Software controls Mac OS X desktops according to MS policy.
Press Release Summary:
Centrify DirectControl for Mac OS X integrates Macs into Active Directory and supports Microsoft Group Policy to provide extended desktop lockdown security and configuration control. With centralized management capabilities, IT administrators can ensure that their Macs and Windows systems adhere to same best practices. IT management can gain flexible control over options that apply to computers and users, such as which applications can be installed and accessed.
Original Press Release:
Centrify Delivers New Desktop Lockdown Controls for Mac OS X via Microsoft Group Policy
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 23 -- Centrify Corporation, a leading provider of Microsoft Active Directory-based auditing, access control and identity management solutions for non-Microsoft platforms, today announced the availability of extended desktop lockdown security and configuration control for Mac OS X using Microsoft Group Policy. Centrify DirectControl for Mac OS X has added dozens of new group policy objects to its current suite of configuration and security management capabilities so that IT administrators can ensure that Macs adhere to the same best practices established for their Windows systems. Centrify DirectControl for Mac OS X is the only solution that integrates Macintoshes into Active Directory and supports Microsoft Group Policy.
The Group Policies in Centrify DirectControl for Mac OS X provide IT management broad, flexible control over security settings and configuration options that Mac users have habitually managed on their own. Centrify DirectControl for Mac OS X delivers Group Policies that are applicable to both computers and users, and can centrally manage desktop settings that are not centrally configurable by existing workgroup management solutions for the Mac OS X environment. Administrators can now increase security by requiring a login to wake the computer from screensaver or to change system preferences; requiring authorization to mount a blank CD, an internal or external hard disk or removable media (such as a USB device); and by controlling access to sharing and firewall settings. To enforce configuration policies, DirectControl for Mac OS X can constrain which applications (such as file sharing software or media players such as Apple iTunes) can be installed and are accessible to users; can establish whether to enable automatic software updates; and can control the Dashboard, Dock, and Spotlight utilities.
"IT departments can now bring the Mac under the enforcement of the same enterprise security policies and configuration requirements that are applied to Windows systems," said David McNeely, Director of Product Management at Centrify. "The Macintosh users keep their core Mac experience, and IT can help ensure that all of the Mac systems in their organization will meet the standards required by regulations and security benchmarks for Mac OS X."
About Centrify DirectControl for Mac
The Centrify DirectControl suite consists of the DirectControl Agent and DirectControl Management Tools. The DirectControl Agent enables a Mac OS X, UNIX or Linux computer to join an Active Directory domain and provides comprehensive Active Directory services for that system including authenticating administrator and end-user logins and enforcing Group Policy updates. The DirectControl Management Tools enable administrators to set user and group access rights for the managed systems, set up Centrify Zones, run reports, configure the DirectControl Agents, and import accounts.
DirectControl for Mac OS X is installed on the Mac OS X desktop or server to enforce both computer and user group policies. The Group Policy capabilities included with DirectControl for Mac OS X leverage information stored in Active Directory about the machines and users on the network, and deliver robust capabilities such as loop-back filtering. In addition, DirectControl for Mac OS X offers Active Directory-based smartcard support. For a comprehensive listing of Group Policies delivered by Centrify DirectControl, visit www.centrify.com/mac.
Pricing and Availability
The new desktop lockdown Group Policies are included in Centrify DirectControl for Mac OS X and are available today. Pricing for Centrify DirectControl for Mac OS X is $60 per workstation and $350 per server. Please visit www.centrify.com/mac for more details.
About Centrify
Centrify delivers centralized access control and identity management solutions that seamlessly integrate non-Microsoft systems, web applications, databases and storage systems with Microsoft Active Directory. With Centrify solutions, organizations can improve efficiency, better comply with regulatory requirements and move toward a more secure, connected infrastructure for their heterogeneous computing environment. Centrify is headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more information about Centrify and DirectControl, call +1 650-961-1100 or visit www.centrify.com.
Centrify and DirectControl are trademarks of Centrify Corporation. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.
CONTACT: Tom Cromelin, +1-925-997-8459, or tom.cromelin@centrify.com
