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.

Essential Aspects of Software, Hardware, and Data Backup

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Essential Aspects of Software, Hardware, and Data Backup

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: Microsoft

13,350 already enrolled

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

157 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

92%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

157 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

92%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Gain insight into key aspects of IT security and data management.
Develop an understanding of secure software setup and implementation.
Learn effective strategies for hardware configurations and data backup and recovery.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

22 assignments

Taught in English

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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 4 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 explore key aspects of IT security and data management. You'll cover secure software setup, advanced hardware configurations, and effective strategies for data backup and recovery. This course equips you with essential skills to safeguard digital environments and manage data backups effectively, addressing vital needs in today's tech-driven landscape. After completing this course, you’ll be able to: • Implement secure software configurations • Implement secure hardware configurations • Develop robust data backup and recovery 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.

In this module, you will learn about secure software configuration, access control and privilege management, and best practices in software installation. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of key cybersecurity fundamentals.

What's included

13 videos10 readings7 assignments1 discussion prompt

13 videos Total 73 minutes

Course introduction: Software, hardware, and data backup 3 minutes
Software security essentials 7 minutes
End-user license agreement (EULA) 6 minutes
Software firewall 5 minutes
Troubleshooting user authentication 6 minutes
Single sign-on (SSO) 6 minutes
Access control and privilege management 5 minutes
Navigating application permissions in mobile devices 7 minutes
Fundamentals of secure software installation 6 minutes
Understanding software updates and their importance 6 minutes
Security risks in third-party software integration 5 minutes
Supply chain attacks: Risks in software installation 6 minutes
Module summary: Secure software configurations 5 minutes

10 readings Total 95 minutes

Course syllabus: Software, hardware, and data backup 10 minutes
How to be successful in this course 10 minutes
Navigating malware: Viruses, Trojans, and worms 10 minutes
How antivirus and antimalware software works 10 minutes
Authentication mechanisms cheat sheet 10 minutes
Practice stop: Checking users 10 minutes
Access control and privilege management in real life scenarios 10 minutes
Common mistakes in software installation and updates 10 minutes
Protecting your computer from malware during software installation 10 minutes
Additional resources: Secure software configurations 5 minutes

7 assignments Total 105 minutes

Activity: Enabling and configuring your OS firewall 10 minutes
Knowledge check: Secure software configurations 15 minutes
Activity: Create a user account 10 minutes
Knowledge check: Access controls and privilege management 15 minutes
Activity: Guided safe software installation 10 minutes
Knowledge check: Software installation best practices 15 minutes
Module quiz: Secure software configurations 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

What do you hope to learn? 10 minutes

In this module, you'll learn about the essential elements of hardware security within IT environments. You will explore the critical functions of BIOS, hardware firewalls, and encryption technologies. You will also discover the vital aspects of physical security and how to safeguard IT devices from unauthorized access.

What's included

9 videos8 readings5 assignments

9 videos Total 57 minutes

Introduction to BIOS 6 minutes
The evolution of BIOS 6 minutes
Configuring UEFI for security 6 minutes
Introduction to hardware firewalls 7 minutes
OEM and its role in enhanced hardware security 7 minutes
Storage encryption 7 minutes
Essentials of physical security for devices 6 minutes
RFID Technology for enhanced physical security 6 minutes
Module summary: Secure hardware configuration 6 minutes

8 readings Total 75 minutes

UEFI updates 10 minutes
UEFI malware, vulnerabilities, and threats 10 minutes
Exploring TPM in Windows security: A detailed overview 10 minutes
USB device threats and protective measures 10 minutes
Practice stop: Brute force algorithm 10 minutes
Physical access and BYOD policies in organizations 10 minutes
Best practices for ensuring physical device security 10 minutes
Additional resources: Secure hardware configuration 5 minutes

5 assignments Total 85 minutes

Knowledge check: Introduction to BIOS 15 minutes
Knowledge check: Hardware security 15 minutes
Activity: Securing your computer against unattended access 10 minutes
Knowledge check: Physical access to devices 15 minutes
Module quiz: Secure hardware configuration 30 minutes

In this module you will explore the essential aspects of data management, focusing on the practices of data backup, compression, and storage types.

What's included

13 videos8 readings7 assignments

13 videos Total 79 minutes

Introduction to data storage 7 minutes
Network Attached Storage (NAS) 6 minutes
Disk partition and file system 5 minutes
Data compression 7 minutes
Introduction to data processing 6 minutes
Image and video processing 7 minutes
Audio processing 6 minutes
Portable Document Format (PDF) 5 minutes
Introduction to data backup 5 minutes
Understanding RAID 5 minutes
Cloud and local data backup 6 minutes
System recovery essentials 5 minutes
Module summary: Robust data backup and recovery 8 minutes

8 readings Total 75 minutes

Storage media explained: Types, interfaces, and applications 10 minutes
Practice stop: Compress files 10 minutes
Troubleshooting storage and data compression issues 10 minutes
Video codecs 10 minutes
Troubleshooting file and media-related issues 10 minutes
Different data backup methods and strategies 10 minutes
Effective data recovery strategies 10 minutes
Additional resources: Robust data backup and recovery 5 minutes

7 assignments Total 105 minutes

Activity: Partition a USB pendrive 10 minutes
Knowledge check: Data storage and compression 15 minutes
Activity: Convert a video format 10 minutes
Knowledge check: Data processing 15 minutes
Activity: Setting up and using OneDrive for data backup 10 minutes
Knowledge check: Data backup strategies 15 minutes
Module quiz: Robust data backup and recovery 30 minutes

Get ready to synthesize the knowledge and skills you acquired throughout the course by completing the final course project! In this final module, you will get the opportunity to develop a comprehensive data strategy for a specified scenario.

What's included

2 videos2 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

2 videos Total 10 minutes

Course recap: Software, Hardware, and Data Backup 7 minutes
Congratulations 3 minutes

2 readings Total 20 minutes

About the final project and assessment 10 minutes
Next steps 10 minutes

3 assignments Total 180 minutes

Activity: Developing a data strategy 60 minutes
Self-review: Developing a data strategy 30 minutes
Course quiz: Software, Hardware, and Data Backup 90 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Reflect on learning 10 minutes

1 plugin Total 10 minutes

Exemplar: Developing a data strategy 10 minutes

Earn a career certificate

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(29 ratings)

Microsoft

287 Courses 2,395,661 learners

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Microsoft

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Reviewed on Nov 23, 2024

Really just reinforcing all that I have privately learned and worked with in the past very eventful very exciting.

Reviewed on Jan 18, 2025

Comprehensive and well structured course. Huge thanks to the Microsoft Team❤️

Reviewed on Jun 20, 2024

Amazing company educational material and trainers were amazing I learned so much

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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.