The Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) certification is for the help desk professional, technical coordinator, or power user who  manages networks or provides technical support for Mac users. ACSP certification verifies that you understand macOS core functionality and that you can configure key services, perform basic troubleshooting, and support multiple Mac users.

Course content

Introduction to macOS

• Describe macOS.
• Describe new macOS Big Sur 11 features.

macOS Management basics

• macOS Hardware Troubleshooting
• Installing macOS
• Recovery Tools
• Advanced Finder Techniques
• System Preferences for the System Administrator
• System Utilities for the System Administrator
• Apple Silicon Hardware
• Management Differences Between macOS Versions

Update, Upgrade, Reinstall macOS

• Describe the differences between a macOS update, upgrade, and reinstallation.
• Describe the macOS Installer.
• Update macOS.
• Upgrade macOS.
• Reinstall macOS.
• Verify system information.
• Troubleshoot a macOS upgrade or reinstallation.

Set Up Your Mac

• Complete initial macOS configuration.
• Adjust common system settings.
• Identify and install a configuration profile.

Use the Command Line

• Describe when the command-line interface is useful.
• Use man (manual) pages to find more information about commands.
• Manipulate files in the command-line interface.

Use macOS Recovery

• Access macOS Recovery utilities.
• Manage Startup Security Utility.
• Set a firmware password to secure macOS startup for Intel-based Mac computers.
• Manage Secure Boot and external boot options for Intel-based Mac computers with the T2 chip.
• Reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery.
• Create an external macOS Recovery disk.

Update macOS

• Configure automatic macOS software update settings in Software Update preferences.
• Configure automatic App Store software update settings in App Store preferences.
• Automatically update Apple-sourced software.
• Manually update Apple software.

Manage User Accounts

• Recognize various user account types and user attributes.
• Create and manage user accounts.
• Restrict access for children with Screen Time settings.
• Adjust login and fast user switching settings.

Manage User Home Folders

• Describe user home folders.
• Delete users’ accounts and archive their home folder contents.
• Migrate and restore home folders.

Introduction to Apple Remote Desktop (ARD)

• Installing Apple Remote Desktop
• Configuring Clients to use ARD
• The Apple Remote Desktop Interface
• Adding Clients to the ARD Admin Console
• Managing Mac Clients with ARD
• Installing Applications Using ARD
• IT Asset Management & Reporting in ARD
• Configuring a Remote Task Server

Manage Security and Privacy

• Describe password types and use.
• Manage secrets in Keychain.
• Turn on iCloud Keychain and manage it.
• Manage systemwide security and user privacy.
• Approve System Extensions.
• Approve Legacy system extensions.
• Use Find My.
• Secure your Mac with Activation Lock.
• Lock your screen.

Manage Password Changes

• Change known passwords.
• Reset lost user passwords.

iOS Management Basics

• iPhone and iPad Hardware Troubleshooting
• iOS Reset Options
• Activation Lock
• Configuring VPN
• Managing iOS Device Restrictions
• ScreenTime Management Techniques

Managing devices using Apple Configurator

• Installing Apple Configurator 2
• The Apple Configurator Interface
• Creating Your First *.mobileconfig Profile
• Enrolling Devices into Apple Configurator
• Managing Devices Using Apple Configurator
• Accessibility and Guided Access

macOS Server

• macOS Server Overview
• Installing macOS Server
• Managing macOS Server
• Introduction to Profile Manager
• Introduction to Directory Services
• Binding macOS Clients to Open Directory
• Introduction to File & Print Sharing
• Managing a Small Network of Macs with macOS Server

Apple Device Enrolment Program (DEP)

• Introduction to Device Enrolment
• Apple School Manager & Apple Business Manager
• iTunes U Course Manager
• Volume Purchase Program

Fundamentals of Mobile Device management (MDM)

• Introduction to Mobile Device Management
• Configuring Profile Manager in macOS Server
• Managing iOS Clients Using Profile Manager
• Managing macOS Clients using Profile Manager

Introduction to Apple and Microsoft Integration

• Mapping Windows Network Drives & Printers in macOS
• Integrating O365 with macOS and iOS
• Using MDM & Microsoft Apps to configure an Enterprise iOS Device

Introduction to Enterprise Mac Management

• Introduction to macOS Management in an Enterprise Environment
• Introduction to Unix and the Terminal CLI
• Configuring the Apache Web Server using VI

macOS and Microsoft Active Directory

• Explanation of macOS Computer Names
• Joining a Mac to Microsoft Active Directory using the GUI
• Joining a Mac to Microsoft Active Directory with a Script
• Joining a Mac to Microsoft Active Directory Using a Configuration Profile
• The Difference Between Mobile and Network Accounts
• Accessing shares with Active Directory credentials

Mass application installation

• Overview of Apple Remote Desktop in an Enterprise Environment
• Mass Installing Applications from a Disk Image
• Mass Installing Applications from a Zip File
• Mass Installing Applications from a PKG File
• Mass Installing AppStore Apps

Application preferences and End User Configuration

• User Template folder explained
• Deploy Captured Preferences with a Custom Package
• Deploy Captured Preferences with a Configuration Profile
• Sandboxed Applications and their Settings

Introduction to Munki

• Munki Demonstration
• Explanation of Munki Components

Installing a Munki Environment

• Install a web server to be used with Munki
• Configuring a Machine to manage a Munki environment
• Installing Munkitools on Clients

Packaging software for Munki Deployment

• Importing software into Munki
• Creating custom packages to run Scripts in Munki
• Automatically importing software into Munki with AutoPkg and AutoPkgr
• Munki and Mobileconfig Profiles
• Using Munki to Install Printers

Multi-site macOS Management with Munki

• Using DNS CNAMES to access nearest Munki server
• Syncing Munki Demonstration
• Setting up Cron to Sync Multiple Munki Servers
• Munki with traveling laptops

Manage File Systems and Storage

• Recognize systems that macOS supports.
• Manage disks, partitions, and volumes.
• Troubleshoot and repair partition and volume issues.

Manage FileVault

• Describe how FileVault helps protect data.
• Enable FileVault protection.
• Describe how to regain access to a FileVault-protected Mac when all local user account passwords are lost.

Manage Permissions and Sharing

• Describe file ownership and permissions.
• Explore macOS default shared folders.
• Securely manage file and folder access.

Use Hidden Items, Shortcuts, and File Archives

• Navigate to hidden files and folders.
• Examine packages and bundles.
• Manage aliases and links.
• Create and open ZIP archives and disk images.

Manage System Resources

• Explore and understand the macOS file layout.
• Discover common system files, their location, and their purpose.
• Describe System Integrity Protection.
• Manage font resources.

Use Metadata, Siri, and Spotlight

• Describe how macOS stores and uses file metadata.
• Use metadata such as tags and comments to organize your files.
• Use Siri and Spotlight to search for local and internet resources.

Manage Time Machine

• Describe Time Machine.
• Configure Time Machine to back up data.
• Restore files from a Time Machine backup.

Install Apps

• Install apps from the App Store.
• Describe app support and identify security issues.
• Install apps using software packages and the drag-and-drop method.

Manage Files

• Use Launch Services and Quick Look to open files.
• Describe how Launch Services uses the app database.
• Preview files with Quick Look and the Preview pane.
• Work with apps that support Auto Save and Versions.
• Save and open documents saved to iCloud.
• Optimize local storage to reclaim space on the system volume.

Manage and Troubleshoot Apps

• Describe and support app types.
• Install Rosetta.
• Manage app extensions and widgets in Notification Center.
• Monitor and control processes and apps.
• Explore various app troubleshooting techniques.

Manage Basic Network Settings

• Describe Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networking concepts.
• Configure and monitor network settings.
• Connect to a Wi-Fi network.

Manage Advanced Network Settings

• Describe the macOS network configuration architecture.
• Manage multiple network locations and service interfaces.
• Configure advanced network settings.

Troubleshoot Network Issues

• Identify and resolve network configuration issues.
• Verify network configuration with Network preferences.
• Use Terminal to aid in troubleshooting.

Manage Network Services

• Describe how macOS accesses shared network services.
• Configure built-in macOS network apps.
• Browse and access network file services using the Finder.
• Troubleshoot network shared service issues.

Troubleshoot Peripherals

• Manage peripheral connectivity
• Pair Bluetooth devices with your Mac.
• Troubleshoot peripheral and driver issues.

Manage Printers and Scanners

• Describe technologies that enable macOS to print.
• Configure macOS for printers and multifunction devices.
• Manage and troubleshoot print jobs.

Troubleshoot Startup and System Issues

• Describe the macOS startup process.
• Examine the essential files and processes that are required to successfully start up.
• Learn about macOS startup modes.
• Troubleshoot startup and login processes.

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