Ethical Hacking News
ThreatLocker has launched its Defense Against Configurations (DAC) feature for macOS, aiming to address the long-standing issue of configuration gaps on Macs that leave them vulnerable to attacks. The new feature provides a clear remediation guide and mapping to major frameworks like CIS, NIST, ISO 27001, and HIPAA, helping administrators make informed decisions about their Macs.
ThreatLocker's Defense Against Configurations (DAC) has officially launched its support for macOS. DAC aims to address the long-standing issue of configuration gaps on Macs, making them vulnerable to attacks. The new feature uses the existing ThreatLocker agent to scan Macs multiple times per day, surfacing risky or noncompliant settings. Initial Beta focuses on high-value controls such as disk encryption status and firewall settings. The goal is to shorten the path from discovery to fix, rather than adding more alerts to the queue.
Defense Against Configurations (DAC), a key feature of ThreatLocker, has officially launched its support for macOS. This move aims to address the long-standing issue of configuration gaps on Macs that leave them vulnerable to attacks. The latest release from ThreatLocker is designed to make these weak points visible on macOS, allowing administrators to fix them before they become incidents.
The problem with administrative errors on Macs has been well-documented. Design firms, media studios, and production teams often rely on Macs for their workflows, taking advantage of the powerful processors, quiet operation, and efficiency in video and design software. However, security visibility has not always kept up with these advantages. Until now, macOS did not have a built-in tool to scan configurations and detect potential vulnerabilities.
The new DAC feature is designed to bridge this gap. It uses the existing ThreatLocker agent to scan Macs multiple times per day, surfacing risky or noncompliant settings in the same dashboard used for Windows. This allows administrators to identify and address configuration issues before they become opportunities for attackers.
The initial Beta of DAC for macOS focuses on high-value controls, including:
* Disk encryption status with FileVault
* Built-in firewall status
* Sharing and remote access settings, including remote login
* Local administrator accounts and membership checks
* Automatic update settings
* Gatekeeper and app source controls
* Selected security and privacy preferences that reduce the attack surface
These controls are critical to maintaining the security posture of Macs. By identifying and addressing configuration gaps in these areas, administrators can significantly improve their organization's overall security.
The new DAC feature is not just about adding another layer of security to Macs; it's also about streamlining the process of discovering and fixing configuration issues. According to ThreatLocker, the goal of this release is to shorten the path from discovery to fix, rather than simply adding more alerts to the queue.
This approach makes sense. Many organizations already struggle with managing their security posture, let alone dealing with the nuances of macOS configurations. By providing a clear remediation guide and mapping to major frameworks like CIS, NIST, ISO 27001, and HIPAA, ThreatLocker is helping administrators make informed decisions about their Macs.
The launch of DAC for macOS marks an important milestone in ThreatLocker's efforts to support the security needs of its customers. The company has already made a significant impact with its Windows version of DAC, and this new release is expected to build on that success.
Overall, the introduction of Defense Against Configurations (DAC) for macOS represents a significant step forward in protecting Macs from configuration-based vulnerabilities. By making these weak points visible and providing administrators with clear guidance on remediation, ThreatLocker is helping organizations harden their environments without guesswork.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/A-New-Security-Layer-for-macOS-Defense-Against-Configurations-Takes-Aim-at-Admin-Errors-Before-Hackers-Do-ehn.shtml
https://thehackernews.com/2025/10/a-new-security-layer-for-macos-takes.html
Published: Fri Oct 31 10:39:59 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M