The future of Mac management trends

Introduction

It’s no secret that Apple is everywhere. You can’t walk into a coffee shop or visit a classroom and not notice the proliferation of Mac.

The increased adoption of Mac in enterprises is no mere coincidence either. In the 4th quarter of 2024, Mac shipments reached 7 million compared to the same quarter in 2023. In fact, Apple hit a 17.3% year-over-year growth rate, better than any of its top rivals!

The key factors driving Mac adoption, according to companies, C-level executives and IT leaders globally, are:

• Employee preference: Particularly among those entering the workforce are leading the charge to leverage the Apple technology used in their personal life for work.
• Security and privacy: No computing device is immune to cyber threats, but Apple’s innovation aimed at preserving security and privacy makes it significantly less susceptible to malware than other OS’s.
• Reliability: Measures of this are productivity, efficiency and ROI – each a hallmark of Apple’s seamless integration between hardware, software and services, helping users stay just as productive on the go as in the office.

Bearing these three factors in mind, the foundation is set for the future of Mac management trends in 2025. So, join us as we explain each of these technologies and what they mean for Mac management.

AI and Automation in Device Management

The modern Mac management landscape has evolved. It has grown and matured into a truly zero-touch experience. One that leverages automation and intelligent processes to help enterprises maintain compliance with internal requirements and external regulations. All while putting the latest time-saving, efficiency features and functionality in the hands of the end user as soon as they’re available.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its related technologies, like Machine Learning (ML), are the next step in evolving automation by drastically changing the efficacy of managing and securing devices by IT and Security teams.

The word drastic used to describe the changes that are being ushered into management is not hyperbole. Planning, deploying and verifying OS updates, for example, can take weeks or months to complete successfully. Factors that impact its success are the number of devices being updated, where they were physically located and user cooperation, potentially requiring a lot of manual intervention to shepherd the project along. Automation simplifies this process by incorporating multiple checks along the way, while policies ensure that devices remain compliant, freeing admins to use their expertise and skills to better support business operations.

What about AI in management and security?

The goal isn’t to replace admins with AI. It’s to augment the admin’s existing skill set with a revolutionary tool that helps IT/Security teams get the information they need when the need is most critical, imbuing their decisions with the most accurate, timely information available.

Another crucial aspect of AI’s data-gathering capability is how admins of all skill levels gain access to knowledge bases and other critical data to develop and grow their skills. A quick search of how to securely configure API access in Jamf Pro (a critical component for unlocking a world of automated management possibilities) is just a prompt away, and boom, you've acquired a new skill!

Enhanced Security by Building Zero Trust

"There are two types of companies: those that have been hacked, and those who don't yet know they have been hacked." – John Chambers, Cisco

The quote above is not meant to focus on doom and gloom or foster fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) but rather intended as a reminder that cyberattacks are occurring every day and no enterprise, hardware manufacturer or software developer is immune from them. It highlights why enterprises across all industries must perform their due diligence and take proactive steps to safeguard systems, users and data the best way possible.

Currently, implicit, trust-based solutions have been replaced with zero-trust architecture that operates under the condition of “never trust – always verify.” Being able to discern credential compromise or detect a desktop or mobile device running a vulnerable, outdated OS is a key aspect of risk reduction, effectively mitigating the ability of the affected device or credential to introduce risk into the enterprise.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) achieves this by essentially denying access to every credential or device by default. It’s not until that credential or device, or both, has been determined to be free from risk (the first half of the Zero Trust model) that ZTNA grants the access request. In doing so, it routes traffic for each request through a microtunnel, isolating it from other requests on the network. Doing so mitigates the risk of network-based attacks, like Man-in-the-Middle (MitM), which is especially useful when connecting over open networks, like public hotspots.

How do system updates align with evolving security needs?

ZTNA and system updates intersect within the context of layering defenses when encountering a device that does not meet established security criteria. By failing to verify, ZTNA maintains denial of access to the requested resource, but that’s not all. From there, ZTNA policies get triggered, executing an automated workflow that mitigates the risk(s) (the second half of the Zero Trust model).

Once remediated, ZTNA checks device health once again and, upon verifying that it now meets the security posture requirements, will only then grant access to the enterprise resource requested.

Integration with Cross-Platform Workflows

Strategic partnerships are at the core of making managing and securing Windows alongside Apple easier. Cross-platform workflows are the results of integrating multiple platforms under a common aim: to manage and secure your enterprise device fleet.

Let’s examine three distinct solutions that enable seamless, multi-OS management through integration:

• Microsoft Intune: Manage Macs in Jamf Pro and manage Windows in Microsoft Intune while invoking conditional access policies to ensure that users of both platforms remain compliant with organizational requirements.
• Microsoft Entra ID: Use Microsoft as the cloud-based identity provider for your Jamf Pro managed devices to automatically ensure the right apps and settings apply to the right users and devices.
• Microsoft Sentinel: Gain full visibility into Apple Endpoint Security by leveraging Sentinel’s Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution to capture and analyze logs from Jamf Protect across protected organizational endpoints.

Sustainability and Lifecycle Optimization

Reducing the environmental impact and costs associated with the carbon footprint left by hardware production continues to gain critical mass. Much like its prioritization of security and privacy, Apple is at the forefront of increasing sustainability efforts by continuing to refine its manufacturing process to increase its use of recyclable materials in its products.

Furthermore, this trend extends beyond hardware production, with enterprises looking for ways to reduce e-waste by redefining device lifecycles and greater adoption of BYOD initiatives.

Compliance with Evolving Regulations

Whether your enterprise is part of a regulated industry or simply wishes to align processes with industry best practices, meeting compliance is critical to adhering to industry standards and frameworks designed to minimize risk and maximize privacy.

Depending on your industry, where the enterprise is headquartered and/or in which regions it conducts business, it may be subject to one or more regulatory requirements, like:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the US,

in addition to industry-specific regulations, such as:

• Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in Healthcare
• Financial Services Agency (FSA) in the Finance
• Cyber Essentials (CE) in Cybersecurity

It is critical for regulated enterprises, as well as those wishing to align business operations with regionally accepted standards for data protection, to not only implement the benchmarks necessary for compliance but also to actively monitor and log events used to prove compliance to auditors.

Conclusion

As a rule of thumb for life, adaptability is key. The same is true for technology and, more specifically, the trends we’ve discussed. Staying appraised of these trends – and those to come – is best summed up by David Perlmutter, who said: “Strive for progress, not perfection.”

Mac management and, similarly, security are not destinations that are fixed in time or location. They are the culmination of proactive and evolving tasks and processes, fueled by the mindset that creating an impenetrable environment is a McGuffin. It doesn’t exist because each step forward through iterative, strategic adjustments is the goal.