Everything You Need to Know About Jamf Training and Certification
Jamf certifications provide an accurate measure of the knowledge and skills needed to manage and secure Apple devices in the enterprise and at school. Learn about each certification and discover the various learning tools and resources to succeed personally and professionally with Jamf.
Introduction
Technology is a dynamic field. It grows, adapts and morphs over time at a steady cadence that is never ending. Anyone working with technology in any capacity is subject to this metamorphosis as well because of innovations introduced that change how we work collectively.
For those in IT- and Infosec-related roles, evolving your skill set is as much about staying in top productive form within your role as it is about keeping up to date with the latest technologies and trends. In short, developing your skills doesn’t just help you better manage and secure enterprise resources; it also helps teams best support and empower their users.
A traditional university is always a great option for obtaining a relevant education in various technology-related fields. But a far more time and cost-effective option is continuing education in the form of industry certifications. These offer candidates a direct path to learning about the technologies they want (or need) to learn about for themselves, or work, or both. Additionally, they offer greater flexibility to meet candidates where they feel most comfortable: be it through self-paced study, Higher-Ed-level courses, instructor-led training, or intense boot camps that are aimed primarily at candidates who need a refresher to recertify an existing skill set.
Jamf’s Customer Education Team leads one such program, offering the only source for training and certification of Jamf management and security solutions at various skill levels.
But before we proceed, let’s pivot slightly to a choose-your-own-adventure-style approach. If you’re new to industry certification or simply want a refresher on the various certification options offered by Jamf, read on; if you’re strong in the ways of Jamf and would like to try your hand at becoming a certified Jamf Expert, then feel free to hop down to the section discussing the Jamf 400 Course.
What are Jamf certifications?
Jamf certifications are courses designed to provide candidates with the knowledge necessary to perform administrative tasks commensurate with a baseline understanding. To obtain certification, each course requires candidates to possess a core set of skills that will aid them in mastering Jamf solutions.
There are multiple certifications available for candidates to take along their continuing education journey based on two unique but related categories: management and security.
“They’ve allowed me to do my job as a Jamf Admin more effectively and efficiently. I’ve also received recognition from my employer and other Jamf Admins for receiving the certifications.” — Kim Trojanowski, School District of Waukesha
Management
Learning and certification courses focus on administering device management using Jamf Pro and Jamf School MDM software. Each course is hierarchical, building upon the foundation established by its predecessor with minimum requirements set to ensure that candidates possess the skills needed to succeed within the next course and depends on the Jamf management solution you prefer.
A self-paced introduction to Jamf Pro for new and existing IT professionals managing Apple devices. It offers enterprise-focused foundations for macOS and iOS-based mobile devices, including best practices for managing Apple in the enterprise.
Our instructor-led, performance-based environment is the best way to continue learning by offering a core understanding of Jamf Pro, as well as an enterprise-focused examination of the macOS and iOS platform device and application management.
Our hands-on example- and discussion-based environment is a great way to gain a core understanding of Jamf School. This course provides an inquiry into the iOS, iPadOS and macOS platforms with a focus on successfully managing devices within an educational institution.
Following the Jamf 200 Course, this instructor-led, scenario- and performance-based course environment provides a deeper understanding of the macOS and iOS management capabilities within Jamf Pro while introducing administrative topics, such as scripting and the application programming interface (API).
The final course in the management series follows the Jamf 300 Course. This instructor-led, hands-on, scenario-based course environment concentrates on the automation functions of administering macOS and iOS-based devices by developing advanced scripts to communicate directly through the Jamf API and deploy targeted solutions with Jamf Pro across the enterprise.
Security
Learning and certification courses focus on implementing and managing endpoint security using Jamf Protect. Each course builds upon the foundation established by its predecessor to ensure that candidates possess the skills needed to secure endpoints and enforce compliance along their continuing education journey to keep macOS-based devices safeguarded.
A self-paced introduction to integrating Jamf Pro and Jamf Protect with a focus on securing macOS endpoints. It is foundational in understanding, detecting and mitigating threats to endpoints across the enterprise.
Following on from the Jamf 200 Course, this hands-on, scenario- and example-based course environment offers an examination of the macOS platform security. Additionally, it provides a core understanding of how to leverage Jamf Pro and Jamf Protect to secure macOS endpoints with an enterprise focus.
How does it benefit you and your career?
“The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.” - Robert Greene
The clearest, most evident benefit industry certification grants you lies in the adage above. The “those” it refers to in this case are the IT pros who grow their knowledge base and skill sets with each piece of information they learn. Each builds upon its predecessor, simultaneously acting as a foundation for the next, forming the never-ending building blocks of knowledge to help you work smarter, not harder.
Upskilling may also have a positive impact on your career, depending on the direction you wish to take. From a generalized purview, the greater your abilities, the more doors open on your career path. As it relates to Jamf certification, IT and Security personnel with Apple expertise — regardless of the underlying industry of an organization — are in high demand due to:
- Growing adoption rates of Apple devices in the enterprise
- A widening gap of experienced cybersecurity professionals
- Threat actors increasingly targeting Mac and mobile endpoints
“It actually made me reconsider the way I thought about myself not being at the right place and helped me being more confident on a day to day at work in terms of what I do, how I do it, and how it makes me relevant in my job to everyone in my company.” — Florent Bailly, PayFit
So, you’ve decided to get Jamf certified but don’t know where to start…
As a fellow IT/Security professional and someone who was new to Jamf a handful of years ago, using Jamf products is by far the best way to familiarize yourself with how powerful the solutions are, as well as get acquainted with what feats you can actually perform. Next, join the community of like-minded pros by signing up for a free Jamf Nation account. Jamf Nation is a virtual gathering of Jamf users of all skill sets from around the world who come together to help and be helped.
Not only is getting help a major benefit of the Jamf Nation community, but it is also a core element for all things Jamf, like announcements for new products and features, including dedicated sources for help in getting members started on their Jamf certification path, like this one that was recently published by Mitchell Gordon, Community Manager:
“We encourage you to start your Jamf journey of learning and certification with the Jamf 100 Course and then progress to the Jamf 200 Course and the Jamf 300 Course if you are interested in Apple Device management and security with Jamf Pro. However, if you are a Jamf School customer we have you covered in the Jamf 240 Course offering. But wait, if you want to learn about Jamf Protect we also have two offerings for you in the Jamf 170 and then 370 Courses. Still have questions? Let us know by contacting your Jamf Account team through Jamf Account. We look forward to seeing you in a Jamf Training course soon.”
The path at the end of the rainbow — becoming a Jamf Expert
The Jamf 400 certification exam is part of the Jamf 400 Course. The coveted title of Jamf Expert is bestowed upon those candidates who not only take the course but also pass the scenario-based certification exams administered at the course’s end.
As with any test that’s part of a sequence, the further along you go, the more challenging the exams become, and the Jamf 400 Course very much follows along that trajectory but in a meaningful, apt way that tests the candidate's knowledge of not just the materials they need to perform a task or action — but by testing the candidate directly to assess that they can perform tasks being requested of them that mirror scenarios IT administrators face in real-life.
“Knowledge is not mastery. Execution is mastery.” - Tony Robbins
Materials and resources to help you make the grade
Each Jamf certification, at its respective levels, follows a curriculum that tests knowledge domains based on the skills candidates should possess to pass the test and earn that desired certification.
“Mastery is not a function of genius or talent. It is a function of time and intense focus applied to a particular field of knowledge.” - Robert Greene
Jamf provides a host of learning tools to help candidates study for and support their understanding of the concepts and skills taught in Jamf courses. Specifically, Jamf curates and maintains repositories of knowledge bases for learners of all modalities, such as:
- Jamf Learning Hub
- Jamf Online Training Catalog
- Jamf Training and Support YouTube channel
- Jamf Pro 11.11 Release Notes video
- Bash Scripting Foundations learning path
What about candidates who’ve set their sights on conquering the Jamf 400 Course?
We present a brand new resource titled: Prepare for the Jamf 400 Course!
This free, online learning experience includes a self-paced overview of the Jamf 400 Course along with a series of puzzles that, when completed, will help you prepare for the scripting challenges of the course. Included along the way are several resources to help you dig into scripting and the Jamf API (hint, hint, this might be on the exam.)
“When I left you, I was but the learner, but now I am the master.” — Darth Vader
The module is made up of the following sections:
- A brief video introduction to the Jamf 400 Course sharing more about the format, content and certification exam structure
- A brief video explanation of the practice puzzles, including direct links to basic scripting resources
- Fourteen (14) practice puzzles to attempt (and provided answer sheet) to aid comprehension
- A short survey to collect any feedback or improvements to this learning experience
- A summary with a few brief next steps
Ready to take your skills to the next level?
Start (or keep going along) your certification path with Jamf!
