Choose the right Hexnode Academy certification at HexCon26

HexCon26 is more than a place to attend sessions. For IT administrators and endpoint professionals, it is an opportunity to validate the skills they use every day.

This year, Hexnode Academy is bringing multiple certification paths to HexCon26, covering Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with both Professional and Specialist levels available across each platform.

So, which certification should you choose?

The answer depends on the devices you manage, the complexity of your environment, and how deep you want to go.

Start with the platform you manage most

The simplest way to choose your certification is to start with your day-to-day responsibilities.

If you primarily manage Apple devices, choose the macOS or iOS track. If your organization relies heavily on Windows endpoints, the Windows certification will likely deliver the most immediate value. Teams responsible for frontline, kiosk, or dedicated-use devices may find the Android pathway most relevant.

Across all four platforms, the certification journey follows a similar progression:

• Professional → Build foundational platform-management skills
• Specialist → Validate advanced, enterprise-level expertise

Choose Professional to strengthen your platform fundamentals

The Professional certifications are designed for IT administrators, endpoint professionals, system engineers, and teams focused on a specific device platform.

They cover the core skills needed to manage devices with Hexnode UEM, including enrollment, remote actions, policy configuration, network settings, application deployment, geofencing, and reporting.

For example, the Hexnode Certified Windows Professional certification covers setting up Hexnode UEM, managing Windows devices, executing remote actions, applying restrictions, deploying applications, configuring kiosk mode, and monitoring devices through reports.

The macOS, iOS, and Android Professional tracks follow the same foundation-first approach, tailored to each platform.

Professional is likely right for you if:

• You are relatively new to Hexnode.
• You manage endpoints regularly but want a more structured understanding of the platform.
• You want to validate broad device-management skills.
• You are moving into a dedicated UEM or endpoint-management role.

For most administrators building their platform knowledge, Professional is the natural first step.

Choose Specialist if you manage complex environments

The Specialist certifications are built for experienced IT administrators, mobility and security teams, enterprise endpoint managers, and advanced UEM professionals.

They go beyond daily device management into areas such as large-scale deployments, enterprise integrations, compliance, RBAC, advanced remote management, security controls, and automation.

Platform-specific topics include:

• Windows: Microsoft Defender, BitLocker, patch management, and automation.
• macOS: Advanced Apple management, compliance, patch management, automation, Dock and Setup Assistant configurations, and kernel extensions.
• Android: Enterprise provisioning, app and kiosk management, advanced restrictions, and automation.

Specialist is likely right for you if:

• You already manage large or complex device fleets.
• Security and compliance are part of your role.
• You work with advanced policies and automation.
• You are responsible for enterprise-scale deployments.
• You want to demonstrate deeper platform-specific expertise.

Which platform should you choose?

Each path focuses on the platform-specific controls, workflows, and enterprise scenarios administrators need to manage effectively.

Windows

Choose Windows if your environment centers on corporate PCs, endpoint security, application management, and device compliance.

The Professional path builds core management skills, while Specialist expands into enterprise security, BitLocker, advanced app management, patching, and automation.

Best fit: Windows administrators, endpoint engineers, and enterprise IT teams.

macOS

Choose macOS if you manage Macs across your organization and want to strengthen Apple-specific management skills.

The Professional path establishes the essentials, while Specialist covers advanced deployment, compliance, RBAC, patch management, and automation.

Best fit: Apple administrators, macOS fleet managers, and teams managing mixed Apple environments.

iOS

Choose iOS if your team manages enterprise iPhones and iPads.

Professional covers enrollment, apps, kiosk mode, policies, and reporting. Specialist moves into advanced iOS management, secure browsing, Business Container, SCEP security, and enterprise-scale mobility workflows.

Best fit: Mobility teams, iOS administrators, and organizations with managed mobile fleets.

Android

Choose Android if you manage enterprise mobility, dedicated devices, or kiosk deployments.

The Professional path covers core device management, while Specialist focuses on Android Enterprise provisioning, advanced kiosk and application management, remote control, and automation.

Best fit: Frontline IT teams, Android Enterprise administrators, and organizations managing dedicated or shared devices.

Think about where you want to go next

Your certification choice does not have to be based only on the devices you manage today. It can also reflect where you want your role to go next.

If you are moving from general IT support into endpoint management, a Professional certification can help formalize that transition. If you already own a platform and are taking on more security, compliance, or automation responsibilities, Specialist may be the stronger fit.

At HexCon26, learning paths lead directly into on-site certification exams, helping you turn event learning into a validated credential.

Make HexCon26 more than a conference

The best certification is the one that maps directly to the work you do.

Choose Professional if you want to build confidence in the fundamentals. Choose Specialist if you are ready to demonstrate advanced, enterprise-level expertise. Then select the platform that most closely matches the devices and workflows you manage every day.

By the time HexCon26 wraps up, you could leave with more than session notes and new ideas; you could leave with a credential that validates the skills behind them.