What jobs can I get with IT support specialist skills?

Qualify for in-demand job titles: <text variant="body1">· Entry-level IT Support Specialist or IT Support Professional <text variant="body1">· Help Desk Technician <text variant="body1">· Technical support specialist <text variant="body1">· Network Support Specialist <text variant="body1">· Systems Administrator

Will I be able to complete this course online?

This course is completely online. You can access your lessons, readings, and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

How long does it take to complete the professional certificate?

It typically takes 3 months to complete the 6 courses. But some learners may go through the content faster.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Introduction to Secure Networking

Introduction to Secure Networking

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: Microsoft

25,307 already enrolled

Included with

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

333 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

333 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Explain networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, OSI models, and IP addressing
Describe network infrastructure, devices, and communication models
Understand network security concepts including firewalls and authentication
Identify cloud networking concepts including Azure services and virtualization

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

23 assignments

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is available as part of

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from Microsoft

There are 5 modules in this course

This course has been designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in IT support. Whether you're a recent graduate, a career changer, or someone looking to kickstart your career in the tech industry, it will provide you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in the field of IT support.

In this course, you’ll cover the basics of computer networking, including the TCP/IP and OSI models. You'll learn how different network layers and devices work together. You'll also explore common network infrastructure and monitoring techniques as well as the physical and data link layers in more detail. By the end of the course, you'll have an overview of important components for an IT Support Specialist focused on maintaining the security of corporate networks. After completing this course, you’ll be able to: • Identify the main concepts of networking. • Explain common network infrastructure and monitoring techniques. • Describe network security components, approaches, and mitigation strategies. This is also a great way to prepare for the Microsoft MS-900 exam. By passing the MS-900 exam, you’ll earn the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification.

This module deals with the fundamental structure and type of a network, and explores the core element of IP addresses.you will learn how a physical network is put together as well as its underlying logic. You will also discover the reason behind the need for IP addresses and how they form the basis for network communication.

What's included

6 videos10 readings3 assignments

6 videosTotal 34 minutes

Course introduction: Introduction to Secure Networking5 minutes
Types of networks5 minutes
Topologies6 minutes
What is IP, and what’s an IP address?7 minutes
Using IP addresses on a network6 minutes
Module summary: Computer networking6 minutes

10 readingsTotal 90 minutes

Course syllabus: Introduction to Secure Networking10 minutes
Area networks10 minutes
Physical and logical topology10 minutes
Data transmission10 minutes
Exemplar: Network construction10 minutes
Additional resources: Understanding types and topologies5 minutes
What’s the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?10 minutes
Exemplar: Find your IP10 minutes
How does a device get its IP address?10 minutes
Additional resources: IP addressing5 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 55 minutes

Module quiz: Computer Networking30 minutes
Knowledge check: Understanding types and topologies15 minutes
Knowledge check: IP addressing10 minutes

In this module, you'll explore the devices present on networks and understand the underlying architecture facilitating their communication. The content will cover different protocols and the corresponding ports they connect to.

What's included

9 videos19 readings7 assignments

9 videosTotal 50 minutes

Hybrid networking7 minutes
Introduction to cloud computing5 minutes
What is the OSI model?6 minutes
TCP/IP7 minutes
What is a port?5 minutes
Ports and protocols 5 minutes
DNS and networking4 minutes
Health and metric analysis4 minutes
Module summary: Network devices and protocols6 minutes

19 readingsTotal 215 minutes

The internet10 minutes
Infrastructure10 minutes
Virtual Private Network Technology10 minutes
Internet of Things10 minutes
Additional resources: Infrastructure5 minutes
Layered architecture10 minutes
TCP/IP versus OSI10 minutes
Exercise: Expanding the network layout30 minutes
Exemplar: Expanding the network layout10 minutes
Additional resources: Network communication models5 minutes
Protocols10 minutes
Reserved and commonly allocated ports10 minutes
Exercise: Ports in use30 minutes
Exemplar: Ports in use10 minutes
Additional resources: Protocols and ports5 minutes
DNS attacks15 minutes
Introduction to network traffic monitoring10 minutes
Network logs10 minutes
Additional resources: Network traffic monitoring5 minutes

7 assignmentsTotal 110 minutes

Module quiz: Network devices and protocols30 minutes
Knowledge check: Infrastructure15 minutes
Self-review: Expanding the network layout10 minutes
Knowledge check: Network communication models15 minutes
Self-review: Ports in use10 minutes
Knowledge check: Protocols and ports15 minutes
Knowledge check: Network traffic monitoring15 minutes

In this module you'll expand upon your knowledge of networks by going into greater depth on the operations of the network. The role of the server as the central point of the network will be discussed. Additionally, you will explore the area of security as well as the role of the firewall in protecting the user.

What's included

10 videos14 readings4 assignments

10 videosTotal 56 minutes

Client-server network5 minutes
Remote access6 minutes
Introduction to authentication7 minutes
Types of authorization7 minutes
Authentication versus authorization3 minutes
Common network attacks6 minutes
Network security5 minutes
Firewalls6 minutes
Security tools5 minutes
Module summary: Network security7 minutes

14 readingsTotal 125 minutes

Client-server models10 minutes
Different types of servers10 minutes
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)10 minutes
Additional resources: Network client and server5 minutes
Authorization10 minutes
Internet, extranet and intranet10 minutes
Authorization protocols on VPNs10 minutes
Additional resources: Authentication and authorization5 minutes
Network attacks10 minutes
Network security best practices10 minutes
Firewall types10 minutes
Firewall rules10 minutes
Firewall threats and network analysis10 minutes
Additional resources: Firewalls and security tools5 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 75 minutes

Module quiz: Network security30 minutes
Knowledge check: Network client and server15 minutes
Knowledge check: Authentication and authorization15 minutes
Knowledge check: Firewall and security tools15 minutes

In this module, you delve into cloud computing and networking. You will evaluate Azure and its diverse services in relation to cloud computing and networking, providing you with a solid understanding of its capabilities. Additionally, you will explore the concept of virtualization as well as the various types of artificial intelligence (AI) and the resources that underpin their functionality. Lastly, you will review a few enterprise-level as a service models and their common applications and advantages.

What's included

11 videos21 readings7 assignments1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 52 minutes

What is Azure?6 minutes
Business enterprise use case3 minutes
What is virtualization?5 minutes
Azure Virtual Desktop5 minutes
Virtual world3 minutes
Cloud capabilities6 minutes
Machine learning services4 minutes
AI business uses4 minutes
Business benefits of XaaS5 minutes
What is Software as a Service?5 minutes
Module Summary: Cloud computing and networking6 minutes

21 readingsTotal 230 minutes

What is cloud computing?10 minutes
What services are available with Azure10 minutes
Azure technologies10 minutes
Exercise: Cloud transformation30 minutes
Exemplar: Cloud transformation10 minutes
Additional resources: Introduction to Azure5 minutes
What are virtual environments or machines10 minutes
Virtual machines and containers10 minutes
Get started with Figma10 minutes
Exercise: Virtual network simulation30 minutes
Exemplar: Virtual network simulation 10 minutes
Additional resources: Virtual environments5 minutes
Cloud capabilities in action10 minutes
Types of AI10 minutes
Cloud and AI10 minutes
Additional resources: Cloud services5 minutes
A general overview of XaaS10 minutes
SaaS in action10 minutes
SaaS and XaaS as a comparison 10 minutes
IaaS and PaaS as a comparison10 minutes
Additional resources: X as a Service5 minutes

7 assignmentsTotal 110 minutes

Module quiz: Cloud computing and networking30 minutes
Self-review: Cloud transformation10 minutes
Knowledge check: Introduction to Azure15 minutes
Self-review: Virtual network simulation10 minutes
Knowledge check: Virtual environments15 minutes
Knowledge check: Cloud services15 minutes
Knowledge check: X as a service15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

What types of AI have you interacted with?10 minutes

In this module, you’ll put your skills into practice. You’ll reflect on the key learning points that you studied during the course and complete the final assessment and hands-on activity.

What's included

2 videos4 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

2 videosTotal 11 minutes

Course recap: Introduction to Secure Networking7 minutes
Congratulations4 minutes

4 readingsTotal 60 minutes

About the final course project and assessment10 minutes
Exercise: Digital transformation30 minutes
Exemplar: Digital transformation10 minutes
Next steps10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Self-review: Digital transformation30 minutes
Course quiz: Introduction to Secure Networking90 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 5 minutes

Reflect on learning5 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(65 ratings)

Microsoft

326 Courses2,561,859 learners

Offered by

Microsoft

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Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025

A great course to learn from; I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Reviewed on May 14, 2025

The topics related to cloud and artificial intelligence were interesting and mostly theoretical.

Reviewed on Nov 26, 2024

Checked in at the door or From VIP Limoses. All Transit Drivers installed backed up.

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Frequently asked questions

This program is for you:

· If you are interested in the field of Information Technology or just beginning to work in IT support-related roles.

· If you want to switch or start a career in the field of Information Technology (IT).

· If you already work in IT support, earning a Microsoft IT Support Specialist certificate can help advance your career or help you address gaps in your knowledge, skills, and abilities.

You don’t need any background knowledge to take this Professional Certificate. Whether you’re just starting out or a professional in a relevant field, this program can be the right fit for you.

The role of an IT support specialist includes technical skills such as conducting regular network assessments and assessing, testing, and upgrading an organization's network systems.

This role also includes problem-solving skills needed to identify and resolve hardware and software issues. guiding users through troubleshooting steps and providing training on the usage of new software and hardware, such as upgraded email systems and external hard drives.

An IT support specialist collaborates with clients and colleagues; therefore, effective communication is crucial for IT support specialists.

Yes. We highly recommend taking the courses of each certificate program in the order they are presented. The content in the courses builds on information from earlier courses. The final course contains a capstone project that assesses your knowledge of the content covered in the previous courses. As such, it makes the most sense to take the courses in the order they are presented.

When you complete the Microsoft IT Support Specialist Professional Certificate, you stand out with a unique set of skills and knowledge in the dynamic field of information technology (IT).

This certificate demonstrates your job readiness and can be shared with your professional network.

Throughout this program, you've engaged with instructional videos, assessments, and practical exercises, gaining a deep understanding of key aspects including:

· Proficiency in system analysis and maintenance.

· Skills in software configuration and recommendation using the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

· Practice in establishing robust security protocols.

· Expertise in diagnostics and troubleshooting.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.