Information Technology (IT) and Cloud Fundamentals

The full stack of IT support fundamentals

Before anyone specializes in networking, security, or cloud, they generally need this: a working knowledge of hardware, operating systems, and the day-to-day realities of keeping systems running. IBM's Specialization covers that ground methodically, from physical hardware troubleshooting through to operating system administration and disaster recovery.

• Computer hardware, peripheral devices, and hardware troubleshooting
• Operating system administration, including Linux and user account management
• Virtualization and virtual machines as a core IT skill
• File systems, data storage, and disaster recovery fundamentals

Set at a beginner level, it's built for people with no prior IT background, making it a common starting point for anyone targeting technical support or IT operations roles rather than software development.

With 20,600 learners enrolled, it functions as a broad foundation course — less exciting than a specialized cloud or security certificate, but genuinely necessary groundwork before either of those makes full sense.