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macOS Security Compliance Project

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Quick Overview

The usnistgov/macos_security repository is a collection of security configuration baselines for macOS systems. It provides guidance and scripts for securing macOS environments in accordance with NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) standards and best practices. The project aims to help organizations and individuals implement robust security measures on macOS devices.

Pros

  • Comprehensive security guidelines tailored specifically for macOS systems
  • Backed by NIST, a reputable authority in cybersecurity standards
  • Includes scripts and configuration files for easier implementation
  • Regularly updated to address new security threats and macOS versions

Cons

  • May require advanced technical knowledge to fully implement and understand
  • Some security measures might be too restrictive for certain use cases
  • Implementation could potentially impact system performance or user experience
  • Limited to macOS systems, not applicable to other operating systems

Getting Started

To get started with the macOS security baselines:

  1. Clone the repository:

    git clone https://github.com/usnistgov/macos_security.git

  2. Review the documentation in the docs folder to understand the security recommendations.

  3. Use the provided scripts in the scripts folder to apply security configurations:

    cd macos_security/scripts
sudo ./apply_security_baseline.sh

  4. Customize the configurations as needed for your specific environment by modifying the relevant configuration files.

  5. Regularly check for updates to the repository and apply new security measures as they become available.

Note: Always test security configurations in a non-production environment before applying them to critical systems.

Competitor Comparisons

drduh logo

macOS-Security-and-Privacy-Guide

21,174

Guide to securing and improving privacy on macOS

Pros of macOS-Security-and-Privacy-Guide

  • More comprehensive coverage of security and privacy topics
  • Regularly updated with community contributions
  • Includes practical tips and step-by-step instructions

Cons of macOS-Security-and-Privacy-Guide

  • Less formal structure compared to the NIST guide
  • May contain some subjective recommendations
  • Lacks official government endorsement

Code Comparison

macOS-Security-and-Privacy-Guide:

# Enable FileVault
sudo fdesetup enable

# Enable Gatekeeper
sudo spctl --master-enable

macos_security:

<dict>
  <key>PayloadType</key>
  <string>com.apple.systempolicy.control</string>
  <key>EnableAssessment</key>
  <true/>
</dict>

The macOS-Security-and-Privacy-Guide provides command-line examples for enabling security features, while macos_security uses configuration profiles with XML structure.

macOS-Security-and-Privacy-Guide offers a more user-friendly approach with direct commands, making it easier for individuals to implement security measures. macos_security, being an official NIST repository, focuses on providing standardized configuration profiles for enterprise deployment.

Both repositories aim to enhance macOS security, but they cater to different audiences and use cases. macOS-Security-and-Privacy-Guide is more suitable for individual users and enthusiasts, while macos_security is geared towards organizations seeking to implement NIST-recommended security configurations.

CISOfy logo

lynis

13,015

Lynis - Security auditing tool for Linux, macOS, and UNIX-based systems. Assists with compliance testing (HIPAA/ISO27001/PCI DSS) and system hardening. Agentless, and installation optional.

Pros of lynis

  • Cross-platform support for various Unix/Linux systems, not limited to macOS
  • More comprehensive security auditing capabilities, covering a wider range of system aspects
  • Active development with regular updates and community contributions

Cons of lynis

  • Less focused on macOS-specific security configurations
  • May require more setup and configuration for optimal use on macOS systems
  • Potentially overwhelming for users seeking a simple, macOS-centric security solution

Code comparison

macos_security:

#!/bin/bash
# Run the macOS security configuration script
./scripts/run_all.sh

lynis:

#!/bin/bash
# Run Lynis audit on the system
lynis audit system

Summary

macos_security is specifically tailored for macOS environments, offering a streamlined approach to implementing NIST-based security configurations. It's ideal for organizations primarily focused on macOS security compliance.

lynis, on the other hand, provides a more versatile and comprehensive security auditing tool that works across various Unix-like systems. It offers broader functionality but may require more effort to adapt for macOS-specific use cases.

The choice between the two depends on the user's specific needs, with macos_security being more suitable for macOS-centric environments and lynis offering greater flexibility for mixed Unix/Linux ecosystems.

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README

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IMPORTANT: We recommend working off of one of the OS branches, rather than the main branch.

The macOS Security Compliance Project is an link:LICENSE.md[open source] effort to provide a programmatic approach to generating security guidance. The configuration settings in this document were derived from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-53, Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations, Revision 5. This is a joint project of federal operational IT Security staff from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).

This project is the technical implementation of NIST Special Publication, 800-219 (Rev. 1) https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/219/r1/final[Automated Secure Configuration Guidance from the macOS Security Compliance Project (mSCP)]. NIST Special Publication 800-219 is the official guidance from for automated secure configuration for macOS.

Apple acknowledges the macOS Security Compliance Project with information on their https://support.apple.com/guide/certifications/macos-security-compliance-project-apc322685bb2/web[Platform Certifications] page.

This project can be used as a resource to easily create customized security baselines of technical security controls by leveraging a library of atomic actions which are mapped to the compliance requirements defined in NIST SP 800-53 (Rev. 5). It can also be used to develop customized guidance to meet the particular cybersecurity needs of any organization.

To learn more about the project, please see the {uri-repo}/wiki[wiki].

If you are interested in supporting the development of the project, refer to the link:CONTRIBUTING.adoc[contributor guidance] for more information.

== Usage

Civilian agencies are to use the National Checklist Program as required by https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-70/rev-4/final[NIST 800-70].

[NOTE]

Part 39 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, section 39.101 paragraph (c) states, “In acquiring information technology, agencies shall include the appropriate information technology security policies and requirements, including use of common security configurations available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s website at https://checklists.nist.gov. Agency contracting officers should consult with the requiring official to ensure the appropriate standards are incorporated.”

== Authors

[width="100%",cols="1,1"] |=== |Bob Gendler|NIST |Allen Golbig|Jamf |Dan Brodjieski|NASA |John Mahlman IV|Leidos |Aaron Kegerreis|DISA |Marco A Piñeryo II|State Department |Jason Blake|NIST |Blair Heiserman|NIST |Joshua Glemza|NASA |Elyse Anderson|NASA |Gary Gapinski|NASA |===

== Changelog

Refer to the link:CHANGELOG.adoc[CHANGELOG] for a complete list of changes.

== NIST Disclaimer

Any identification of commercial or open-source software in this document is done so purely in order to specify the methodology adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply that the software identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.