Master the two sides of front-line IT support — diagnose and resolve connectivity issues across devices and networks, while building a strong foundation in cybersecurity to protect users and systems.
In IT, connectivity and security are two sides of the same coin — every connection is also a potential vulnerability. Security and Connectivity Support teaches you to diagnose and resolve a wide range of connectivity issues, from peripheral devices and shared network resources through to wired and wireless networks, IP addressing, DNS, DHCP, and firewalls. The course also builds a strong foundation in cybersecurity — identifying common security threats, recognising social engineering and malware, understanding network attacks, and applying company policies to protect sensitive data. After completing this course, you will be able to provide effective, secure, and responsive front-line IT support. This is the third course in the four-course IT Support Specialist Career Path, which prepares learners for the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) IT Support certification.
Curriculum Chapters
- 1. Troubleshooting Common Services and Peripheral Connectivity Issues
- Directory Services and Shared Drives
- User Connectivity Issues
- Peripheral Connectivity
- 2. Troubleshooting Common Network Connectivity Issues
- Network Types
- Wired Networks
- Wireless Networks
- IP Addressing
- Communicating Between Networks
- DNS and DHCP
- Firewalls
- Using Commands to Verify and Troubleshoot Connectivity
- 3. Troubleshooting Common Security Issues
- Current State of Cybersecurity
- Threat Actors
- Malware
- Common Network Attacks
- Help Desk Technician Security Awareness
- Security Incident Response
- Protecting Data
Skills You Will Learn
Troubleshoot directory services, shared drives, and user connectivity issues. Diagnose and resolve peripheral connectivity problems. Explain network types and troubleshoot wired and wireless network connectivity issues. Explain IP addressing concepts and diagnose IP configuration problems. Explain how devices communicate between networks and troubleshoot DNS and DHCP issues. Describe firewall operation and use CLI commands to verify and troubleshoot network connectivity. Explain the current cybersecurity threat landscape and identify common threat actors. Recognise malware types and common network attacks including social engineering tactics. Apply security awareness practices relevant to help desk technicians. Follow security incident response procedures and apply data protection policies to safeguard sensitive information.
Technologies Used
Windows directory services & shared drive management
Wired & wireless network troubleshooting tools
CLI connectivity commands (ping, ipconfig, tracert, nslookup)
DNS, DHCP & firewall configuration concepts
Course Details
Course Type: Free self-paced
Time: 10 Hours
Modules: 3
Level: Beginner
Prerequisites
This is the third course in the IT Support Specialist Career Path. Completion of the previous courses in the path is recommended.
Certification & Career
Career and Certification alignment: This course is the third of four in the IT Support Specialist Career Path, which prepares learners for the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) IT Support certification and entry-level IT support roles. Upon completion, earners receive the Security and Connectivity Support Cisco digital badge.
Achievements & Badges
Upon completion, earn a Cisco Networking Academy digital badge. Share your verified achievement on LinkedIn, your CV, or professional profile.
What Cisco verifies: Cisco verifies the earner of this badge successfully completed the Security and Connectivity Support course. The holder of this credential has foundational skills in troubleshooting peripheral, service, and network connectivity issues — including wired and wireless networks, IP addressing, DNS, DHCP, and firewalls — as well as cybersecurity awareness covering threat actors, malware, network attacks, incident response, and data protection practices.
Ready to Start This Course?
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