Qualys Cloud Agent on MacOS

Overview

The Qualys Cloud Agent is a lightweight, self-updating service that runs in the background of macOS devices. It collects real-time telemetry and transmits it securely to the Qualys Cloud Platform, empowering IT and security teams to monitor device posture across both corporate and remote endpoints.

This guide helps you:

• Understand system requirements for macOS agent installation
• Deploy the agent manually or using deployment tools (e.g., Jamf, Munki)
• Configure activation keys and proxy settings
• Validate agent registration and operational status

Who Should Use This Guide?

• macOS Administrators and Endpoint Engineers
• IT Operations and Security Teams
• Mobile Workforce Device Managers
• Organizations managing BYOD or remote Macs

Before You Begin

• macOS version is 10.14 (Mojave) or later (including Apple Silicon support)
• Admin or sudo access on the target device
• Valid Qualys Activation Key with required modules enabled
• Internet access to Qualys Cloud Platform (HTTPS port 443)
• (Optional) macOS device management solution for silent deployment

What You’ll Learn

• Installing the Qualys Cloud Agent manually or via terminal
• Automating deployment using Jamf, Munki, or shell scripts
• Configuring proxy settings or gateway routing (QGS)
• Viewing agent status in the Qualys Console
• Validating data collection and communication

Deployment Notes

• Agent is distributed as a signed .pkg installer
• Supports both Intel and Apple Silicon (M1/M2) architectures
• Operates silently in the background without interfering with system performance
• Ideal for work-from-home and off-network macOS devices

Related Resources

• Qualys Cloud Agent for Windows Guide
• Qualys Cloud Agent Data Sheet
• Qualys Cloud Agent API Documentation

Need Help?

For advanced use cases, automation strategies, or troubleshooting, contact your Qualys Technical Account Manager or consult the Qualys Community. You can also reach out to Qualys Support for further assistance.