I'm a Mac noob too :D I just received one as a gift a few weeks ago (by the end of this year) and i don't use it very often...
I'm afraid that i can't help about security options... Btw i think i just have a normal account. I don't have to enter a login/password to log in.

If you have some "difficulties" with your company's Mac i think you are right. It's better to keep the try/catch in case some mac have different settings.