JAMF Smart Groups enable security practitioners to apply security configurations, deploy apps, and monitor compliance across a large number of devices. However, the task of engaging employees to take remediation actions remains a big hurdle. Amplifier integrates with JAMF to automate and humanize the enforcement of JAMF Smart Groups. With this powerful combination, IT and security teams can now tackle the notorious last mile problem in cybersecurity, ensuring that endpoint vulnerabilities are patched and operating systems are up to date, without interrupting users’ productivity.

What is a JAMF smart group?

A JAMF Smart Group is a dynamic grouping tool within the JAMF Pro system used to manage Apple devices in an enterprise environment. With Smart Groups, security practitioners can organize devices based on specific criteria such as device type, operating system version, and installed apps.

For example, a Smart Group could be created for devices running macOS 12 or earlier to identify outdated operating systems and manage updating those devices. You could also create a Smart Group for all devices running macOS 13 or later. When a device is upgraded to macOS 13, it will automatically be added to the group.

The challenge of chasing employees

JAMF Smart Groups are an invaluable tool for managing Apple devices across an organization. By creating dynamic groups of devices based on specific criteria, IT teams can streamline the process of patching endpoint vulnerabilities, removing unapproved software, and running OS updates.

But there’s a catch: while JAMF Smart Groups can group at-risk devices, employees are still required to take certain actions—like installing updates, rebooting their computers, and removing software—in order for full remediation to occur. 

This last mile problem often leads to delays, gaps in security, or the need for security teams to chase employees, which leaves organizations vulnerable to attacks.

Amp up employee experiences for JAMF smart group actions

This is where Amplifier Security comes in. Our integration with JAMF automates and humanizes the enforcement of Smart Groups, addressing the last mile problem head-on. With Amplifier’s AI-powered automation, IT and security teams can engage users to take action and close the loop on endpoint vulnerabilities & gaps without manual effort. Amplifier will automatically reach out to users via Slack, Teams, or a browser extension to prompt them to take the necessary action to resolve the smart group exception – in a fun human friendly way!

Here’s how the integration works:

1. Create a JAMF Smart Group: Start by re-using or building a Smart Group for devices that require attention. For example, you might target all devices running macOS 13 or lower.
2. Define the policy or action: Next, specify the action required to remediate the vulnerability, such as updating to macOS 15 or applying a critical security patch.
3. Build an Amplifier automation: In Amplifier’s Engagement Studio, create an engagement that uses the Smart Group as a trigger to engage users and define the action you’d like them to take.
4. Automatically engage users: When devices meet the criteria and enter the Smart Group, Amplifier will automatically reach out to users via Slack, Teams, or email and prompt them to take the necessary action (e.g., update their OS, restart their computer, etc.).
5. Monitor and remediate: Amplifier continuously analyzes data from across your security stack and surfaces new risks that require attention, helping you close security gaps, enforce patching policies, and reach 100% tooling coverage across your organization.

Here’s a quick demo video: 

This setup guide has more deets - it only takes 30 minutes to activate this.

Perspectives from JNUC (JAMF Nation User Conference)

At this year’s JNUC ‘24 held recently in Nashville, we spoke with hundreds of IT & security professionals about how Amplifier's integration with JAMF can help solve the last mile problem. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many IT and security teams praising the ability to automate tasks with empathy and humanity:

One security practitioner described Amplifier as “an AI layer to automate all my IT and security tools in a user-centric and empathetic way.” Another categorized our solution as “an AI assistant that works with everyone in the company to resolve their security gaps.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

This feedback highlights the importance of combining automation with user engagement. With Amplifier, IT security teams can ensure devices are patched, policies are enforced, and employees are actively participating in keeping the environment secure—all without the hassle of manual follow-ups.

Easy to implement & experience quick value

If you're looking to streamline endpoint compliance across your Apple devices, Amplifier’s integration with JAMF will automate the process and keep security on track. It only takes 30 minutes to activate this for your JAMF deployment!

Ready to amp up your organization’s security? Contact us today to see a personalized demo and activate a no-cost trial.

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