GUEST BLOG: Return of the Mac

By Jackie Robertson, content coordinator

Thinking about Macs for your business? Know the risks so the transition will be a success.

As a business owner working out of your home, setting up your business technology is undoubtedly a concern. While you probably don’t need the complex network of servers and computers that a larger enterprise does, picking up an inexpensive home computer at the local electronics store is probably not going to cut it either.

Most home business owners look for a midpoint in their technology purchases: machines that are capable of handling their daily workload and remain secure, that are fast, secure, and reliable. And for many, the answer to their needs is a Mac.

Long favoured in the creative fields, like advertising and graphic design, Macs have grown in popularity across the board. One major reason for this explosive growth is the perception that Macs are more secure than PCs.

While in many ways, Macs do have some security advantages over PCs, they are not impervious to risk.

Before you make the leap into becoming an Apple shop, you should understand the risks and plan your security strategy accordingly.

Risk 1: Macs do get viruses

You’ve probably heard at least one person say, “Macs don’t get viruses”. While Mac computers are certainly less likely to be infected with a virus or malware than PCs, they are not completely immune — especially now that they have become so popular.

Because hackers are now developing Mac-specific malware, its important to install antivirus for Mac on your machines, especially those you use for business.

Not only can your computer be infected, putting your company’s data at risk, but Macs can also spread malware to PCs without ever being infected itself.

So while you may not have to worry about viruses as much when you shift to Apple products, it’s still a concern that you need to address, and take precautions to avoid.

Risk 2: Cloud security

The cloud is most likely part of everyday operations in your company. However, it can create some security risks if you don’t manage it correctly.

Once of the biggest risks to Mac cloud security is the potential for mixing corporate and personal data. When setting up a new Mac, one of the first things you are asked to do is set up or enter an Apple ID or password.

If you (or an employee) has an existing Apple ID, it’s possible that you can use that ID on the Mac, which will create problems as the machine automatically backs up data to the cloud.

In addition to personal data, corporate data will be saved in the personal cloud account, possibly putting it at risk. Not to mention, a personal Apple ID password may not be adequate for protecting access to company information.

While in many ways, Macs do have some security advantages over PCs, they are not impervious to risk

The easy solution to this, of course, is to keep separate personal and company Apple accounts to prevent any ‘cross-contamination’ of business and personal data. Use strong passwords, and if the machine offers two-factor authentication, employ that as well.

You may also wish to develop strict policies regarding what personal devices may be connected to the company computers, to avoid infection from unsecured devices.

Risk 3: Security management

Because of Macs’ inherently more secure nature, many business owners fall into the trap of thinking that security will essentially work itself out. That is not accurate. Even in a Mac-based business, you need to develop the same security guidelines that you would in a PC environment.

This means establishing security guidelines related to password management, access management, administrator privileges, protection against viruses and malware, and storage, including in the cloud and on peripheral devices.

You also need to develop protocol to ensure that updates and patches are installed as needed, since Macs are still vulnerable to corruption, malware, and other issues if left without updates or protection.

However, compared to the management of PCs, taking care of the security risks of Macs is significantly less complicated, especially for a novice small business owner.

The cloud is most likely part of everyday operations in your company. However, it can create some security risks if you don’t manage it correctly

The most important thing is to be aware of the risks and the security needs before you switch to a Mac-only business, and develop a plan for managing them.

When you do, you can rest assured that your business data is as secure as possible, and you are less likely to lose time and money responding to a serious security breach.

Photo: Matthew Pearce