Approved Applications List

Document owner: Andrew James, CEO

Version: 1.1 Last updated: 4th June 2026 Review frequency: Quarterly (next review: August 2026)

APPROVED APPLICATIONS - MACOS (MacBook Air 15” M4)

Productivity & Communication:

• Microsoft Outlook (Microsoft 365 subscription)

• Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 subscription)

• Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 subscription)

• Microsoft PowerPoint (Microsoft 365 subscription)

• Microsoft Teams (Microsoft 365 subscription)

• Slack (team communication)

• Zoom (video conferencing)

Browsers:

• Safari (built-in with macOS)

• Google Chrome (Version 148.0.7778.168 or later)

Development & Technical:

• Visual Studio Code (code editing)

• GitHub Desktop (version control)

• MongoDB Compass (database management)

Cloud & File Management:

• Microsoft OneDrive (Microsoft 365 subscription)

• Dropbox (if used)

Business Tools:

• Figma (design)

• Miro (collaboration)

• Loom (video recording)

• DocuSign (document signing)

AI & Productivity:

• Claude Desktop

• Perplexity

• ChatGPT (OpenAI)

Utilities:

• Apple Passwords (built-in password manager)

• NordVPN (network security)

Approval method: All applications from App Store or identified developers with valid code signatures. Gatekeeper enforces technical control.

APPROVED APPLICATIONS - iOS/iPadOS (iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPad A16)

Productivity & Communication:

• Microsoft Outlook (App Store)

• Microsoft Word (App Store)

• Microsoft Excel (App Store)

• Microsoft PowerPoint (App Store)

• Microsoft Teams (App Store)

• Slack (App Store)

• Zoom (App Store)

Browser:

• Safari (built-in with iOS/iPadOS)

Cloud & File Management:

• Microsoft OneDrive (App Store)

• Dropbox (App Store - if used)

Business Tools:

• Figma (App Store)

• Miro (App Store)

• Loom (App Store)

• DocuSign (App Store)

Social Media (Business Use):

• LinkedIn (App Store)

• X/Twitter (App Store)

• Instagram (App Store)

• Threads (App Store)

• YouTube (App Store)

• Reddit (App Store)

• TikTok (App Store)

• Pinterest (App Store)

• Medium (App Store)

• Bluesky (App Store)

AI & Productivity:

• ChatGPT (App Store - if installed)

• Claude (App Store - if installed)

• Perplexity (App Store - if installed)

• Plaud (App Store - if installed)

Security:

• Microsoft Authenticator (App Store - MFA)

• Google Authenticator (App Store)

• NordVPN (App Store)

Approval method: All applications must be installed from Apple App Store only. iOS/iPadOS enforces technical control - no sideloading permitted.

TECHNICAL CONTROLS ENFORCING APPLICATION APPROVAL

MacBook Air:

• macOS Gatekeeper enabled and set to “App Store and identified developers”

• System Integrity Protection (SIP) active

• Unsigned applications blocked by default

• Administrator approval required for any exceptions

iPhone & iPad:

• iOS/iPadOS App Store is ONLY installation method

• Sideloading disabled (no developer mode)

• All apps code-signed by Apple

• Users cannot install apps from other sources

APPROVAL PROCESS FOR NEW APPLICATIONS

• User identifies need for new application

• CEO reviews application: security, business need, vendor reputation

• CEO verifies application is code-signed (Mac) or from App Store (iOS/iPadOS)

• CEO approves installation

• Application added to this approved list

• User installs application

REMOVAL PROCESS

• Applications are removed if:

• No longer needed for business purposes

• Vendor ends support or security updates

• Security vulnerability identified

• User no longer requires access

Quarterly reviews identify applications for removal.