Centrify DirectControl for Apple's Mac OS provides a robust set of services to enable the administrator to add Macintosh computers to their Windows management infrastructure to centrally manage the authentication, authorization and configuration of the Mac OS system. This white paper provides a detailed overview of the features and benefits of using Centrify DirectControl, and describes how an organization can realize substantial benefits by using DirectControl to integrate and centrally manage Mac OS with Active Directory. It also compares the DirectControl solution with other integration products.

Abstract Macintosh computers have found widespread usage within several industries such as education, marketing and advertising, and have been adopted by government agencies for a broad range of uses. Many of these Macs have been managed either individually or as a group using tools provided by Apple. As the Mac continues to gain in popularity – particularly within large organizations where Windows computers and administration tools are predominant, or within government agencies where security concerns are heightened – there is a growing need to manage and secure Macs using a common set of Windowsbased administration tools. Centrify DirectControl for Mac OS X enables IT administrators to add Macintosh computers to their Windows Active Directory infrastructure to centrally manage the authentication, authorization and configuration of Mac OS X systems as well as to lock down the user’s desktop environment. This lets IT administrators manage and secure Mac OS X systems using the same tools and processes already in place to manage Windows systems. This white paper provides an overview of the features and benefits of using Centrify DirectControl, and describes how an organization can realize substantial benefits by using DirectControl to integrate and centrally manage Mac OS X systems with Active Directory.