based computing makes your operation device agnostic
- Mac computers are becoming easier to purchase, administer, and outfit with software than ever before
If you’re looking at incorporating Mac computers into your business, you should be pleasantly surprised how easy it is to do. A good managed service provider or internal CIO should be able to help you find the best mac security service, and the best Mac software for your business. Let’s dig into the ins and outs of how IT experts can make that happen for you.
Mac Cybersecurity: Understanding the Risks
Because there are fewer Macs than PCs in the business world, Macs have generally enjoyed the reputation of being less prone to malware. Fewer hackers are writing hacks for Mac code. Or so the wisdom goes.
But this may be changing, as cyberattacks have increased across the board. In fact a recent study showed that attacks on Macs are up by more than 400 percent. The number can vary, according to what study you ready. In 2021, many new “families” of Mac cyberattacks were created, giving criminals new common code trees they can use to launch more creative hacks.
So, Mac hacks are up, way up, by more than triple digit percentages in every kind of study. But as bad as this is, it’s important to remember that IBM based PCs still have more than 135 times the number of cyberattacks launched against them. So when it comes to achieving Mac cybersecurity, you may actually have a slightly easier time reaching your objective with this technology. You just have to make sure you’ve done your due diligence, and find the holes in your defenses before you start.
Here’s our tips on how to create the best security for Mac users, and get the best mace security service for your company.
Six Mac Cybersecurity Strategies For Your Business
Many IT administrators would say that a PC-centric company shouldn’t allow any users to have Mac devices on the company network. But in our opinion, this is an antiquated view. The fact is, there are many people in a company who can benefit from the software and systems that Macs offer. Employees in marketing, public relations, corporate writing, graphic design, product design, video production, photography, architecture, and more all swear by the productivity boost Macs give them. Don’t cut off those gains for your company, just because you don’t have the right Mac security service.
A good managed service IT provider can help you navigate any issues you may have with Mac integration. Here’s are six of the key strategies we advise to help get the best security for Mac devices.
#1—Install a good Anti-Virus Scanner
This is a bit of a cybersecurity 101 style tip. But in Macs, it’s even more important. Why? Because Macs connect to your Windows based systems. Macs can get Windows based viruses its systems find hard to detect. A world-class, additional virus scanner should be a key part of your strategy, and installed on each machine as part of its native software. Loop these tools into any other cybersecurity tools you might be using, such as endpoint detection response, (EDR) or SIEM (Security Incident and Event Management. This should be the first step you take when incorporating Mac cybersecurity into your systems.
#2—Seek Out Mac Versions of Your Existing Software
These days, nearly every major SaaS product has a Mac version. Research everything your Mac users will need, and make sure compatible versions can work with the PC versions on your system. This will help you eliminate glitches and make it far easier to secure. After all, the more programs you have to worry about, the more risk you take. Make sure all your software, whenever possible, can work on both Mac and PC operating systems.
#3—Let Cloud-Based Software and Operating Systems Come to Your Rescue
Sometimes the best investment you can make in Mac cybersecurity is to make your security device-agnostic. And cloud computing can do that for your organization. In fact, it can be one of the best Mac security services you can have. How? Software that runs on the cloud doesn’t have to rely on a certain operating system on the computer to work. This is especially true with Microsoft Windows 365 Cloud PC and systems like them. Your employees can log onto these systems from anywhere, on any kind of machine, and work in a secure environment where the software is centrally patched and updated. If you want the best security for Mac devices, this is your fastest route to that outcome.
#4—Consider Zero-Touch Deployment
If you run a business with a large number of offices or remote workers, chances are good that you are familiar with the convenience of zero-touch procurement. This wonderful service allows you to not only purchase your hardware directly from a manufacturer, but the software, too. Everything is loaded onto the machine at purchase, and the item is shipped directly to your employee wherever they are. The system works beautifully, and Apple has some of the best zero touch fulfillment of all. Do this through your own internal IT department, or have your managed IT services provider manage this process. But this strategy ensures that you are not only loaded up manufacturer approved software, but it eliminates a lot of headaches for your IT service team.
#5—Review How Software Will Be Updated
If you’re not operating all your software in the cloud, that means your company will be pushing through regular software updates to all the devices on your network. If you’re operating Mac cybersecurity services, you should be taking extra care to make sure that Macs are included in those updates. It might require setting up a separate protocol for those machines, but it’s critical to the health of your networks.
#6—Secure Mac Devices for Remote Work
if you have employees who work on Macs remotely either full or part time, there are many steps you can take to make their devices more secure. Ensure that their machines can smoothly access your virtual private networks, so their data is encrypted in transit. Some of the strategies we’ve already mentioned, like cloud computing, and zero touch become even more important in a hybrid work model. If you’re adding remote Mac users to the mix, it might also be a good opportunity to upgrade to enhanced conferencing systems, with enhanced Mac cybersecurity. And when your employees come back to the office for visits, make sure that they’re set up properly to access your printers and local networks. These are all basic tasks. But they can make all the difference for your Mac security services.
Where to Go for Mac Cybersecurity
As you can see, Mac cybersecurity isn’t as simple as just adding another device to the network. Macs make a great addition to any company. But only if you’ve done your planning first. A good MSP can help you make the transition without any security missteps. The security experts at Integris can help. If you’d like to put together a Mac Cybersecurity plan for your organization, contact us for a free consultation. It’s never too early, or too late, to upgrade your organization’s cybersecurity—on all your devices.
