This self-paced  Device Configuration and Management (INF-103) course is a fundamental level course, aiming to prepare students for success in an IT Tech Support Specialist role. The course will equip students with the knowledge and skills to perform initial device setup and ongoing support to ensure smooth and secure operations of IT devices. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to independently install and configure Windows, manage applications and periphery, manage data on various types of storage, keep devices secure by taking preventive and reactive measures, and perform troubleshooting.

The course prepares students for the Device Configuration and Management certification, which is one of the three certifications needed to receive an IT Tech Support Specialist credential, the other two certifications being Networking and Network Security.

Duration:  24 hours of primary content. Each student will progress at their own pace.

Audience: Designed for learners looking to start their career in IT through the IT Tech Support Specialist role. Taking this certification course will prepare you to successfully perform functions such as installing and configuring Windows and providing competent ongoing support to ensure efficient and safe device, systems, and data maintenance and management.

Prerequisites  

• Experience with the Windows operating system and main Microsoft applications
• Basic understanding of main peripheral connection types
• Experience with basic data access, storage and sharing operations
• Basic understanding of device security and the main security threats
• Basic understanding of device, operating system, and application troubleshooting

Course objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:   

• Perform Windows custom installation and upgrade, and subsequent configuration, including user account and desktop settings setup
• Manage Windows applications and features, distinguish between peripheral connection types
• Define cloud storage, manage file sharing and permissions, perform backup and restore, define data access and retention policies
• Manage device security, both preventive and reactive
• Troubleshoot operating systems, applications, and devices

Required course materials:  Self-paced CertPREP IT Specialist Device Configuration and Management (INF-103) courseware.

Training outline 

Lesson 1: Windows Installation and Configuration

• Skill 1.1: Install Windows using the default settings
• Skill 1.2: Configure user account options
• Skill 1.3: Configure desktop settings
• Skill 1.4: Manage accessibility settings
• Skill 1.5: Manage updates

Lesson 2: Application and Peripheral Management

• Skill 2.1: Manage applications and Windows features
• Skill 2.2: Compare and contrast capabilities of peripheral connection types

Lesson 3: Data Access and Management

• Skill 3.1: Describe cloud services
• Skill 3.2: Describe and configure file sharing and permissions
• Skill 3.3: Manage backup and restore
• Skill 3.4: Describe data access and retention policies

Lesson 4: Device Security

• Skill 4.1: Describe network firewall settings
• Skill 4.2: Describe user authentication
• Skill 4.3: Given an attack type, describe mitigation methods
• Skill 4.4: Manage User Account Control (UAC) settings
• Skill 4.5: Manage mobile device security

Lesson 5: Troubleshooting

• Skill 5.1: Perform troubleshooting tasks
• Skill 5.2: Troubleshoot operating system and application issues
• Skill 5.3: Troubleshoot device issues
• Skill 5.4: Troubleshoot device connections to networks and domains
• Skill 5.5: Troubleshoot peripheral device connections