USB Mass Storage block via InTune or InTune deployed app

Hi everyone,


We are faced with that kind of situation where it's very difficult to manage our MAC devices with endpoint management solutions like InTune for a lack of support from Apple. I have searched and searched and can't find a solution that works.


We use dozens of MacOS devices to work on our clients' content and must secure them so mass storage devices can't be used to transfer data. This is very difficult when Apple doesn't provide a straightforward way to manage the setting centrally.


I'm wondering if anyone, at all, has been able to block mass storage USB devices on MacOS (using Ventura on my test device at the moment). The custome mobileconfig script you can find everywhere does absolutely nothing.


It would be nice if Apple kept in mind that many of their clients are businesses... There's no way anyone wants to manage each device manually for settings as important as securing the device...


Thanks in advance to whoever can help me (if at all) achieve that goal!!

Mac mini (M2, 2023)

Posted on Jul 3, 2023 1:14 PM

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Jul 5, 2023 5:18 AM in response to nbotros

Hi,


This is unfortunately note even remotely useful. First of all, I'm in Canada, so we can rule this solution out right away. Do you sell Mac devices only in US? (Rhetorical question).


Pardon the sarcasm but I see a lot of IT managers on Apple forums trying to manage their fleets of MacOS devices with globally adopted solutions like InTune, Workspace One or JAMF, and it feels like Apple simply doesn't care about enabling organizations to centrally manage their devices adequately.


Apple should listen to business needs, not tell business how they need to adapt to Apple. We can basically control every aspect of the Windows OS with modern MDMs. Why is Apple lagging so far behind?


Back to the topic. We are a service provider who has huge media and entertainment clients. We are subjected to security guidelines which we simply cannot apply on MacOS devices in a centralized way (e.g.: Block USB ports through a configuration/policy). Of course we can do some things with MDMs, but it's so restricted it's not even funny.


Imagine having to ask members of your IT team to go on each computer to change 1 setting that can be changed in 5 clicks centrally on Windows through MDM. That's like asking Ford to go back in time and build cars one by one, by hand.


If you can't provide a genuine, working solution to blocking USB mass storage devices on MacOS through ANY MDM out there, please send this up the chain so someone at Apple can wake up and realize there's still a million miles to go before meeting business needs of your clients.


If anyone else has constructive, working solutions, I'm all ears (or eyes...).


Thanks

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Jul 4, 2023 2:59 PM in response to YanicS

Hello YanicS,


Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We understand the importance of being able to manage multiple Mac computers used for business, and we'd like to provide some guidance.

While we don't support InTune as it is not an Apple Product, we do have Apple Business Essentials:


Apple Business Essentials include all the features of Apple Business Manager and more. It is one complete subscription that seamlessly brings together device management, 24/7 support, and iCloud storage. In this way, your small business can easily manage every employee’s iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV (that your organization owns)—every step of the way. Apple Business Essentials is currently available only in the United States. To learn more, see the Apple Business Essentials User Guide.

Intro to Apple Business Manager


Also, check out these helpful links:


Apple Business Manager Support

Get Support for Apple Business Manager


We hope this information is useful. Kind regards.

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USB Mass Storage block via InTune or InTune deployed app

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