System Integrity Protection (SIP)

Protects critical macOS system files from modification, even by root users. Can only be disabled from Recovery Mode.

What to Know

System Integrity Protection prevents even privileged users and processes from modifying protected system files, directories, and processes. This drastically reduces the attack surface for rootkits and malware that attempt to compromise core system components. By restricting modifications to critical system areas (/System/, /usr/, pre-installed applications), SIP ensures that macOS maintains a known-good state and that malicious software cannot hide within system directories or replace system binaries.

For enterprise IT, SIP affects software that attempts to modify system components or inject code into system processes. While this strengthens security, it can break legacy management tools, endpoint protection solutions, or utilities that rely on kernel extensions or system modification. Understanding SIP limitations helps IT plan deployments and identify when tools need updating to work within SIP constraints.

Common Scenarios

Enterprise IT: Security and compliance teams enforce SIP to maintain system integrity and prevent unauthorized system modifications. When deploying endpoint security tools or monitoring software, IT must verify that solutions are SIP-compatible and use approved extension mechanisms (System Extensions, Endpoint Security Framework) rather than deprecated kernel extensions.

MSP: MSPs audit SIP status across client fleets to ensure devices maintain protection. If clients request SIP be disabled for specific software, MSPs document the business justification, assess security risks, and recommend alternative solutions that work within SIP constraints whenever possible.

Education: Schools maintain SIP enabled on all devices to prevent students or unauthorized users from tampering with system files. This is particularly important for shared lab computers and student devices where multiple users may have administrative access for legitimate educational purposes.

In Addigy

Addigy can report on SIP status for managed Macs through device inventory, showing whether SIP is enabled, disabled, or partially disabled. While Addigy cannot remotely disable SIP (Apple requires local access via Recovery Mode for security reasons), admins can use Addigy to identify devices with unexpected SIP states and investigate potential security policy violations or unauthorized modifications.