The Top 11 McAfee Device Control Alternatives for 2025

This tutorial will briefly explore device control and how it varies from other end-user security software. Compare and select among McAfee Device Control Alternatives:

What is device control?

Device Control software controls the usage of endpoint devices that are connected to computers. These devices include but are not limited to USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices, USB media controllers, USB peripheral ports, CD/DVDs, and Bluetooth storage devices.

Device control software regulates removable media usage on computers and networks, preventing unauthorized data transfers to and from company machines, limiting malware attacks, and stopping data loss within the organization.

The device control software can also encrypt, control, and block (if the device is lost) the usage of a company’s portable media and devices, preventing company data loss and misuse should it fall into the wrong hands. It can also help prevent and safeguard intellectual property, secrets, and sensitive information.

McAfee Device Control – End User Security

Device control software is most effective when used together with other endpoint device protection, data loss prevention, and endpoint detection and response software as part of a comprehensive computer security strategy. Some companies offer each of these four solutions separately, while others combine two or more or all of them in their package offerings.

In this tutorial, we will shortly delve into how device control is and how it differs from the other three categories of end-user security software categories, namely endpoint device protection, data loss prevention, and endpoint detection and response software.

We will then review the best McAfee device control alternatives you can utilize within your company and business settings.

How Does Device Control Work

Device control software utilizes access rules and may work in many ways. Among them completely preventing the installation of connected devices, limiting/delimiting certain types of usage such as copying files to and from connected devices, and allowing and denying certain data types to be copied to and from the connected devices.

Besides, companies may allow only certain types of devices to be used while blocking others.

Advanced device control software may also contain advanced control that allows only selected users (such as certain company workers) and user groups to install and use connected devices while blocking others from using these devices.

Most companies combine device control as part of endpoint device protection and data loss prevention software.

Device Control Software – Advantages

Among the top obvious sources for these data threats and risks are internal usage of company computers, devices, and data by employees, as well as usage of the Internet and device networking.

The use of device control policies can reduce the chances of malware/virus infections, data loss, theft, and data breaches caused by data exchange through removable media. McAfee is one of the top four providers of device control software. This tutorial looks at the best McAfee device control software alternatives.

How does device control differ from endpoint detection and response (EDR), and data loss prevention (DLP) software?

Device control software concerns itself with controlling the usage of portable media when connected to a computer and network. EDR identifies and responds to computer threats, malware, etc. As the name implies, DPL identifies and prevents potential data breaches.

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Also Read =>> Compare various USB Device Control Software Tools

How to decide which McAfee alternative is right for you?

• Device control helps to prevent leakage of sensitive data from organizations, which can happen when removable media is connected to computers, networks, and servers and used to copy data and transmit malware and viruses. Employees or others can do this.
• Device control is more than merely blocking or whitelisting the connection of removable storage media since there are productivity issues to consider.
• Such software not only implements access control policies for users and employees when they are utilizing such removable storage devices (in Bring Your Own Devices scenarios) but also can be used to whitelist, and limit the usage of (for instance, in a case where an employee may want to store files in a company-owned removable storage device), and encrypt company-owned removable storage devices used to store sensitive data. The software is also used to block company-owned removable storage devices when they get lost or stolen, which prevents loss and leakage of sensitive data.
• Modern-day device control software is also used to track files and data movement from/to company computer accessories to/from removable storage devices. Monitoring, auditing, and reporting of app/user/file/website/removable media usage can provide insights into what is needed to protect the company’s digital information.
• They can prevent internal and external data risks and threats.

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The McAfee Device Control, as described in this guide, provides data encryption, filtering, monitoring, and blocking capabilities; safe use management; and centralized security policy management to prevent data loss; and allows organizations to prove compliance with little effort.

Based on the many online reviews we found about the software, it does the job, is feature-rich and safe to use, and provides detailed control which is missing in many vendors, but some customers have raised issues with its hefty CPU and resource utilization, old-looking interface, and sometimes ePO server connectivity issues.

These are just some of the reasons one may need an alternative. Compared to top-notch competitors, it also lacks granular control capabilities in the device control access policies that users can take advantage of.

List of the Best McAfee Device Control Alternatives

Here is the popular list to consider:

1. Endpoint Protector by CoSoSys (Recommended)
2. Malwarebytes Endpoint Detection and Response
3. SentinelOne
4. Symantec (Broadcom) Endpoint Protection Device Control
5. Kaspersky Endpoint Security
6. WatchGuard
7. Trend Micro
8. ESET device control on various products
9. Forcepoint NEO Endpoint
10. Safetica ONE
11. ManageEngine Endpoints Device Control

Comparison Table of Top Alternatives to McAfee

Detailed Review:

#1) Endpoint Protector by CoSoSys (Recommended)

Best for IP, PII, and source code protection in addition to device control.

Endpoint Protector offers granular access policies in its Device Control offering, for different types of operating systems (Windows, macOS, and Linux) and portable media/devices (USB storage devices, internal CD/DVD RW, SD-card readers, internal floppy drives, local printers, network printers, windows portable device (media transfer protocols, digital cameras, and Bluetooth among other media)).

The device control solution allows organizations and their owners or admins to control data transfers by vendor ID, product ID, user, user groups, device by classes, and other categorizations. It meets compliance like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, NIST, GDPR, GLBA, etc.

It scans data manually or automatically to find data that could amount to any data safety issues. It can be used to completely or partially block any portable media from usage. Besides, it empowers computer admins and managers to remotely monitor USB and peripheral ports from a simple web-based interface.

Endpoint Device Control also offers DLP features. It is also employed in organizations to scan and discover any intellectual property and source codes in documents. It can thus be employed to protect Personally Identifiable Information such as bank account numbers and credit card information.

CoSoSys Endpoint Protector vs McAfee Device Control

Features:

• Content-aware protection and control: It uses content scanning and inspection to enhance data protection. Besides, it will log, report, and allow the management of any transfers. Also saves copies of transferred files.
• Scans to identify sensitive information in documents. It can encrypt such data, delete it as required, etc.
• Can be used as a plug-and-play hardware appliance or as a virtual appliance.
• It also allows the protection of information against being copied to the cloud, emails, and other online applications. It can also prevent screen capture (screenshots), printing of information, etc.
• Protects a wide range of data and information types, such as IPs, MAC addresses, usernames, PII, Credit Card Numbers, Social Security Numbers, etc.
• Encrypt data copied on USB storage devices. AES 256bit encryption for data on USB storage devices.
• Get reports on USB activity on all endpoints.
• Also incorporates DLP features. Prevents data leaks through all possible exit points from clipboards, screen captures, USB devices, and application control, including Microsoft Outlook, Slack, Dropbox, etc.

Pros:

• 30 days trial license
• Multi-OS
• Blocking and whitelisting. Whitelist files, domains, and URLs define the number of transfer violations as needed. Rich in customization of protections. This means you do not have to compromise productivity.
• Email alerts for most important events related to device use and transfers.
• Can be used remotely via public IP or VPN. Possible to monitor ports remotely.
• Integration with Active Directory.
• 8.2/10 rating on TrustRadius.

Cons:

• Poor protection for 3rd party applications and integration.
• No web filtering features. No complete disk encryption.

Pricing: Tailored plans after the 30-day trial period. Get a quote from the company.

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#2) Malwarebytes Endpoint Detection and Response

Best for (proprietary) Linking Engine to remove executables, artifacts, and changes; comes with annual subscription refund guarantee.

For Device Control, Malwarebytes users can create device control filters, view more details on a given restricted device (for instance file system and manufacturers, etc), see restriction events and time they took place, find which users were logged in at the time a device restriction event took place, etc.

Malwarebytes device control works alongside other endpoint device security features for comprehensive protection of computers and networks. Their solution package that contains device control features as a module is known as Endpoint Detection and Response.

It works for Windows and Mac although there is a version for servers. The suit utilizes AI and ML to detect threats before they arise, has 21 layers of protection, and uses a patented linking remediation technology for recovery, in addition to blocking unauthorized data access through USB and peripheral ports.

McAfee Device Control vs Malwarebytes

• Although it has a device control module, Malwarebytes provides very scanty details on how theirs works or even the features. But a trial version is available for any tests. It provides the capability for implementing custom device access policies, filtering, monitoring, and blocking. It does not support devices utilizing Media Transfer Protocol and Picture Transfer Protocol.
• Malwarebytes EDR includes a proprietary Linking Engine to remove executables, artifacts, and changes.
• In addition to their free trial, Malwarebytes offers a guarantee that they shall refund the annual subscription amount if someone using the suit suffers any ransomware attack. However, it is a very costly solution compared to McAfee device control. The other also offers more features.

Features:

• Users can automatically find changes made by malware on their machines and reverse those changes.
• Also offers malware protection for the device when mass storage is connected. Read only to the device, copying and modifying files in the device.
• MDR (managed detection and response) Activity monitoring, attack isolation, ransomware rollback, safer browsing, etc.
• History of USB devices blocked in the last 90 days.
• 24/7 chat and email plus priority phone support. Optional premium support.

Pros:

• Trial version.
• Refund guarantee for an annual subscription in case of malware attack.
• Device control comes alongside other aggressive protection features.

Cons:

• Not as many details are provided about the product/solution.
• No support for Media Transfer Protocol and Picture Transfer Protocol.
• Costly.

Pricing: $69.99 per device per year; $150 per device per year for servers (MDR).

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#3) SentinelOne

SentinelOne device control implements granular access policies for portable and removable devices/media whose access can be controlled and managed based on the device’s specific ID, device family, device type, etc.

It also allows for setting block, access, and restriction policies for (all or some categories/groups of) removable media for the entire enterprise or a specific unit of the same enterprise.

The software allows computer and network managers to set policies to monitor and log every usage of all peripheral devices and create rules based on that. The software will report both approved and blocked devices to activity logs whenever they are connected. Users can start with the option to only monitor devices before moving on to create access policies for the devices.

SentinelOne device control vs McAfee device control

• Unlike McAfee’s device control solution, SentinelOne offers granular control for removable media and devices.
• SentinelOne Control and Singularity Complete packages, in addition to Device Control also comprise a Firewall Control module to control network connectivity to and from all devices, including location awareness. Bother are available for Windows Workstation, macOS, and legacy Windows. Potential to add iOS, Android, Chrome OS.

Features:

• Refine rules by vendor ID, class, serial ID, and product ID.
• Permit some users to use devices with read-only or read-and-write permissions, while denying device access to computers for other users.
• Bluetooth is also included.
• Administrators can see every case of a device that was used (both approved and blocked devices).
• Uses AI to detect potential threats on machines and networks (EDR).

Pros:

• Demo available.
• Quick full scan performed within a short time of about two hours.
• No slowing down of machines.
• Granular access policies are possible over a wide range of options compared to many other device control solutions.
• A high customer rating on third-party review sites. 9.3 out of 10 scores from 82 reviews on TrustRadius for all Singularity plans.

Cons:

• Expensive for small organizations and businesses compared to many other endpoint protector solutions.
• A bit limited in terms of platform support compared to other device control solutions.
• Reviewers reported a high percentage of false positives sometimes <90%.

Pricing: From $8 per agent per month for the Singularity Control (offers EPP + EDR) and $12 per agent per month for the Complete plan (offers EPP + EDR + XDR). The core plan offers only EPP and costs $6 per agent per month. Singularity Ranger IoT costs $4 per agent per month.

Website: https://www.sentinelone.com/blog/feature-spotlight-device-control/

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#4) Symantec (Broadcom) Endpoint Protection Device Control

Best for firewall intrusion prevention in addition to device control

Broadcom’s Symantec Endpoint Protection device control solution allows organizations to block and white list portable media and connectable devices as they like.

Contained in the Symantec Endpoint Security Complete and Endpoint Security Enterprise software packages, Broadcom’s device control module provides a varied list of options for device blocking. This includes blocking or whitelisting a device by its device name, vendor, model, serial number, class ID, device ID, identification, etc. It also logs whenever a device is blocked.

Organizations can also whitelist or block removable media that can be allowed to upload or download information.

Apart from the Device Control module, Broadcom’s End Point protection software comprises firewall intrusion prevention (by analyzing incoming and outgoing traffic), as well as file and application access controls. It also offers prevention against all zero-day exploits, protects network traffic over all ports and protocols, malware and virus detection and protection, file reputation analysis, etc.

Semantic Device Control vs McAfee Device Control

• Both are provided as modules in each of the company’s endpoint protection software. They work on the cloud, utilize machine learning for proactive protection, and have a host of features as endpoint protection software. They allow for, among other things, centralized management and role-based device protection policies, among other things.
• Both also require administrators and those making the protection policies to have strict knowledge of these issues.
• Semantic is more expensive than McAfee Device Control even though it appears to have better threat scanning and detection.

Features:

• Create a custom message to appear when notifying users of blocked devices when they start or are connected.
• Prevent users from enabling or disabling device control.
• Offers protection for a wide range of devices – SD cards, USB devices, Thunderbolt devices, CD/DVDs, FireWire devices, etc.
• The software leverages artificial intelligence for virus and malware infection behavioral analyses.

Pros:

• Provides detailed reports about the devices, applications, and logs.
• Makes it possible to add user groups and device groups to ensure the setting of stricter and varied security controls for your devices.
• In addition to ticketing and telephone support, you get detailed instructional articles, videos, and user discussion boards to assist in case there are issues.

Cons:

• Software can only be bought from vendors and there is no specific listing on the Broadcom website.
• Poor patching support and users may need to reinstall the software for purposes of upgrading every time a new OS is released.

Pricing: Pricing ranges from $16.90 to $49.99 depending on what features you need and the vendor you buy from.

Website: https://www.broadcom.com/products/cybersecurity/endpoint

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#5) Kaspersky Endpoint Security

Best for task automation within device control settings and controlling a wide range of supported media.

Kaspersky Device Control works alongside encryption policies to protect organizations against attacks. It allows managers, admins, and organizations to create rules for allowed devices, set read/write permissions for devices, log delete/copy operations, and align device controls with Active Directory users.

Device Control is available for Windows on personal computers but it offers data protection against all types of connected devices including WiFi modules, cameras, hard drives, and USB devices.

Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Windows laptops, desktops, tablets, and servers incorporates proactive device protection technologies in addition to on-spot and real-time blocking and protection against a diverse range of vulnerabilities.

In addition to ML and AI-driven real-time monitoring that is backed by a 50TB database and billions of hashes, clients will get full device encryption, on-transit file encryption, remote data wipes for lost devices, blocking of apps that defy software learned user behavior, and stops threats coming from the internet and connected USB devices.

Kaspersky Device Control vs McAfee Device Control

• Like the McAfee device control offering, Kaspersky also provides Device control as a module in its Endpoint Security software suit. Kaspersky also provides data access protection and access policies for about 14 types of devices that can be connected to a PC including external network adapters, MTP, cameras, and scanners. Kaspersky also offers a detailed explanation of how the device access rules can be configured.
• The Kaspersky software that offers device control is more expensive than McAfee’s.

Features:

• Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, and servers are also covered. Web, email, and device protections.
• Task automation is also supported.
• Solutions are categorized and offered based on the size of the organization and businesses.
• Block, allow and limit device access by device ID, model, ID mask, etc. Save device connection/disconnection events, add a device to a trusted list, get notifications on blocked devices, send a user access instructions if they request, prevent network bridging, send a message to an administrator when a device is blocked, customize the message that appears to the user after a blockage, etc.

Pros:

• 30-day trial period for products and solutions.
• Tried and tested solutions. Also offers a wide range of business software security suits.
• Categorization of solutions per business removes difficulty in selecting a solution among the several that are available.

Cons:

• Quite expensive software.

Pricing: $592.90/year for Enterprise-grade endpoint protection; $1,094.50/year for Endpoint Security for Business advances and Total Security for Businesses whose price varies per authorized pre-sellers. Business products vary from $172.50 to $297 per year.

Website: https://www.kaspersky.co.za/

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#6) WatchGuard

Best for a wide range of supported media types to be controlled. Best for protecting Personal Identifiable Information, bank accounts, email addresses, etc.

WatchGuard provides a host of cybersecurity solutions for private, enterprise computers, and servers running Windows, Linux, Mac, or devices running Android, and iOS operating systems.

The line of products (that offer device control functionality) includes Endpoint Security, WatchGuard Cloud, FireWare, Authentication (AuthPoint), and Gateways, among others. The device control aspect covers varied types of devices including mobile devices, modems, and imaging devices, in addition to ordinary storage media.

WatchGuard provides details on how users can configure the settings and even troubleshoot issues related to these configurations. The company also offers support in case users are unable to troubleshoot.

In addition to customizing the access policies for connected devices, clients can monitor data on machines and discover or uncover risks. They can block programs, encrypt devices, etc.

WatchGuard device control vs McAfee Device Control

WatchGuard can be a great alternative to McAfee device control given it provides a rich control for connected media albeit of nearly the same features as McAfee device control offering. It, however, currently and unlike McAfee, provides up to a 60-day trial period in which clients can thoroughly test the features in full production settings.

Features:

• Create data security profiles and access rules/policies and assign them to one computer or certain device groups. Such assignments can be done manually or automated.
• Clients can search and keep an inventory of and protect specific data such as Personal Identifiable Information, bank accounts, email addresses, etc in computers. They can monitor process actions on such data. They can allow or deny the writing of these to removable media.
• Monitor actions on files. Create multiple rule conditions when defining monitoring rules.
• Endpoint Security features 6 different modules including full encryption, patch management, advanced reporting tool, data control, and SIEMFeeder for integrated security intelligence. Device Control is a feature of the Endpoint Control Core software.
• Provides four types of licenses: trial, term which expires after a given term, subscription-based, and NFR for service providers only.

Pros:

• Trial licenses for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days. Up to 250 endpoints for WatchGuard Endpoint Security solution. The demo is also available.
• Detailed self-help guides on how to use the device control and other features.

Cons:

• No disclosure on pricing for open comparison.

Pricing: Get a quote from the company.

Website: https://watchguard.com/wgrd-products/endpoint-security

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#7) Trend Micro

Best for cost-effective McAfee Endpoint security solution.

Trend Micro device control is also offered as a feature in the company’s endpoint security software through the OfficeScan client. It, therefore, is used alongside other device security practices and policies for comprehensive protection against data loss, leakage, malware, and unauthorized access.

OfficeScan admins can configure protection policies for internal and external clients. The software determines whether a client’s location is internal or external based on the location criteria set by the software’s admins in the Computer Location screen of the software.

Based on the location policies, the software can block/allow a user’s access to websites on the machine. These policies also determine how the risk of sent files will be assessed, with a stricter policy implemented for external clients. External clients also face a stricter policy when it comes to composing control policies.

Trend Micro device control vs McAfee device control

• Trend Micro comes out as a cheaper alternative to McAfee device control although the latter offers better malware shielding to computers against connected removable storage devices. The former is better known for use with enterprise systems while the former is more famous for use with consumer systems.

Features:

• Device Control is supported on 32-bit platforms. It can also be enabled on Windows Server 2003 and 2008 32-bit versions.
• The types of devices controlled depend on one’s Data Protection module license but they include about 11 types of storage and non-storage devices such as print screen keys, PCMCIA cards, modems, infrared devices, imaging devices, IEEE 1394 interfaces, COM and LPT ports. Storage devices that can be controlled include network drives, USB storage devices, CD/DVDs, and floppy disks.
• Allow or deny specific programs to access or not access connected removable storage devices.
• Device control notifications to users when devices are disallowed. Notification messages can also be modified.
• Device control logs are sent to the server after every 24 hours. Admins can configure deletion schedules or set acceptable log file sizes before deletion.
• Trend Micro OfficeScan Server also entails other features such as anti-malware and antivirus, data recovery and destruction, encryption, identity management, and password management, among many others.

Pros:

• A detailed guide on how to use and configure Device Control.
• Different policies can be enforced for individual clients, groups of clients, external clients, and internal clients. It also allows control of the behavior of specific programs concerning device control.
• Free trials are available. Multiple services can be tried for free. 30 or 60-day trial period without the need to submit credit card information.

Cons:

• While there are granular and advanced permissions that can be implemented on storage devices, these do not exist for non-storage devices. You can only allow or block access to them.
• This only applies to Windows 32-bit devices and servers.

Pricing: Get a quote from the company.

Website: https://www.trendmicro.com/en_vn/business/products/user-protection/sps/endpoint/officescan.html#features-tm-anchor

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#8) ESET Device Control on Various Products

Best for user and group-based rule applications. Rules are based on individual users, user groups, and directories.

ESET device control module is included in ESET File Security and ESET Endpoint Security software. The feature supports 11+ listed and non-listed types of devices including storage and non-storage devices (for instance modems, imaging devices, smart card readers, FireWire storage, USB printers).

The Rules Editor allows for the refining of access policies that define various ways such media will be treated once connected.

Like in many other cases in this guide, we find that ESET device control is provided as a feature/module alongside others for the comprehensive protection of computers and networked devices. For instance, it is included in the ESET Endpoint Antivirus, Endpoint Security for Windows, Endpoint Antivirus for macOS, and Endpoint Security for macOS, among other products.

ESET device control vs McAfee device control

• ESET device control is included in many products that offer endpoint security to devices operating on Windows, Linux, Mac, and other operating systems. It also comes with a 30-day trial period except that it is pricier and has lesser granular control in terms of policies that can be implemented.

Features:

• Log entries can be read from the main ESET window and show triggers for Device Control. Logs relate to things such as time, the device connected, the username involved, group name, event details, and other things.
• Rules can be created for specific users or groups of users. Device Control is integrated with directory services to make use of Active Directory groups for configurations. The rules are made using device parameters such as serial number, manufacturer ID, model, and many more.

Pros:

• Simple and direct to use. The company also offers guides and examples on how to configure device control.
• Free trial without commitment.
• ESET products that come with device controls work for or on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.

Cons:

• Doesn’t provide as much granular control of devices compared to McAfee’s device control feature.
• ESET products that come with device control are quite costlier compared to McAfee products that come with Device Control.

Pricing: Get a quote from the company.

Website: https://eset.com/us/business/small-and-medium

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#9) Forcepoint NEO Endpoint

Best for remote-based device control implementation.

ForcePoint NEO platform, which works on Windows and macOS, encompasses three aspects namely web control, user activity monitoring, and device control.

Therefore, device control works with these other aspects for comprehensive device protection. Their device control module monitors data and information transferred to and from connected removable media. All device types can be monitored.

NEO Endpoint works for Windows, macOS, and MECM/JAMF-managed environments. The Windows platform can be integrated with the company’s Web Security Cloud to analyze web traffic.

Forcepoint device control vs McAfee device control

• Forcepoint device control is not as granular as McAfee’s in terms of the type of access policies that can be set, although it appears straightforward and easier to implement.
• Unlike McAfee’s, Forcepoint allows the importing of rules using CSV and JSON formats. Risk adaptive protection, which allows admins to set and implement policies based on a user’s risk profile/level is also a plus for the Forcepoint device control module.

Features:

• Add rules that apply to a given device or group of devices.
• Choose to or not to display notifications to the user after a device control event, choose the default or custom notification message, block/allow totally or make the device a read-only, and choose the duration after which to dismiss a notification. You can add control based on a user’s risk level (low, medium, high, critical), include or except a user (who has an account on Neo portal) or their groups to or from control policies/rules, rules that can be customized, deleted, added, duplicated, imported/exported, and disabled.
• The NEO platform implements over-the-air updates, centralized dashboards, cloud management, and other things. This allows admins to monitor remotely user activity including that relating to device control.
• Create rules for the use of removable media using a combination of device, users, and endpoint parameters.
• Support.

Pros:

• In addition to allowing for importing of rules in the form of JSON and CSV, Forcepoint also provides detailed guidelines on how to create and implement all rules.
• Straightforward to understand and implement, and not complicated.
• Forcepoint Neo is cloud-based and thus accessible across different operating systems.
• Free product demos are available from the free trial demo page or by calling them.

Cons:

• Device Control is not as detailed in terms of features compared to offerings from other companies. Rules appear to be mainly of three categories: Allow, Block, and Read-only.

Pricing: Get a quote from the company.

Website: https://forcepoint.com

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#10) Safetica ONE

Best for added storage, media encryption, process/user activity/website/app/other resources auditing

Safetica device control not only prevents malware from spreading to computers to which removable storage devices are connected (for instance through user access control policies) but also optimizes data security by encrypting data stored on this media. The software allows admins to define what devices (or types) can be used on the machine, who can use them, etc.

The device control module is found on the Safetica One that runs on macOS and Windows operating systems. Safetica One device control handles different types of devices including USB devices, Firewall devices, Windows Portable devices, Bluetooth devices, and others.

Devices can be ignored (e.g. by default, cameras, microphones, and headsets) and these must be added to a Zone to be controlled appropriately.

The Device Control under the Protection section provides for how the computer will treat specified controlled devices. Those added in the Zones are evaluated before those under the Ignored devices category, and those in the Device control. Ignored devices do not have any control policies applying to them.

As an EDR, it also provides additional protection for the computer such as by ensuring safe browsing, auditing applications/websites/emails/printing/devices, etc. Safetica One 10 and 11 allow detailed user and resource audits to uncover how these resources have been utilized.

It helps to classify data and audit its flow to prevent leakage. It can be used to protect sensitive companies and personal information such as source codes, blueprints, and data from leakages and abuse.

Safetica device control vs McAfee device control

• Safetica device control, which is also provided as a feature in Windows and macOS Safetica One software, provides the ability to limit or delimit the use of devices and apps by user and user groups but is limited in the extent of access policies that can be created.
• One advantage of Safetica One over McAfee Endpoint Security is its detailed use of audit features. One can audit data flow, emails, websites used, and content. These can be classified for purposes of threat detection and protection.

Features:

• The three categories of protection policies (ignored devices, those in zones, and those under device control) allow for different treatment of different classes of the same type of devices.
• Block removable devices owned by the company that get lost (done in the Zone section). These cannot be used again on the machine. This is done by the USB device’s serial number or ID. Devices can be controlled (for instance added into the ignored zone) by their compatible ID, or hardware ID of their parent USB hub, port, extender, etc.
• Add default-blocked devices to ignored zones, block or allow certain devices per user, etc.
• Device action logs that are sent to admins.
• Safetica One also supports protection against brute-force attacks and can be used on ERP systems. It also incorporates physical, virtual, and networked printer control via Zone.
• It integrates with Microsoft 365 and Fortinet network appliances.
• Regulatory compliance.
• Data protection on remote connections.

Pros:

• End-user re-branding e.g. changing the logo.
• Detailed audits for websites, user activity, emails, and other things for comprehensive risk identification and prevention.
• API for reporting data to analytics and visualization services. SIEMs can also be integrated to receive automated incidence reporting.

Cons:

• Not as granular control of the device by access policies (access policies are limited when you compare this software with other DLPs).

Pricing: Get a quote from the company.

Website: https://safetica.com/products-safetica-one

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#11) ManageEngine Endpoints Device Control

Best For comprehensive audit and reporting on device control events and other things.

Like other device control solutions, the ManageEngine Endpoints Device Control Plus feature allows admins and owners to monitor, block, and control the usage of USB and peripheral devices that are connected to a computer concerning unauthorized access to company data and information.

ManageEngine Endpoints Device Control Plus vs McAfee device control

• Providing granular access control policies, ManageEngine is one of the best replacements or alternatives for McAfee device control for enterprises that need to control hundreds of endpoints without hassle, except that it comes out as expensive.

Features:

• Create access policies to monitor data transfers to removable and connected media.
• Create a list of trusted devices (device classification). Other things to do include assigning file access control, privileged access, or role-based file and data access control.
• Granted temporary timed access if you want. Prevent the strictest access policies from affecting productivity.
• Dashboard: See reports (get comprehensive audits and reports on device control patterns, hazards, etc) and device configurations. You also get a single console for centralized access and control.
• Deploy access policies via APN connectivity.

Pros:

• Personalized product demo available. Free 30-day trial with all features.
• Incorporates data backups and recovery. For instance, the software can retain copies of files and data that have been transferred to removable devices.
• Granular control of access for devices.

Cons:

• Not as much of guidelines are provided on how to create policies or implement them.
• Quite expensive compared to McAfee device control.

Pricing: Depends on the number of endpoints one requires to control from $745 to $1,045/year for Professional, $945 to $1,245 for Enterprise, and from $1,095 to $1,395 for UEM. (This lowest package allows the management of 50 endpoints).

For 10,000 endpoints costs range from $43,195. Additional costs (starting at $345/per technician for Professionals) also apply for additional technician(s).

Website: https://manageengine.com/device-control

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Frequently Asked Questions

Please visit the Data Protection ->DLP Policy Manager ->Device Control in the software menu. You can further learn how to add new items to the block list, and allowed list, or how to create device control rules using this video:

You can also refer to software guides for further information on controlling connected storage and non-storage media using DLP.

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Conclusion

We investigated, in this tutorial, the top McAfee device control alternatives. We found that device control features are mainly provided as modules in DLP (data loss protection) and endpoint security software.

Endpoint security software provides comprehensive computer/server security using device control alongside other aspects such as AML/AI-driven malware/virus scanning and removal, data monitoring and categorization for risk identification, web browsing protection, and activity/file/data/user activity auditing and reporting, among others.

There are many alternatives one can take to McAfee device control, although most of them are more expensive. CoSoSys Endpoint Protector is among the top contender alternatives, referring to itself as a multi-OS solution (works on Windows, Linux, and macOS).

Endpoint Protector, same as Broadcom’s Symantec Endpoint Protection, Malwarebytes, Kaspersky Endpoint Security, and WatchGuard, offers granular device control policies comparable to, or better than, McAfee’s in many regards and are the top alternatives.

In addition to McAfee’s operating systems, some of these are compatible with macOS, Linux platforms, Android (such as WatchGuard), iOS (such as WatchGuard), and server distributions.

We ranked them based on how rich their features are, the operating systems they support, the extent of device control, availability of trial or free licenses of the software, and course, pricing. McAfee device control, however, ranks higher than most when it comes to pricing for the module.

Research process:

• Time Taken To Research And Write This Article: `1.5 days
• Total Tools Researched Online: 20
• Top Tools Shortlisted For Review: 11