Re: [BULK] [SECURITY] Need to restrict admin rights in macOS?

[Curt Kappenman <ckappenman () ANDERSONUNIVERSITY EDU>]

Ric,
  We have taken the path to restrict admin privilege on our Macs as well as our Windows devices.  Mostly because the 
federal auditors don’t seem to know the difference between the two and ask why the Macs have admin rights when the 
Windows don’t.  It was easier to take it away and has not caused us to many issues.

  We use JAMF to manage our Mac devices so I was able to push some back-end Linux commands to allow standard users to 
install printers and manage wi-fi devices.  I would guess that other items can have their privileges changed to allow 
for an easier user experience.

Curt

From: The EDUCAUSE Security Community Group Listserv <SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU> on behalf of Ric Getter 
<ric.getter () PCC EDU>
Reply-To: The EDUCAUSE Security Community Group Listserv <SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU>
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 12:41 PM
To: "SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU" <SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU>
Subject: [BULK] [SECURITY] Need to restrict admin rights in macOS?

Group,
I'd like to get some opinions on the need to restrict Mac users on the college staff (instructors, admin assistants, 
etc.) from having Admin rights, considerign all the current built-in protections in the macOS (System Integrity 
Protection, Gatekeeper, etc.).

Disclaimer:, I am not a security pro, though I have had a fair amount of coursework in the field. My primary unofficial 
role here is as the resident, elder Mac guru (a gray-hair who has been using them since '84). I'm still involved with 
the group here responsible for district Mac management who no longer have hands-on access to endpoint systems. I am 
usually just a lurker here who likes to keep in touch with what's going on in the higher-ed InfoSec world.

Thanks,
Ric

Ric Getter
PCC Media Production/PCC-TV
Portland Community College - Sylvania
971-722-8036

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