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Computer Network Support Specialists

SOC 15-1231.00Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers computer network support practice across corporate LAN/WAN, cloud-hybrid, and multi-site enterprise environments, from entry-level help-desk support through executive-level network strategy and team leadership.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Network data backup procedures — execute under direct supervision using established schedules and approved backup software on a corporate LAN environment.
  2. Security access permissions — apply preconfigured group-level settings under supervisor guidance within an enterprise directory system.
  3. Network monitoring software — operate and review alerts under direction to identify flagged anomalies on a managed corporate network.
  4. Basic diagnostic testing tools — use to identify and document common connectivity problems for individual end users in a help-desk setting.
  5. Network support activities — document using standardized templates and ticketing systems under the guidance of senior technicians.
  6. LAN router configuration — assist senior staff in applying baseline configuration settings on routers in a supervised enterprise environment.
  7. Security and firewall software — install using vendor-provided guides and internal runbooks under direct oversight on workstations and servers.
  8. User connectivity problems — troubleshoot common, recurring issues by following established troubleshooting scripts in a help-desk environment.
  9. Technical documentation and knowledge-base articles — read and apply comprehension to resolve Tier 1 incidents in a structured support workflow.
  10. Operating system software — navigate and perform routine network-related tasks within Windows and Linux environments under close supervision.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Scheduled and on-demand network data backups — plan and execute with minimal oversight, verifying data integrity across multiple servers in a mid-sized enterprise environment.
  2. User and group access permissions — configure and audit independently within Active Directory or comparable IAM platforms across departmental systems.
  3. Security breach attempts — analyze event logs using transaction security and virus protection software, and produce incident reports for review by security teams.
  4. Network connectivity issues — diagnose using protocol analyzers and diagnostic testing equipment, resolving problems with reduced escalation in a multi-segment LAN/WAN environment.
  5. Network support activities — document thoroughly in helpdesk and configuration management systems, maintaining accurate records for recurring issues and resolutions.
  6. WAN and LAN routers and switches — configure VLANs, routing protocols, and ACLs using router and switch software in a branch-office or campus network setting.
  7. Network and endpoint security software — install, update, and validate using change management procedures across production environments with limited supervision.
  8. User and user-group connectivity problems — troubleshoot systematically using network monitoring software, applying inductive reasoning to identify root causes in varied network environments.
  9. Systems performance baselines — monitor continuously using network monitoring tools and alert thresholds, escalating meaningful deviations to senior engineers.
  10. Technical findings — communicate clearly in written reports and verbal briefings to both technical peers and non-technical stakeholders in a corporate IT setting.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Enterprise network data backup architecture — design, test, and maintain recovery procedures autonomously, ensuring business continuity compliance in a complex multi-site environment.
  2. Role-based access control frameworks — configure and enforce across heterogeneous systems, conducting periodic access reviews and remediating privilege violations in an enterprise network.
  3. Confirmed and attempted network security breaches — investigate, analyze, and report comprehensively using forensic tools and SIEM platforms, producing actionable findings for leadership and compliance teams.
  4. Complex, non-routine networking problems — isolate and resolve using advanced diagnostic testing software and deep systems analysis across WAN, LAN, and cloud-hybrid topologies.
  5. Network change and support documentation — author and maintain authoritative records including network diagrams, configuration baselines, and post-incident reports in configuration management systems.
  6. Enterprise WAN and LAN infrastructure — design and implement router and switch configurations, including redundancy and failover protocols, across geographically distributed networks.
  7. Network security software deployments — lead end-to-end installations and upgrades, validating firewall rule sets and patch compliance across production and DR environments.
  8. Escalated and systemic user connectivity problems — resolve by conducting root-cause analysis and implementing permanent remediation strategies in large-scale enterprise environments.
  9. Emerging networking technologies and threat vectors — evaluate through active learning and independent research, recommending adoption or mitigation strategies to improve network resilience.
  10. Cross-functional project teams — coordinate technical network tasks using project management software, managing timelines and deliverables independently within complex IT programs.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational network backup and disaster recovery strategy — define and govern, aligning policies with business continuity objectives and regulatory requirements across the enterprise.
  2. Enterprise-wide access control and zero-trust security policies — architect and champion, directing implementation teams and ensuring compliance with governance frameworks across all business units.
  3. Security breach response and risk posture — lead post-incident reviews and present findings and strategic recommendations to executive leadership, shaping organizational security investment decisions.
  4. Network support diagnostic standards and tooling — establish and continuously improve, setting the methodology by which all tiers of support staff identify and resolve networking issues.
  5. Network documentation standards and knowledge-management culture — institute across the IT organization, ensuring technical accuracy, accessibility, and lifecycle governance for all network assets.
  6. Network infrastructure roadmap — develop and drive, directing the evolution of WAN, LAN, and cloud connectivity architecture to meet long-term organizational scalability and performance goals.
  7. Security software selection and enterprise deployment strategy — evaluate vendors, lead procurement decisions, and oversee deployment governance, balancing protection efficacy with operational continuity.
  8. Support team performance and professional development — mentor and lead network support specialists at all levels, building organizational capability through coaching, training programs, and career pathing.
  9. Cross-departmental IT systems integration — direct the evaluation and adoption of enterprise application integration and web platform solutions, ensuring network architecture supports organizational digital transformation.
  10. IT operations and network support budget — own and manage, allocating resources across staffing, tooling, and infrastructure projects while reporting outcomes and value to senior organizational leadership.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted documentation — uses AI tools to draft network support activity logs and incident summaries from technician notes, reviewing output for accuracy before submission Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Basic troubleshooting query — submits error messages and symptom descriptions to an AI assistant to surface candidate causes, then cross-checks suggestions against known network configurations Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Diagnostic report generation — directs an AI assistant to analyze raw diagnostic output from testing tools and produce structured fault reports, retaining responsibility for confirming findings against live network state Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Security breach summarization — feeds network log excerpts into an AI assistant to identify anomaly patterns and draft preliminary breach reports, then applies critical judgment to validate findings before escalation Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Configuration assistance — uses AI-generated configuration templates for access permissions and security settings as a starting point, auditing every parameter against organizational policy before deployment WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Multi-source log correlation — orchestrates an AI assistant to cross-reference firewall, switch, and authentication logs simultaneously, reducing manual triage time while personally verifying prioritized alerts Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Automated backup verification workflow — integrates AI-assisted anomaly detection into backup validation routines, directing the tool to flag checksum mismatches or schedule deviations and acting on confirmed issues Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Knowledge base authorship — instructs an AI tool to compile recurring incident resolutions into draft knowledge-base articles, then edits and approves content to ensure technical precision and organizational relevance Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Active learning from AI outputs — systematically reviews AI-generated diagnostic rationale to build personal mental models of novel network failure modes, applying those models in future manual assessments WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. End-to-end incident orchestration — coordinates AI agents across detection, log analysis, documentation, and stakeholder notification stages of a network incident, exercising judgment at each handoff point to ensure accuracy and compliance Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. AI tool evaluation and selection — benchmarks competing AI diagnostic and monitoring assistants against real network environments, assessing reliability, false-positive rates, and integration complexity to recommend adoption or rejection Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Critical thinking override protocol — establishes team-level decision rules that define when AI-generated network assessments are accepted, flagged for review, or overridden, grounding the framework in the occupation's moderate automation feasibility boundary Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  4. Workflow redesign leadership — redesigns team network support workflows around verified AI time-savings data, redistributing high-volume routine tasks to AI pipelines while reallocating specialist attention to complex judgment-intensive incidents Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 8350
Augment share: 95%
Time saved: 83.6%
AI autonomy: 3.16
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Critical Thinking
Score: 57.9 / 100
precision: category_estimate
WEF cluster
Artificial Intelligence
artificial_intelligence
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication9 statements
Emerging
  1. Trouble ticket documentation — records basic network issue descriptions and resolution steps in help desk systems using standard templates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. User-facing communication — relays straightforward connectivity troubleshooting instructions to end users in plain, non-technical language Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Incident reporting — drafts clear written summaries of network security breaches or attempted breaches for review by senior staff Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-functional explanation — translates LAN/WAN configuration changes into accessible language for non-technical stakeholders during routine updates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Technical documentation — produces comprehensive network support activity logs, configuration records, and topology diagrams that meet organizational standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stakeholder briefing — presents network security incident findings and remediation actions to management using structured verbal and written formats Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Active listening in diagnosis — elicits precise symptom descriptions from affected users through targeted questioning to accelerate root-cause identification Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Knowledge-base authorship — develops and maintains authoritative network support documentation, runbooks, and escalation guides adopted across the IT department Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Executive communication — delivers concise network risk assessments and infrastructure recommendations to senior leadership, adjusting technical depth to audience expertise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership8 statements
Emerging
  1. Peer assistance — volunteers to assist colleagues with routine router or switch configuration tasks, demonstrating early ownership beyond assigned duties Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Incident ownership — takes personal responsibility for tracking a reported connectivity issue through to resolution without requiring follow-up prompts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Junior staff guidance — walks entry-level technicians through diagnostic testing procedures and network troubleshooting workflows during live incidents Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Process improvement initiative — identifies recurring network failure patterns and proposes updated support procedures to team leads Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Incident command — leads the technical response to network outages, coordinating task assignments among support staff and communicating status to stakeholders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentorship delivery — conducts structured knowledge-transfer sessions for developing technicians on firewall configuration, access permissions, and security best practices Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Team capability development — designs and leads training programs that elevate the diagnostic and configuration competencies of the entire network support team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Strategic infrastructure leadership — champions network reliability and security initiatives, influencing technology investment decisions and organizational IT policy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition8 statements
Emerging
  1. Diagnostic self-monitoring — recognizes when a chosen troubleshooting path is not yielding results and pauses to reassess before continuing Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Skill gap awareness — identifies specific areas of network knowledge (e.g., WAN protocols, firewall rules) where additional learning is needed Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Troubleshooting strategy review — reflects on completed incident resolutions to evaluate which diagnostic approaches were most and least effective Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning plan construction — builds a personal development roadmap targeting identified gaps in areas such as network security, routing protocols, or monitoring tools Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Cognitive load management — structures complex multi-system outage investigations by segmenting the problem space, preventing premature closure on incorrect diagnoses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Post-incident reflection — conducts structured personal after-action reviews following major network events to refine future diagnostic and escalation strategies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Team metacognitive modeling — coaches colleagues to articulate their own diagnostic reasoning processes, improving collective troubleshooting quality across the support team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive expertise calibration — continuously re-evaluates personal knowledge boundaries as network technologies evolve, proactively redirecting learning efforts to emerging domains Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking9 statements
Emerging
  1. Symptom-cause linkage — connects reported user connectivity symptoms to a prioritized list of probable network causes using documented diagnostic criteria Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Assumption identification — recognizes when a user's description of a network problem contains assumptions that must be verified before beginning remediation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Evidence-based diagnosis — applies diagnostic testing software and hardware tools to gather objective network performance data before selecting a remediation path Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Security event analysis — evaluates log data and access records to distinguish genuine network security breaches from false-positive alerts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Root-cause isolation — systematically eliminates variables across physical, data link, network, and application layers to identify the precise source of connectivity failures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Risk-weighted decision making — weighs the operational impact of proposed configuration changes against security and performance risks before implementation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Breach impact assessment — analyzes scope, vector, and affected assets of a network security incident to form a reasoned, evidence-supported incident report Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Architectural critique — evaluates existing LAN/WAN topology designs for logical flaws, single points of failure, and security vulnerabilities, producing justified redesign recommendations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Predictive threat reasoning — synthesizes network monitoring trends, vulnerability disclosures, and historical incident data to anticipate and pre-empt future security threats Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration8 statements
Emerging
  1. Help desk coordination — shares relevant ticket history and diagnostic findings with peers to prevent duplicated troubleshooting effort on the same user issue Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-team responsiveness — responds promptly to requests from systems administrators or security teams that depend on network support actions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Vendor collaboration — works with ISP or hardware vendor representatives to diagnose WAN circuit faults, providing clear technical context to accelerate resolution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Shared incident resolution — collaborates with server and security teams during multi-domain outages, contributing network-layer findings to a unified diagnosis Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Change management participation — contributes network impact assessments and rollback plans to cross-functional change advisory board discussions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Security response teaming — coordinates with security analysts and system owners during breach investigations to isolate compromised network segments and restore access Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Enterprise project integration — leads network support workstreams within large-scale IT infrastructure projects, aligning deliverables across engineering, operations, and security teams Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Community of practice facilitation — organizes and leads cross-organizational knowledge-sharing sessions on network diagnostics, security hardening, and emerging connectivity technologies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character8 statements
Emerging
  1. Data handling integrity — protects user credentials and access permission information encountered during configuration tasks, following least-privilege principles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Accountability in documentation — accurately records all network changes made during troubleshooting, including unsuccessful attempts, without omission Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical access management — configures security settings and access permissions strictly according to authorized policy, declining requests that fall outside sanctioned boundaries Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Transparent escalation — acknowledges the limits of personal expertise and escalates complex security incidents without delay to protect organizational assets Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Professional reliability — maintains consistent follow-through on committed resolution timelines for user-reported network issues, proactively communicating delays Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Breach disclosure responsibility — reports discovered or suspected network security breaches through proper channels immediately upon detection, without minimizing findings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethical standards advocacy — champions responsible network access and data protection practices within the IT team, challenging configurations or policies that create unacceptable risk Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional trust modeling — demonstrates sustained integrity in handling sensitive network security information, serving as a behavioral benchmark for junior technicians Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity8 statements
Emerging
  1. Workaround generation — proposes temporary alternative routing or access solutions to restore user connectivity while a permanent fix is developed Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Tool repurposing — applies existing diagnostic software in non-standard ways to gather network data unavailable through default testing procedures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Novel diagnostic sequencing — develops customized troubleshooting workflows for atypical network failure signatures not covered by existing runbooks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Configuration experimentation — tests unconventional router or switch parameter combinations in a lab environment to solve performance issues that standard configurations cannot address Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Security control innovation — designs layered access permission schemes that meet business requirements while exceeding baseline security standards through creative policy construction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Monitoring strategy design — creates custom alerting rules and dashboard configurations that surface network anomalies not detected by vendor-default monitoring setups Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Infrastructure solution invention — architects original network support automation solutions (e.g., scripts, orchestration workflows) that eliminate entire categories of manual diagnostic tasks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-domain ideation — synthesizes concepts from telecommunications, cybersecurity, and systems engineering to propose network designs that solve persistent reliability or security challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset8 statements
Emerging
  1. Feedback receptivity — accepts correction on misconfigured network devices or flawed diagnostic approaches without defensiveness, immediately applying the guidance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. New technology curiosity — engages with documentation and tutorials on unfamiliar networking protocols or security tools encountered on the job Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Certification pursuit — actively works toward relevant network support credentials (e.g., CompTIA Network+, CCNA) to formalize and deepen technical knowledge Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Setback reframing — treats failed troubleshooting attempts as diagnostic data, extracting lessons about network behavior rather than viewing the failure as a personal shortcoming Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Emerging technology adoption — proactively learns and integrates new WAN technologies, cloud networking paradigms, or security frameworks as they become relevant to the organization Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer feedback utilization — solicits structured critique from senior engineers after complex incidents and incorporates that feedback into revised diagnostic approaches Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Learning culture cultivation — instills a growth-oriented approach to network problem-solving within the team, normalizing experimentation, post-mortem analysis, and continuous skill development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Field evolution leadership — tracks emerging networking and cybersecurity trends, translating them into actionable skill-building initiatives that keep the support team ahead of technological change Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness8 statements
Emerging
  1. Attention anchoring — maintains focused concentration on a single network problem rather than task-switching prematurely when multiple support tickets arrive simultaneously Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. User frustration awareness — recognizes signs of user distress during extended outages and responds with calm, measured communication rather than reactive or dismissive replies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Pressure regulation — sustains methodical diagnostic procedure during high-pressure network outage events rather than rushing to implement untested fixes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Situational awareness maintenance — monitors network performance dashboards with sustained attentiveness, noticing subtle anomaly patterns before they escalate to critical failures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Intentional escalation judgment — pauses before escalating or closing a network incident to deliberately verify that all diagnostic steps have been completed and documented Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional regulation in conflict — maintains professional composure when users express frustration over extended connectivity issues, de-escalating tension while continuing technical resolution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Team presence modeling — demonstrates and coaches deliberate, non-reactive incident response behaviors that become the standard for how the support team handles high-severity network events Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Sustained vigilance architecture — designs shift handoff and monitoring rotation practices that prevent attention fatigue from degrading network security awareness across the support team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude8 statements
Emerging
  1. Diagnostic persistence — continues systematic troubleshooting of an unresolved network fault through multiple failed hypotheses without abandoning the investigation prematurely Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Ambiguity tolerance — proceeds with structured data-gathering during network incidents where the cause is initially unclear rather than waiting for certainty before acting Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Extended incident endurance — maintains effective technical performance and decision quality during prolonged network outages that extend beyond normal working hours Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Criticism resilience — receives critical post-incident review feedback about a misconfiguration or delayed response without withdrawing from future high-stakes support responsibilities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. High-stakes composure — executes precise firewall rule changes and access permission updates in production environments under organizational pressure without introducing errors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Breach response endurance — sustains focused, accurate technical work throughout multi-hour network security incident response operations requiring continuous analysis and remediation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational resilience leadership — guides the network support team through sustained periods of elevated threat, infrastructure instability, or major organizational change with consistent morale and technical effectiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Courageous risk reporting — surfaces critical network vulnerabilities or systemic infrastructure weaknesses to leadership even when the findings are organizationally uncomfortable or politically sensitive Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Show O*NET source anchors54 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Cloud Engineer · Cloud Support Specialist · Computer Network Analyst · Computer Network Specialist · Computer Network Support Specialist · Computer Networker · Computer Operations Technician · Computer Systems Specialist · Configuration Technician · Controls Programmer · Customer Engineer · Customer Service Engineer
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionActive LearningMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingTroubleshootingSystems AnalysisTime ManagementSystems EvaluationWritingOperations Monitoring
Knowledge domains
Computers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsCustomer and Personal ServiceEngineering and TechnologyEnglish LanguageAdministration and Management
Abilities
Oral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningOral ExpressionInductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionInformation OrderingNear VisionSpeech RecognitionSpeech Clarity
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityIntegrityCautiousnessIntellectual CuriosityAdaptability
Technology
Document management softwareTransaction security and virus protection softwareWeb platform development softwareOperating system softwareConfiguration management softwareNetwork monitoring softwareProject management softwareEnterprise application integration softwareHelpdesk or call center softwareSwitch or router software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Back up network data.
  2. Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
  3. Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
  4. Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.
  5. Document network support activities.
  6. Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment.
  7. Install network software, including security or firewall software.
  8. Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.
CIP education codes
11.020111.050111.070111.090111.090211.100111.100211.100311.1006

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.