| Users must ensure their use of this technology/standard is consistent with VA policies and standards, including, but not limited to,
VA Handbooks 6102 and 6500; VA Directives 6004, 6513, and 6517; and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards, including Federal Information
Processing Standards (FIPS). Users must ensure sensitive data is properly protected in compliance with all VA regulations. Prior to use of this technology, users
should check with their supervisor, Information System Security Officer (ISSO), Facility Chief Information Officer (CIO), or local Office of Information and Technology
(OI&T) representative to ensure that all actions are consistent with current VA policies and procedures prior to implementation. |
| The VA Decision Matrix displays the current and future VAIT
position regarding different releases of a TRM entry. These decisions are
based upon the best information available as of the most current date. The consumer of this information has the
responsibility to consult the organizations responsible for the desktop, testing, and/or production environments
to ensure that the target version of the technology will be supported.
|
|
|
| Legend: |
| White |
Authorized: The technology/standard has been authorized for use.
|
| Yellow |
Authorized w/ Constraints: The technology/standard can be used within the specified constraints located
below the decision matrix in the footnote[1] and on the General tab.
|
| Gray |
Unauthorized, Conditions Required[a]
: This technology or standard can be used only if a POA&M review is conducted and signed by
the Authorizing Official Designated Representative (AODR) as designated by the Authorizing Official (AO) or designee
and based upon a recommendation from the POA&M Compliance Enforcement,
has been granted to the project team or organization that wishes to use the technology.
|
| Orange |
Unauthorized, Conditions Required[b]
: VA has decided to divest itself on the use of the technology/standard.
As a result, all projects currently utilizing the technology/standard must plan to eliminate their use of
the technology/standard. Additional information on when the entry is projected to become unauthorized may be
found on the Decision tab for the specific entry.
|
| Black |
Unauthorized: The technology/standard is not (currently) permitted to be used under any circumstances.
|
| Blue |
Unauthorized, Conditions Required[c]
: The period of time this technology is currently being evaluated, reviewed,
and tested in controlled environments. Use of this technology is strictly controlled and not available
for use within the general population. If a customer would like to use this technology, please work with
your local or Regional OI&T office and contact the appropriate evaluation office
displayed in the notes below the decision matrix. The Local or Regional OI&T
office should submit an
inquiry to the TRM
if they require further assistance or if the evaluating office is not listed in the notes below.
|
|
| Release/Version Information: |
|
VA decisions for specific versions may include a ‘.x’ wildcard, which denotes a decision that pertains to a range of multiple versions.
|
|
For example, a technology authorized with a decision for 7.x would cover any version of 7.(Anything) - 7.(Anything). However, a 7.4.x decision
would cover any version of 7.4.(Anything), but would not cover any version of 7.5.x or 7.6.x on the TRM.
|
|
VA decisions for specific versions may include ‘+’ symbols; which denotes that the decision for the version specified also includes versions greater than
what is specified but is not to exceed or affect previous decimal places.
|
|
For example, a technology authorized with a decision for 12.6.4+ would cover any version that is greater than 12.6.4, but would not exceed the .6 decimal ie: 12.6.401
is ok, 12.6.5 is ok, 12.6.9 is ok, however 12.7.0 or 13.0 is not.
|
| Any major.minor version that is not listed in the VA Decision Matrix is considered Unauthorized, Conditions Required
[a]
. |
|
<Past |
Future> |
| 10.7.x (Lion) |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
| 10.8.x (Mntn Lion) |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
| 10.9.x (Mavericks) |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
| 10.10.x (Yosemite) |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
| 10.11.x (El Capitan) |
DIVEST [4, 9] |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
| 10.12.x (Sierra) |
DIVEST [4, 9] |
DIVEST [4, 9] |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
| 10.13.x (HighSierra) |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 9] |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 9] |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 9] |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 10, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 10, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 10, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 4, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 4, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 13, 14, 15] |
DIVEST [3, 12, 14, 16, 17] |
| 10.14.x (Mojave) |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 9] |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 9] |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 9] |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 10, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 10, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 10, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 4, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 4, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 13, 14, 15] |
DIVEST [3, 12, 14, 16, 17] |
| 10.15.x (Catalina) |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
| 11.x (Big Sur) |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 10, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 10, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [4, 10, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 4, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 4, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 13, 14, 15] |
DIVEST [3, 12, 14, 16, 17] |
| 12.x (Monterey) |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 4, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 4, 11, 12, 13] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 13, 14, 15] |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 13, 14, 15] |
DIVEST [3, 12, 14, 16, 17] |
| 13.x (Ventura) |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Approved w/Constraints [3, 12, 14, 16, 17] |
| 14.x (Sonoma) |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
| 15.x (Sequoia) |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
| 26.x (Tahoe) |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
Unapproved |
| Note: |
At the time of writing, version 26.2 (Tahoe) is the most current version, released 12/12/2025. A baseline configuration of this technology was developed by the BCM team. At the time of writing, the baseline version is 15.x. |
| | | | [3] | Use of this technology is only permitted when deployed using the organization`s gold image and managed by the Mac standardization project. | | | [4] | Due to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) identified security vulnerabilities, extra vigilance should be applied to ensure the versions remain properly patched to mitigate known and future vulnerabilities. The local ISO can provide assistance in reviewing the NIST vulnerabilities. | | | [9] | Use of this technology is only permitted when deployed using the organization`s gold image and managed by the Mac standardization project.
Per the Initial Product Review, users must abide by the following constraints:
- When establishing a password for the FileVault 2, ensure that all of the VA password requirements are met with regard to length and complexity. VA Handbook 6500 Control IA-5: Authenticator Management sets a standard of at least 8 non-blank characters. They must contain characters from three (3) of the following (4) categories:
o English upper case characters
o English lower case characters
o Base-10 digits
o Non-alphanumeric special characters
- The lack of support for MFA and the reuse of OS authentication is a concern in FileVault 2. It is essential at VA to use two-factor authentication (2FA) and not duplicate OS credentials when authenticating users before system boot. Commercial add-on products must be investigated and tested for coupling with FileVault 2 to achieve MFA/2FA.
- Since recovery keys are essentially passwords that the system generates for the user, the user will need to find a way to secure the recovery key for later retrieval if necessary. Successful implementation of FileVault 2 relies on impeccable password protection. VA must consistently conduct awareness programs emphasizing techniques to store/escrow passwords and recovery keys.
- Thoroughly test centralized management and configuration third-party add-on pairings that must be used to scale FileVault 2 implementation from its intended personal use to an enterprise solution.
- Care must be exercised to use the latest version of FileVault 2 and not to inadvertently implement Legacy FileVault by mistake. FileVault 2 must remain patched and operated in accordance with Federal and Department security and privacy policies and guidelines.
| | | [10] | Use of this technology is only permitted when deployed using the organization`s gold image and managed by the Mac standardization project.
| | | [11] | Veterans Affairs (VA) users must ensure VA sensitive data is properly protected in compliance with all VA regulations. All instances of deployment using this technology should be reviewed by the local ISO (Information Security Officer) to ensure compliance with VA Handbook 6500. | | | [12] | This technology has received one or more VA security bulletins that provide specific guidance on vulnerability patching and mitigation. It is the responsibility of VA system owners to ensure that the appropriate mitigations are taken to address all known and future discovered vulnerabilities with this product. See the Reference tab for more information on security bulletins related to this product. | | | [13] | Technology must remain patched and operated in accordance with Federal and Department security policies and guidelines in order to mitigate known and future security vulnerabilities. | | | [14] | Due to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) identified security vulnerabilities, extra vigilance should be applied to ensure the versions remain properly patched to mitigate known and future vulnerabilities. The local ISSO (Information System Security Officer) can provide assistance in reviewing the NIST vulnerabilities. | | | [15] | Veterans Affairs (VA) users must ensure VA sensitive data is properly protected in compliance with all VA regulations. All instances of deployment using this technology should be reviewed by the local ISSO (Information System Security Officer) to ensure compliance with VA Handbook 6500. | | | [16] | Veterans Affairs (VA) users must ensure VA sensitive data is properly protected in compliance with all VA regulations. All instances of deployment using this technology should be reviewed by the local ISSO (Information System Security Officer) to ensure compliance with both VA Handbook 6500 and VA Directive 6500. | | | [17] | The Federal Information Processing standards (FIPS) 140-2 certification status of this technology was not able to be verified. This technology will require a 3rd party FIPS 140-2 or 140-3 certified solution for any data containing PHI/PII or VA sensitive information, where applicable. More information regarding the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) can be found on the NIST website. |
|