Cybersecurity Information Technology Specialist Skills

Strong cybersecurity goes hand-in-hand with solid IT expertise. This part of the program focuses on Information Technology Specialist skills – the hands-on IT knowledge that underpins effective security work. You’ll learn how to manage and secure the hardware, software, and networks that organizations use every day. This means gaining experience with setting up computers and servers, configuring networks, and supporting users, all through a cybersecurity lens. For example, you’ll practice updating and patching systems to fix vulnerabilities, setting up user accounts with proper permissions, and troubleshooting technical issues that could pose security risks. By understanding how the underlying technology works, you’ll be better equipped to protect it. These IT skills are a crucial foundation for every other cybersecurity specialty. In fact, a strong grasp of IT operations is so important that research shows about 60% of cybersecurity job postings require fundamental IT support skills
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. Knowledge from this track will directly support your work in the Cisco and Network Defense areas – because defending a network requires knowing how that network runs. It also reinforces your capabilities in Ethical Hacking and Forensics: you can’t effectively test or investigate a system if you don’t understand it. By mastering IT essentials like system administration, networking, and user support, you’re building a robust skill set that makes all your cybersecurity efforts more effective. This interconnected training ensures you’re not just a security specialist, but a well-rounded technology professional ready to step into cybersecurity roles with confidence.