The latest macOS update, Sequoia (also known as macOS 15), has caused serious disruptions across various cybersecurity products, leaving organizations and users concerned about their digital safety.
Security solutions from major players like SentinelOne, ESET, Microsoft, and CrowdStrike have all reported compatibility issues following the update, forcing cybersecurity experts to urge users to delay upgrading their operating systems until these problems are addressed.
This development is especially concerning as it leaves many Mac devices without reliable endpoint protection, making them vulnerable to cyber threats.
Security Products Face Trouble with macOS Sequoia
The macOS Sequoia update has brought a wave of frustration among users, with multiple top-tier cybersecurity solutions struggling to work correctly on the updated OS.
Popular products such as CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft, and ESET have all encountered significant issues. As a result, many companies and individuals are left exposed, as their usual security measures cannot function properly on the updated platform.
Several of these companies issued warnings to their users, advising them to avoid updating to Sequoia until the issue is fully resolved.
CrowdStrike, for example, expressed regret for not being able to support the new operating system on day one, despite their track record of being able to do so in previous macOS updates.
A CrowdStrike engineer shared this frustration with users, stating: “I’m very sorry to report that we will not be supporting Sequoia on day 1 in spite of our intention (and previous track record) to support the latest OS within hours of [General Availability].”
This sentiment was echoed by others in the security community, who have been working hard to find fixes for the issues caused by Sequoia.
Apple Yet to Respond to the Issue
While the problem has been widely reported by tech publications, including TechCrunch and Apple Insider, Apple has not yet addressed the situation publicly.
Security researchers and software developers are left speculating on the causes of the problem, with many believing it stems from complications related to firewalls and DNS (Domain Name System) within the new operating system.
Will Dormann, a security researcher, shared his thoughts on the issue, highlighting how blocking incoming connections in the Sequoia firewall may interfere with DNS replies, causing various apps to malfunction.
“Depending on your firewall configuration, silly things like DNS may stop working for some apps,” Dormann noted, emphasizing the potential widespread impact of the problem.
Patrick Wardle, the founder of Mac and iOS security startup DoubleYou and a long-time macOS security expert, also weighed in on the issue.
He expressed frustration with Apple’s lack of attention to detail in testing its software, suggesting that more focus on quality control, rather than marketing, would benefit the macOS ecosystem.
“I get it, that writing bug-free software is challenging, but maybe if Apple spent less time and money on marketing, and more time on actually testing their software, we’d all be better off!” Wardle told TechCrunch, further illustrating the growing dissatisfaction within the cybersecurity community.
Concerns for Organizations and Users
The failure of these critical security tools to function properly on macOS Sequoia raises significant concerns, particularly for businesses and organizations that rely on these solutions to protect their data and systems.
Endpoint security is a crucial aspect of cybersecurity, and without it, organizations are exposed to potential cyberattacks.
The disruption caused by the Sequoia update underlines the importance of rigorous testing before releasing major software updates, especially in an environment where data breaches and cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated.
For users, the advice is clear—hold off on upgrading to macOS Sequoia until the affected security products have been updated to work smoothly with the new operating system.
The macOS Sequoia update has, unfortunately, caused significant issues with major cybersecurity products, leading to growing concerns among users and organizations.
As developers scramble to find solutions and Apple remains silent, users are strongly advised to delay upgrading to Sequoia until a stable solution is in place.
