Apple Certifications

Is Your IT Team Certified?

Certifications are available for most Apple technologies and skill levels from business workers to IT professionals, developers, technology trainers, and system architects.

Performance Under Pressure

Is Your Jamf Pro Server Ready?

Has your Jamf Pro server gone though many different Jamf Pro Administrators? Do you have a complete understanding of exactly how your Jamf Pro sever is configured? Let HCS preform a health check on your Jamf Pro Server.

Essential Utilities for Apple IT Administrators

Managing Apple technology in an enterprise or educational environment requires the right tools to ensure efficiency, security, and seamless user experiences. Our suite of IT utilities is designed to simplify device deployment, streamline management, and enhance security for macOS and iOS devices.

Establish your first Mac deployment

HCS Technology Group will help you implement a proof of concept (POC) efficiently and aligned with best practices for easily deploying Mac in your organization.

An ever-increasing number of Web sites boost their security via two-factor authentication (2FA), which requires you to type in a short numeric code to complete a login after entering your username and password. It’s a big win because that code is generated on the fly and is good for only a short time (often 30 seconds). So even if your username and password were revealed in a data breach, your account is safe if you use 2FA. We recommend using it whenever possible.

You get these codes—usually six digits—in one of two ways. The most common is via an SMS text message to your iPhone, but you may instead be able to generate authentication codes with an app such as 1Password, Authy, or Google Authenticator, or LastPass. And yes, if you’ve followed our advice to use 1Password or LastPass as a password manager, their capabilities to generate and enter these codes is a nice bonus.

Many sites support only the SMS text message approach, however, so Apple added features to iOS 12 and macOS 10.14 Mojave that simplify entering the codes sent via SMS.

Autofill SMS codes in iOS 12

In iOS 12, the trick to easier entering of the code is to use the QuickType bar above the standard iOS keyboard, where iOS suggests auto-complete options. Follow these steps:

Start logging in to a site that requires 2FA via SMS with your username and password. When you’re prompted for your code, tap in the Enter Code field. When the text message arrives, instead of trying to remember and retype the six digits, look at the QuickType bar at the top of the keyboard, where iOS 12 displays “From Messages” and the code. Tap it to enter the code in the field.

Submit the form to log in.

Autofill SMS codes in Mojave

In Mojave, Apple did something similar with autocomplete, but it works only in Safari, so if you prefer Google Chrome or Firefox, you’re out of luck. Follow these steps:

Using Safari, start logging in to a site that requires 2FA via SMS with your username and password, after which you’re prompted for a code. When the text message arrives, instead of trying to remember and retype the six digits from your iPhone or the macOS notification, click in the Enter Code field. The code appears in a pop-up underneath the field under the “From Messages” tag. Click it to enter the code in the field.

Submit the form to log in.

One final note. If you have a choice, use an authentication app instead of SMS for your 2FA codes. There are several ways a hacker could intercept an SMS text message meant for you and use that to complete a login. The chance of you being targeted like this is low, but there’s no reason not to use an authentication app instead to eliminate the worry. Plus, it means you can still log in even if your phone number changes, as it does if you use a different SIM card while traveling.

(Featured image by James Sutton on Unsplash)

Social Media: Two-factor authentication provides a useful additional layer of security, but it can be a pain to use. With iOS 12 and Safari in Mojave, Apple has made it dead simple to autofill SMS-based login codes. Learn how here:

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HCS Technology Group

Over 35 years of experience helping you achieve your service objectives with Apple devices and technology.

Innovative IT Solutions

Our capabilities and solutions include:

Strategy and Analytics
Technology Architecture
Engineering Services
Pre-emptive Maintenance
Break/Fix Support
Education
Large-Scale Deployments
Hosting
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Partners

Mosyle

Mosyle

With Mosyle’s MSP program, HCS Tech Group offers MDM-related services to customers so HCS Tech Group can manage your endpoints and ensure your Apple devices are running smoothly. This will facilitate learning and how technology is used in your business, as well as lower your operational expenditure and time.

Jamf

Jamf

As a managed service provider, HCS Tech Group offers strategic value to a subset of the market by identifying, securing and managing your Jamf Pro needs. A partnership with Jamf means bridging the gap between us as a method to help even more organizations succeed with Apple.

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To help ensure customer success, all sales of Jamf Pro include new customer onboarding services. We understand organizations have different needs and experience. Therefore, we offer a variety of onboarding services with multiple delivery methods and levels of training. Jamf will work with you to determine which option is the most efficient and effective for you and your organization:

  • Our full-service, personalized onboarding offerings are delivered by a Jamf Pro expert at your location.
  • Jamf remote onboarding services provide personalized sessions by a Jamf Pro expert utilizing remote connection tools.
  • For qualified customers in the US and APAC, a self-directed, no-cost onboarding option is also available.

During the personalized Jamf onboarding sessions, a Jamf Pro expert works with you to configure and integrate Jamf Pro seamlessly into your existing environment. Through a hands-on approach, the trainer will familiarize you with Jamf Pro features and configurations, provide workflow recommendations, review support resources available, and introduce you to additional training and certification options. Jamf’s self-directed onboarding is provided through a series of pre-recorded training sessions, combined with interactive tutorials and support staff to assist if needed.

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IT Solutions For All Your Needs

Handling every aspect of your computer network, from needs assessment and planning to installation, administration and training.

Business

Whether your business system consists of a single workstation or a comprehensive, high-speed, multi-station network with servers, HCS can help.

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Business

Education

HCS Technology Group provides Apple Professional Services for educational institution for K -12 As well as higher education.

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Consumer

We can help you move forward in the home as new technology emerges and will benefit you by bringing you increased productivity, efficiency, creativity, and fun.

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Consumer

Mobility

If you are considering the deployment of a large number of iPad, iPhone and/or iPod Touch devices, you want to work with experienced Mobile Technical Coordinators like those found at HCS Technology Group.

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