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I've noticed in Activity Monitor that the "Security Agent" process is consuming 100% of a CPU core. What's more is that there are 4 "Security Agent" processes running, each at 100%!
I've noticed this problem happens every 7 days or so and I can't figure out why. The only reason I notice is that I come up to my iMac and the fans are running trying to cool the thing as it struggles with the runs away "Security Agent" processes.
Please help!
iMac 27", 10.15
I do not see such a process on my system. I found a reference in one of the Developers manuals:
Security Agent
The Security Agent is a separate process that provides the user interface for the Security Server in macOS (not iOS). Its primary purpose is to request authentication whenever an app requests additional privileges.
When the Security Server requires the user to authenticate, the Security Agent displays a dialog requesting a user name and password. The advantages of performing this action in a separate process are twofold. First, an application can obtain authorization without ever having access to the user’s credentials (username and password, for example). Second, it enables Apple to add new forms of authentication without requiring every application to understand them.
The Security Agent requires that the user be physically present in order to be authenticated. Because the graphical user interface elements can’t be used through a command-line interface such as the Terminal app or a secure shell (ssh) remote session, this restriction makes it much more difficult for a malicious user to breach an app’s security.
Perhaps this may help you track down what is causing the problem. One thing you might try:
About Safe Mode
Boot into safe mode then restart normally. This clears out a number of caches which may stop the process from eating up so much CPU time. Safe mode is much slower than a normal startup, so be patient.
Agreed.
I tried to track it down and solve it for two weeks, then returned the machine as it’s random behaviour didn’t fit well with my work schedule.
The Apple tech agreed there was an issue and refunded despite the model being a made to order configuration.
I will buy another in the future, it would be nice to know that this issue (at least) is identified and addressed in the meantime.
There seems to be many happy users out there, in comparison to the unlucky few in this discussion.
Oooh, that's too bad !
A really random behaviour is often a dire indicator of something technically malfunctioning or breaking down, in stead of an unexpectedly conflicting factor or an incorrectly programmed routine. So it's like you said: you must have been one of those unlucky users...
Maybe the Touch ID hardware to run the authentication was not thoroughly working and intermittently disturbing the system, causing that SecurityAgent process to slip into an endless cycle ?
I can assure you, I haven't yet run into any other serious problems with the MacBook Pro 16" (also BTO).
Love that machine so far !
@Paddy and @Karioko: I was referring to the specific case Stickman was describing (with mis MBP 16"). He was suffering from an intermittent problem, with no obvious pattern in two weeks. Do not rule out hardware !
So let's not try to diagnose different situations by the same cause. Problems often enjoy eachother's company, so they flock together in mixed settings. In most of such situations it can be a combination of various factors, like a typical hardware configuration or activity, combined with a certain system or application. Keep looking for any patterns !
Also saw it when I "Enter full screen" on a window
A sample of the process shows it is calling GetRealtimeDisplayInfo a lot. I suspect this is related to Catalina adding the sidecar displays feature, and there are failures even when nothing is connected for this.
Hi guys, I had this issue too for some days. Today I updated to Catalina 10.15.4 and the problem didn't disappear. So I've started to sort things out by rebooting and then closing applications and services like bluetooth and Wifi. After stopp duet background application the cpu usage went down and security agent isn't coming up anymore.
So for me it looks like the security agent itself has no problem or bug, but some application is trying to interact / use the security agent for kind of authorization / check.
Same problem here: nicely spec-ed 15'' 2018 MacBook Pro.
Never spotted it before (and I do tend to keep an eye on Activity Monitor quite regularly) but we did use another user account earlier today, something we hardly ever do on this particular machine.
I had this problem as well due to the fact that the current WFH requirements meant that I needed to get ScreenTime properly configured to keep my teenagers focussed on things that matter.
While screen time (a very useful tool BTW), was having the desired effect, I noticed that on my iMac, the Agent was consuming most of a core for hours. Clearly a bug of some sort.
For me, the solution was easy. Quit System Prefs (which was live, but not on the ScreenTime panel), and the problem went away - COU use back to normal instantly.
I have iMac late 2013, Catalina 10.15.4 with the same issue, I tried "Force Quitting" the Security Agent which was using about 97% of the CPU, the problem is gone, I have restarted and launched all apps that I use usually, it didn't come back again :))) yay so fas so good.
I had this problem with macOS Catalina 15.10.4 on MacBook Pro 13'' 2018. I detected it because the fan noise. My Mac had been in sleep mode with many applications opened. I had to reboot the operating system and the problem solved (for this time).
I have this issue too, it happens when my 3 year old son is "on" the computer. he sits at the login screen mashing the keyboard and struggling with the mouse until he manages to click the icon with his face on to log on (with no password)
When he leaves and I log him off, and log back onto my account, I can see (and hear via the fans) the rogue processes..
From what i read of other peoples posts, its definitely related to my sons account.
There's clearly a bug in the code somewhere. Needs to be fixed by Apple...
I had the same issue. Laptop was getting very warm and fans started to run full speed. I wasn’t running anything that should have made it work very hard. Checked activity monitor and noticed security agent was utilizing 98.8% of one of my cpu’s. Restarted laptop and it went back to normal temp. I did have 2 logins active. I closed the one prior to restart. Seems to be a problem with Catalina.
Still happening. The only pattern I have noticed is that it seems to happen when my daughter uses her account, which is under parental control. Please help Apple! What info do you need?
Related to Airport network. "airportd" is a daemon/driver. Call Apple to find out more.
Today i observed same behaviour on my MBP 16". Same logs - restart of machine did stop it. I am on 10.15.2 as well.
not sure whats behind this behaviour. Cant move to LAN as mostly i am on Wifi
I have this problem as well the security process took 100% of CPU with the Catalina..........and I still haven’t got the reason why
Security Agent causing high cpu
