Computer Network Support Specialists
Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.
AI Impact Summary
Computer Network Support Specialists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 41/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 82% of all analyzed occupations. Of 26 analyzed tasks, 9 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Computer Network Support Specialists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
26 tasks analyzed
Back up network data.
Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.
Document network support activities.
Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment.
Install network software, including security or firewall software.
Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues.
Evaluate local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) performance data to ensure sufficient availability or speed, to identify network problems, or for disaster recovery purposes.
Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.
Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function.
Perform routine maintenance or standard repairs to networking components or equipment.
Configure and define parameters for installation or testing of local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), hubs, routers, switches, controllers, multiplexers, or related networking equipment.
Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems.
Test computer software or hardware, using standard diagnostic testing equipment and procedures.
Monitor industry websites or publications for information about patches, releases, viruses, or potential problem identification.
Install or repair network cables, including fiber optic cables.
Create or update technical documentation for network installations or changes to existing installations.
Train users in procedures related to network applications software or related systems.
Test repaired items to ensure proper operation.
Install and configure wireless networking equipment.
Maintain logs of network activity.
Document help desk requests and resolutions.
Research hardware or software products to meet technical networking or security needs.
Create or revise user instructions, procedures, or manuals.
Run monthly network reports.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back up network data. | 58.6Observed | 72.6% | 3% | |
| Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals. | 38.52Observed | 64.6% | 5% | |
| Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches. | 45.53Observed | 45.2% | 4% | |
| Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 6% | |
| Document network support activities. | 41.67Observed | 65.9% | 4% | |
| Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Install network software, including security or firewall software. | 64.45Observed | 75.0% | 4% | |
| Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues. | 45.27Observed | 33.1% | 6% | |
| Evaluate local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) performance data to ensure sufficient availability or speed, to identify network problems, or for disaster recovery purposes. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 5% | |
| Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups. | 54.83Observed | 48.9% | 6% | |
| Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function. | 51.65Observed | 69.9% | 4% | |
| Perform routine maintenance or standard repairs to networking components or equipment. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Configure and define parameters for installation or testing of local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), hubs, routers, switches, controllers, multiplexers, or related networking equipment. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems. | 35Estimated | 41.0% | 5% | |
| Test computer software or hardware, using standard diagnostic testing equipment and procedures. | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 3% | |
| Monitor industry websites or publications for information about patches, releases, viruses, or potential problem identification. | 54.12Observed | 70.9% | 2% | |
| Install or repair network cables, including fiber optic cables. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Create or update technical documentation for network installations or changes to existing installations. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Train users in procedures related to network applications software or related systems. | 40Estimated | 31.0% | 3% | |
| Test repaired items to ensure proper operation. | 70Estimated | 77.2% | 2% | |
| Install and configure wireless networking equipment. | 62Estimated | 74.0% | 4% | |
| Maintain logs of network activity. | 41.12Observed | 65.7% | 3% | |
| Document help desk requests and resolutions. | 39.25Observed | 64.9% | 4% | |
| Research hardware or software products to meet technical networking or security needs. | 57.75Observed | 50.1% | 3% | |
| Create or revise user instructions, procedures, or manuals. | 54.85Observed | 71.1% | 3% | |
| Run monthly network reports. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 29.0%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Computer Network Support Specialists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Programming
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 3 scoring runs
overall change