All posts tagged training

PKI Fundamentals with Microsoft AD CS Training Course

I’m excited to announce that I’ve partnered once again with the fine folks at the ViaMonstra Online Academy to deliver a new live training course entitled PKI Fundamentals with Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS). The event consists of six weekly live webinars beginning on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 3:00 PM CST.

Why AD CS Training?

Digital certificates are strong, phishing-resistant credentials that are an excellent choice for authentication to critical workloads like Always On VPN and enterprise Wi-Fi. However, managing certificate services infrastructure can be daunting. This course provides administrators with a fundamental understanding of enterprise PKI with Microsoft AD CS.

Course Overview

The event format for this course consists of six weekly live sessions on Thursdays starting on January 15, 2026. The classes are two hours long, running from 3:00 PM CST to 5:00 PM CST each day. During the course, we’ll cover the following topics.

  • PKI concepts and certificate use cases
  • Designing and deploying certificate authorities (CAs)
  • Configuring templates and enrollment
  • Managing revocation and maintenance

Who Should Attend

Organizations planning to use certificate authentication for enterprise VPN and Wi-Fi workloads will benefit from this training course. Also, those considering a new AD CS deployment will find this training beneficial. In addition, administrators managing an existing production AD CS environment will gain valuable insight.

Enroll Now

Registration for this training class is available now. The cost is $295.00—an incredible bargain! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to gain foundational AD CS skills. Click the registration link below and reserve your spot today!

Additional Information

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

Enterprise PKI

Cloud PKI for Microsoft Intune

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by Richard M. Hicks on November 6, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Authentication and MFA, Certificate-Based Authentication, PKI, TLS, Training and Events, Windows Server
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on November 6, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/11/06/pki-fundamentals-with-microsoft-ad-cs-training-course/

Always On VPN Ask Me Anything (AMA) November 2025

It’s been a while since we’ve held our last AMA, so I’ve added an event to the calendar so we can all connect once more before the end of the year. With that, the next Always On VPN AMA session is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM PDT (UTC-8).

Do you have questions about Always On VPN? Are you having a specific issue you can’t figure out? Would you like more information about configuration options? Here’s your chance to get your questions answered! Register now and join the session to ask me anything (AMA!) about Microsoft Windows Always On VPN and related technologies.

The AMA will be an open forum session where we can all talk shop about Always On VPN and related technologies. It’s a great chance to learn new things and share experiences with your peers. We’ll discuss known issues and limitations, best practices, and more. I’m also planning to have some special guests, so be sure to join us!

Everyone is welcome. Don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity to connect and learn. Register now!

Can’t make the session? Register anyway, and I’ll send you the link to the recording as soon as it is available!

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by Richard M. Hicks on November 3, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, Always On VPN DPC, Training and Events
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on November 3, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/11/03/always-on-vpn-ask-me-anything-ama-november-2025/

Workplace Ninjas Conference U.S. 2025

I’m excited to announce I’ll be presenting at the inaugural U.S. Workplace Ninjas Conference! This two-day event takes place December 9-10, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. Much like the popular Workplace Ninjas Conference held in Switzerland, this event focuses on systems management and endpoint security with Microsoft technologies. It features an impressive lineup of speakers from around the world.

Session Topics

The conference will feature more than 50 deep-dive sessions on a variety of topics, including:

  • Microsoft Intune
  • Microsoft Entra
  • Microsoft Security
  • Windows 11
  • Cloud Security
  • Automation

Why You Should Attend

The Workplace Ninja Conference is a must-attend event for IT pros to dive into endpoint management, cybersecurity, and Microsoft innovations through expert sessions and networking. Attendees will benefit from the following:

  • Practical Learning: Engage in over 50 expert-led sessions, hands-on labs, and real-world demos focused on Microsoft Intune, Entra, Windows 11, and more.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with Microsoft MVPs, peers, and top vendors in a collaborative environment, including the Expo Hall.
  • Specialized Tracks: Benefit from dedicated sessions on Women-In-Tech and Neurodiversity-In-Tech, alongside core topics like cybersecurity and automation.

Register Now

Registration for this two-day event is open now. Be sure to reserve your spot today. I look forward to seeing you there!

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by Richard M. Hicks on September 11, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Entra ID, Microsoft Intune, Training and Events
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on September 11, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/09/11/workplace-ninjas-conference-u-s-2025/

Mastering Certificates with Microsoft Intune August 2025

I’m excited to announce that I will be delivering another edition of the Mastering Certificates with Microsoft Intune course, hosted by ViaMonstra Online Academy. This is a three-day live online training course that takes place August 26-28, 2025. This course dives deep into issuing and managing certificates using Microsoft Intune, covering both on-premises and cloud-based solutions.

Course Overview

This interactive training equips IT professionals with the skills to provision and manage enterprise PKI certificates using Microsoft Intune. It explores Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), Microsoft Cloud PKI for Intune, and non-Microsoft solutions, with live demonstrations featuring real-world scenarios.

Key Learning Objectives

Those taking the online training course will learn the following.

  • Certificate Basics: Understand certificate roles and enterprise use cases.
  • Deployment Options: Master Intune certificate deployment (Intune policies, revocation, security) and Microsoft Cloud PKI (licensing, benefits, limitations, BYOCA).
  • Intune Deployment: Learn PKCS and SCEP deployment, security best practices, and troubleshooting.
  • High Availability: Explore strategies for reliable certificate management.

Course Highlights

Here are some key highlights for attendees of the training.

  • Expert-Led: Learn from a veteran IT professional, a Microsoft MVP, with deep PKI and Intune expertise.
  • Interactive Demonstrations: The course includes numerous practical exercises in real-world scenarios.
  • Resources: Access to security best practices and sample scripts for automated configuration.
  • Community: Join a private Facebook group for peer collaboration.
  • Live Q&A: Engage directly with the instructor for a clearer understanding.

Who Should Attend?

This training event is ideal for IT administrators, security professionals, and systems engineers working with Intune, AD CS, or Microsoft Cloud PKI for Intune.

Prerequisites

Those attending the online training course should be familiar with the following.

  • Basic networking knowledge (TCP/IP, DNS).
  • Familiarity with Active Directory, Windows OS, and Intune.
  • Access to an AD CS setup and an Azure subscription with Intune Suite licenses.

Why It Matters

Certificates are vital for secure authentication and communication. This course bridges theory and practice, equipping you to deploy and manage digital certificates effectively in cloud-native environments.

Details

Here is some additional information about the training event.

  • When: August 26-28, 2025 (sessions begin at 9:00 AM CDT).
  • Where: Live online via ViaMonstra Online Academy.
  • Cost: $2,395.00 (Sold separately – not included in All-Access Pass).

Why ViaMonstra?

ViaMonstra delivers top-tier IT training from Microsoft MVPs, focusing on practical, up-to-date skills and fostering a collaborative community.

Take the Next Step

Ready to master certificate management with Microsoft Intune? Register at ViaMonstra Online Academy for the August 2025 Mastering Certificates with Microsoft Intune training course today!

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by Richard M. Hicks on June 27, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Authentication and MFA, Certificate-Based Authentication, Cloud PKI, Cryptography, Entra ID, Intune Certificate Connector, Microsoft Intune, NDES and SCEP, PKI, Training and Events, Windows Server
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on June 27, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/06/27/mastering-certificates-with-microsoft-intune-august-2025/

Techmentor Conference at Microsoft HQ 2025

I’m very excited to announce that I will be attending the annual Techmentor Conference at the Microsoft HQ campus in Redmond, Washington, this year. The event takes place August 11-15, 2025. The Techmentor Conference is one of my favorite IT pro conferences because it offers unparalleled access to experts worldwide. I will deliver two presentations at this year’s event. I hope you’ll join me!

Entra Private Access

On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, I will be presenting a session on Zero Trust Network Access with Microsoft Entra Private Access. ZTNA is the future of remote access and provides many security and operational benefits over traditional client-based VPN technologies.

T11 – Zero Trust Network Access with Entra Private Access

Cloud PKI for Intune

On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, I’ll discuss Simplified Certificate Management with Microsoft Cloud PKI for Intune. As organizations integrate cloud-native devices in their environments, administrators must solve the problem of issuing and managing certificates for users and devices that are not domain-joined. Cloud PKI for Intune is an excellent solution that provides deployment flexibility to address these unique and specific requirements.

W10 – Simplified Certificate Management with Cloud PKI for Intune

Register Now

Registration for the event is open now. Use the promo code HICKS and receive $500.00 off the price of admission. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to learn from the best. Register today!

Additional Information

Techmentor Conference at Microsoft HQ 2025

Techmentor Conference at Microsoft HQ 2025 – Session List

Microsoft Entra Private Access

Microsoft Cloud PKI for Intune

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by Richard M. Hicks on June 25, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Authentication and MFA, Certificate-Based Authentication, Cloud PKI, Conditional Access, Entra Global Secure Access, Entra ID, Entra Private Access, Intune Certificate Connector, Microsoft Intune, PKI, Training and Events, Zero Trust and SSE
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on June 25, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/06/25/techmentor-conference-at-microsoft-hq-2025/

Always On VPN Ask Me Anything (AMA) May 2025

Some recent changes have impacted Always On VPN administrators, so I thought having another AMA session this month would be a good idea. The next event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM PDT (UTC-7).

Do you have questions about Always On VPN? Are you having a specific issue you can’t figure out? Would you like more information about configuration options? Here’s your chance to get your questions answered! Register now and join the session for an opportunity to ask me anything (AMA!) about Microsoft Windows Always On VPN and related technologies.

The AMA will be an open forum session where we can all talk shop about Always On VPN. It’s a great chance to learn new things and share experiences with your peers. We’ll discuss known issues and limitations, best practices, and more. I’m also planning to have some special guests, so be sure to join us!

Everyone is welcome. Don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity to connect and learn. Register now!

Can’t make the session? Register anyway, and I’ll send you the link to the recording as soon as it is available!

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by Richard M. Hicks on May 1, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, Always On VPN DPC, Training and Events
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on May 1, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/05/01/always-on-vpn-ask-me-anything-ama-may-2025/

Always On VPN Discord Channel

I’m excited to announce the launch of a brand-new Discord channel dedicated to administrators working with Always On VPN! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, this community is designed to be your go-to hub for collaboration, troubleshooting, and staying up to date on all things Always On VPN. The channel was established by my good friend Leo D’Arcy, the creator of the popular Always On VPN Dynamic Profile Generator (DPC) software.

Why Discord?

Always On VPN is a powerful solution for secure, seamless remote connectivity, but managing it comes with its own set of challenges. From configuration quirks to deployment strategies, administrators often need a space to share insights, ask questions, and learn from one another in real time. That’s where our new Discord channel comes in.

Community Forum

Discord offers a dynamic, user-friendly platform for instant communication and community building. Unlike forums or email threads, it’s a place where you can start a conversation, jump into live discussions, share resources, ask questions, share important insights or experiences, and much more.

Channels

Today, the Always On VPN Discord channel is part of the Microsoft Remote Access User Group Discord Server. It consists of multiple channels divided into the following topics.

General – This is a great place to introduce yourself and say hello to everyone!

DPC-Development – Here, you can ask questions about DPC, provide feedback, and suggest new features and functionality.

DPC-Chat – This channel is for administrators to discuss all things DPC, including deployment strategies, operation, support, and more.

Aovpn-Chat – If you’ve deployed Always On VPN but aren’t using DPC, this is your channel! Although DPC is fantastic, not everyone is using it. In this channel, you can submit questions and share general information about Always On VPN.

Gsa-Chat – We’ve also included a Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access channel for the new Microsoft Security Service Edge (SSE) solution, which includes Entra Private Access. This channel is pretty quiet right now. Hopefully, it will grow in the future!

DirectAccess-Chat – Yes, we realize some of you are still running DirectAccess, so there’s also a channel for you! Feel free to drop in and ask questions here, hopefully about migrating soon. 😉

Who Is This For?

This channel is open to anyone managing Microsoft secure remote access products. Whether you’re an IT administrator in a small business, an enterprise network engineer, or a consultant helping clients stay connected. If you’re working with Microsoft remote access technologies, this is the place to be!

Why Not Reddit?

Funny story: I tried to create an Always On VPN subreddit a few years ago. It lasted one day before it was banned! No reason was given, and I couldn’t get anyone from Reddit to respond. I answer questions ad hoc on Reddit all the time, but there’s no dedicated space for Always On VPN or Microsoft remote access in general.

How To Join

Joining our Discord channel is easy.

  1. Click this link.
  2. Set up your Discord account if you don’t already have one. It’s free and only takes a minute!
  3. Optionally, you can download the Discord app here.
  4. Say hello and introduce yourself in the #general channel.
  5. Explore the other channels, ask questions, give feedback, and share your expertise!

See You There!

Leo and I, along with many other experienced Always On VPN administrators, are on the forums daily. We encourage you to share your expertise, ask questions, and help others along the way. The more we contribute, the stronger this resource becomes for everyone. Join us today!

Additional Information

Always On VPN Discord Channel

Always On VPN Dynamic Profile Configurator (DPC)

DPC on GitHub

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by Richard M. Hicks on March 10, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, Always On VPN DPC, DirectAccess, Entra Global Secure Access, Entra ID, Entra Private Access, Microsoft Intune, PowerShell, Training and Events, Windows Server, Zero Trust and SSE
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on March 10, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/03/10/always-on-vpn-discord-channel/

Arizona Systems Management User Group March 2025

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be speaking at the Arizona Systems Management User Group (AZSMUG) at their next user group meeting on Friday, March 7, at 9:00 AM MST. I am presenting on the topic of Certificate Deployment Strategies with Microsoft Intune.

Intune and Certificates

My session at AZSMUG will provide an overview of issuing and managing certificates with Microsoft Intune. We’ll begin by examining common scenarios for certificate authentication and explore various delivery methods, including PKCS and SCEP. Additionally, we’ll discuss supporting technologies such as the Network Device Enrollment Service (NDES) and review deployment strategies and high availability options for the Intune Certificate Connector. The session will also cover Cloud PKI for Intune, integration with on-premises Active Directory, and best practices for securing certificate lifecycles and key management in enterprise environments.

Register Now

If you are in the Phoenix area and would like to attend the user group meeting on Friday, March 7, you will find the registration link here. Hope to see you there!

Additional Information

Arizona Systems Management User Group

Intune and Certificates Masterclass

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by Richard M. Hicks on February 14, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Authentication and MFA, Certificate-Based Authentication, Cloud PKI, Entra ID, Intune Certificate Connector, Microsoft Intune, NDES and SCEP, NPS and EAP, PKI, Training and Events, Windows Server
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on February 14, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/02/14/arizona-systems-management-user-group-march-2025/

Always On VPN Ask Me Anything (AMA) January 2025

It’s that time again! I realize it’s been a while since we’ve had one of these events. However, it’s a new year and we’re planning to get together again on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM PST (UTC-7).

Do you have questions about Always On VPN? Are you having a specific issue you can’t figure out? Would you like more information about configuration options? Here’s your chance to get your questions answered! Register now and join the session for an opportunity to ask me anything (AMA!) about Microsoft Windows Always On VPN and related technologies.

The AMA will be an open forum session where we can all talk shop about Always On VPN. It’s a great chance to learn new things and share experiences with your peers. We’ll discuss known issues and limitations, best practices, and more. I’m planning to have some special guests as well, so be sure to join us!

Everyone is welcome. Don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity to connect and learn. Register now!

Can’t make the session? Register anyway, and I’ll send you the link to the recording as soon as it is available!

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by Richard M. Hicks on January 9, 2025  •  Permalink
Posted in Always On VPN, Always On VPN DPC, Training and Events
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Posted by Richard M. Hicks on January 9, 2025

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2025/01/09/always-on-vpn-ask-me-anything-ama-january-2025/

Free Entra Certificate-Based Authentication Training Course

I’m pleased to announce I’ll present a FREE online training course on Microsoft Entra Certificate-Based Authentication (CBA). The course will be delivered through the ViaMonstra Online Academy on Wednesday, November 6, beginning at 10:00 AM CST. Once again, this training course is entirely FREE, so don’t hesitate to register now! If you can’t attend the live session, you can always view the presentation recording later.

Course Highlights

Join me for this 90-minute live, online training session where you will learn:

  • How certificate-based authentication offers more robust protection than passwords alone and mitigates phishing and MFA bypass risks
  • How Entra CBA enables a seamless, passwordless user experience while maintaining high security and assurance
  • How Entra CBA eliminates the need for physical authentication devices such as FIDO keys or security tokens, reducing costs and complexity
  • How to configure and manage affinity binding and authentication strength policies for Entra CBA

When you attend the live event, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions directly during the presentation, so be sure to register today and join us for this free training session!

Additional Information

Microsoft Entra Certificate-Based Authentication (CBA)

Mini-Course – Microsoft Entra Certificate-Based Authentication

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by Richard M. Hicks on October 14, 2024  •  Permalink
Posted in Authentication and MFA, Certificate-Based Authentication, Cloud PKI, Conditional Access, Cryptography, Entra ID, Microsoft Intune, NDES and SCEP, PKI, Training and Events
Tagged , , , , , , ,

Posted by Richard M. Hicks on October 14, 2024

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2024/10/14/free-entra-certificate-based-authentication-training-course/

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