Centrify on Monday announced new extended desktop lockdown security and configuration control in DirectControl for Mac OS X. The security software is designed to work in enterprises managed using Microsoft Group Policy. It costs $60 per workstation and $350 per server.
DirectControl enables Macs in the enterprise to be managed the same way as Windows machines can be using Active Directory capabilities. This gives administrators central control over security settings and configuration options that wouldn’t be otherwise accessible to them, in order to require a login before the computer can wake from sleep, or authorizing prior to mounting a CD, an internal or external hard disk or removable media, including USB device.
DirectControl for Mac OS X can also limit what applications are accessible to users, can turn automatic software updates on or off, and can control Dashboard, Dock and Spotlight access.