The Cyber Essentials Plus certification is a UK government-backed security framework that helps organizations protect themselves against common cyber threats. Unlike the standard Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus includes a hands-on technical verification of security controls – in other words, you need to pay for an auditor to verify what you’ve done. This certification confirms that basic cyber hygiene is in place and validates that the security measures are functioning as intended through external testing.
We’ve outlined the specific security measures needed for Mac devices. Following these guidelines not only ensures device compliance with Cyber Essentials Plus but also strengthens the overall security posture of your organization.
Access Control
To meet Cyber Essentials Plus requirements, Mac devices must enforce strict access control measures. This ensures that only authorized users can access the system and its data, thereby reducing the risk of internal breaches and unauthorized activities.
- User Account Management: Every Mac user should have a unique account. This helps in tracking user activity and applying individual security policies. Regular audits of user accounts are essential to verify that only current and active employees have access.
- Least Privilege Principle: Administrative rights should be limited to only those who require them. For day-to-day operations, users should operate under standard accounts. This minimizes the risk that malware or accidental actions could compromise critical system settings.
- Reviewing Unused Accounts: Unused or obsolete accounts pose a significant risk, as they may have weak or outdated passwords and might not receive regular security updates. Regular reviews should be scheduled to remove or disable any inactive accounts.
Mac device compliance checks for access control:
Device Security
Mac devices must leverage their robust built-in security features to create multiple layers of defense against cyber threats.
- Firewall Protection: The macOS firewall should be enabled at all times. This built-in feature blocks unauthorized incoming connections and prevents potential external attacks. Additionally, configuring the firewall with stealth mode can make your device less visible to threat actors.
- Encryption & Backup: Enabling Time Machine with encrypted backups ensures that even if a device is lost or stolen, the data remains protected. Regular, automated backups are vital to prevent data loss and enable swift recovery after any security incident.
- Software Updates: Automatic updates for macOS and installed applications are crucial. These updates often include patches for known vulnerabilities and security enhancements. An up-to-date system is one of the best defenses against exploitation.
Mac device compliance checks for device security:
Technological Controls
Beyond basic access and device security, additional technological safeguards help fortify the Mac environment against more sophisticated threats.
- Gatekeeper Protection: Gatekeeper is a critical macOS feature that only allows the installation and execution of software from trusted sources. Keeping Gatekeeper enabled prevents the accidental installation of malicious or unverified applications.
- Application & System Updates: Beyond operating system updates, ensuring that third-party applications are automatically updated is essential. Many security vulnerabilities arise from outdated software that lacks recent security patches.
- Password Manager: A password manager enforces the creation of strong, unique passwords for each account. It also simplifies the process of secure password storage and retrieval. When combined with multi-factor authentication (MFA), it significantly lowers the risk of credential compromise.
Mac device compliance checks for technological controls:
Additional Recommendations
Additional security measures can further reduce your organization’s risk exposure. These recommendations are not mandatory for certification but are highly advised to improve overall security.
Improved Basics
These are mandatory checks with almost all other certifications:
- Enable Filevault: Disk encryption is critical for security in the case of device theft or loss.
- Disable automatic login and set screensaver to show after 20 min: Prevent unauthorized access.
Disable Unnecessary Features
Reducing the number of active services on your Mac minimizes the attack surface. Consider the following:
- Disable all sharing: Disable sharing features if not required, to prevent unauthorized access to files. These are file, bluetooth, internet, media, and printer sharing.
- Disable all remote access: Turn off remote login and remote management (SSH) when it is not in use, unless required.
- AirDrop is off: Disable AirDrop when not in use to reduce the risk of unsolicited file transfers.
Enforce Strong Password Policies
Educate users and enforce policies that mandate the use of strong, complex passwords. Additionally, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible to add an extra layer of security beyond just passwords.
Easy Compliance with Pareto Security
To streamline the compliance process, Pareto Security offers continuous monitoring of Mac devices. Our software automatically checks critical security configurations against Cyber Essentials Plus requirements and sends real‑time alerts when issues are detected. Automated compliance reports help organizations quickly remediate vulnerabilities and maintain ongoing certification readiness.
Learn more about Pareto Security and how it helps businesses secure their Mac devices on our homepage.
What is Cyber Essentials Plus?
Cyber Essentials Plus is an advanced certification that verifies an organization’s cybersecurity controls through external, hands-on testing. Building on the foundation established by Cyber Essentials, the Plus level requires independent verification of key security measures such as malware protection, patch management, access control, and system configuration. This rigorous testing helps ensure that the controls are not only in place but are actively protecting the organization against contemporary cyber threats.
Conclusion
For organizations seeking Cyber Essentials Plus certification, ensuring that Mac devices are configured with robust security measures is essential. By enforcing strict access controls, enabling critical security features like firewalls and encryption, and keeping software and applications updated, you can meet the certification requirements while also improving your overall security posture. The additional technological controls and recommendations further minimize risk, making your environment resilient against evolving cyber threats.
Taking these steps not only supports compliance with Cyber Essentials Plus but also contributes to a stronger, more secure organizational infrastructure.
