Computer Network Support Specialists
Official O*NET title: Computer Network Support Specialists (15-1231.00)
Also called: computer network specialist, it consultant, network specialist, network support specialist, network technical analyst
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing computer network support specialists work
10 of 26 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Amber (some AI use) — 38%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Research hardware or software products to meet technical networking or security needs (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Create or revise user instructions, procedures, or manuals (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Monitor industry Web sites or publications for information about patches, releases, viruses, or potential problem identification (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Back up network data (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Create or update technical documentation for network installations or changes to existing installations (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Document network support activities (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Configure wide area network or local area network routers or related equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Install network software (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Evaluate local area network or wide area network performance data to make sure sufficient availability or speed, to identify network problems, or for disaster recovery purposes (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Perform routine maintenance or standard repairs to networking components or equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Configure and define parameters for installation or testing of local area network, wide area network, hubs, routers, switches, controllers, multiplexers, or related networking equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Test computer software or hardware, using standard diagnostic testing equipment and procedures (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Install or repair network cables (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Train users in procedures related to network applications software or related systems (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Test repaired items to make sure proper operation (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Install and configure wireless networking equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Maintain logs of network activity (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Document help desk requests and resolutions (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Run monthly network reports (main task) — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals”. Try the prompt for: “Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and computer network support specialists
Will AI replace computer network support specialists?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 10 of the 26 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Amber rating (some AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 16 of the 26 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which computer network support specialist tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals; troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups; analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
Which computer network support specialist tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: document network support activities; configure wide area network or local area network routers or related equipment; install network software. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 88% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a computer network support specialist start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Computer Network Support Specialists ranks #198 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #28 of 30 in Tech.
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