How can you develop your problem-solving and critical thinking skills for computer repair and cybersecurity?

Don’t always assume that you have seen the problem before. Many problems are easy to spot once you’ve seen them before, but sometimes new ones crop up that resemble old ones.

To identify a problem we must make sure to start from a symptom and not from the solution or a "we have to do this." It seems silly, but many times we immediately think "X or Y must be changed" skipping many steps.

One valuable method of diagnostics and testing is the rule of halves. In this method, you eliminate half of the possibilities at a time, when possible, after a more general possibility has been identified. For example, if you suspect an issue in Windows is being caused by startup items, you start by disabling half of them. If doing so doesn't resolve the issue entirely, you re-enable them and disable the other half. Whichever half resolves the issue, you then re-enable items one at a time until the root source is identified. After identifying the source, verify it, then create and verify the solution.

Step is missing - make sure that no one else is working on the same problem before you start as you might interfere with work of each other.

One aspect of identifying the problem that I did not see mentioned yet is to be a good listener. Let the end caller finish what they are stating and be patient with them. In addition, it is also important to define their terms or words such as when they say the scanner is not working...I would then reply something like...Okay, what type of scanner are you speaking of? Is it a barcode scanner, a document scanner, or something else? Then I would go from there as to ask them to tell me what they mean by "not working"? Is there no power to the device? Is it on but does not respond to your commands? ETC.

A proper rooted diagnosis is important in the initial stages repairing any computer related repairs. Engaging with the user on what happened before the problem occurred helps with which components to focus on. MORE of the same with cyber security, a proper firewal is also important to prevent future reoccurrances.

To develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills for computer repair and cybersecurity in IT services, individuals can pursue formal education, seek hands-on experience, utilize online resources, engage in problem-solving exercises, stay informed about industry trends, seek mentorship, and prioritize continuous learning.

Após a identifica??o do problema, torna-se essencial conduzir testes para avaliar a situa??o. A aplica??o de fluxogramas, que visualmente representam os processos relacionados ao problema, destaca pontos críticos e potenciais falhas. Esses elementos devem ser cuidadosamente considerados durante a análise, ampliando a compreens?o da complexidade do cenário em quest?o.

The next step is to analyze the problem and its root causes. You need to use your logic and reasoning skills to examine the data, identify patterns, and find connections. You should also use your creativity and imagination to generate alternative hypotheses and scenarios. You can use various techniques to analyze the problem, such as brainstorming, mind mapping, flowcharts, diagrams, and SWOT analysis.

When you speak to the user, remember they are not schooled in IT speak. Break it down for them, try to find an example they can understand and don't look at them like they are crazy. This issue affects them, whether you can replicate it or not? In their mind it happened. Your job is to restore their productivity.

Ao ponderar sobre as op??es disponíveis, é crucial atentar para a complexidade do problema, os riscos inerentes, bem como os custos envolvidos e, possivelmente, os benefícios resultantes da manuten??o. Em certas situa??es, a complexidade do problema pode tornar a manuten??o impraticável, especialmente quando consideramos os custos associados. Portanto, é vital avaliar cuidadosamente se os benefícios justificam a execu??o da manuten??o. Quando a manuten??o se mostra uma escolha relevante, é aconselhável realizar uma análise de mercado para identificar as op??es mais vantajosas em termos de custo e eficácia na execu??o dos reparos.

The third step is to evaluate the possible solutions and their pros and cons. You need to use your judgment and criteria to compare and contrast the options and their outcomes. You should also consider the risks, costs, benefits, and feasibility of each option. You can use various tools to evaluate the options, such as decision matrices, cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment, and testing

Very similarly to identifying the problem, an analysis of it is also important. This is where you formulate the solution based on your original findings. Sometimes it's as simple as replacing one faulty component, but oftentimes it requires a bit more, combination of steps, possible trial and error, prolonged testing, etc. Experience helps here in terms of time efficiency.

Evaluating options should be, ideally, a task shared with someone else, maybe even your entire workgroup. Options and risk assessment are better analized when more than one mind are involved.

Effective problem-solving involves judiciously weighing options. Considering risks, costs, benefits, and feasibility is crucial. Tools like decision matrices and cost-benefit analyses provide a structured approach, ensuring informed decisions for optimal outcomes. ////// Resolver problemas de manera efectiva implica ponderar cuidadosamente las opciones. Considerar riesgos, costos, beneficios y viabilidad es crucial. Herramientas como matrices de decisión y análisis costo-beneficio proporcionan un enfoque estructurado, asegurando decisiones informadas para resultados óptimos.

The fourth step is to implement the best solution and monitor its results. You need to use your technical skills and knowledge to execute the solution and follow the proper procedures and protocols. You should also use your communication and collaboration skills to coordinate with others and document your actions and results. You can use various methods to implement the solution, such as checklists, guides, manuals, and feedback.

Na fase de implementa??o de uma solu??o, é recomendável criar uma lista de verifica??o que simplifique a valida??o de todos os procedimentos executados. Além disso, a documenta??o detalhada do que foi realizado é fundamental, garantindo que todos os envolvidos nos processos de manuten??o tenham ciência das etapas executadas. Essa prática n?o apenas contribui para a identifica??o de recorrências, mas também facilita a análise de problemas que possam surgir devido a uma utiliza??o inadequada dos equipamentos. A inclus?o de comentários, especialmente em sistemas como um ERP, é crucial para documentar explica??es detalhadas sobre os procedimentos realizados. Esses comentários servem como uma valiosa fonte de informa??o.

Once the problem has been identified, and the solution is formulated, it's time to get our hands dirty. Nowadays you can find how-to articles and video tutorials everywhere, but they will only get you so far. Actually fixing something is not always easy, but if you're willing to take the time, experience is a great teacher. Be patient, you have to be willing to make mistakes here, so gamble with things you can't afford to replace.

Implementing a solution, depending on what you're trying to solve, must have a careful step-by-step planning beforehand, and maybe testing it in a secure (risk-free) evironment before going to production.

Implementation demands a seamless blend of technical expertise and effective communication. Executing the solution with precision, following protocols, and documenting actions are key. Monitoring results ensures not only problem resolution but also provides insights for future troubleshooting. /////// La implementación requiere una fusión perfecta de experiencia técnica y comunicación efectiva. Ejecutar la solución con precisión, seguir protocolos y documentar acciones son fundamentales. Monitorear resultados no solo asegura la resolución del problema, sino que también brinda perspectivas para futuras soluciones.

Experience is a big part in developing any skill. Never let any experience fly without making the most of it. Document every part of it and deliberately visit and revisit it.

The fifth step is to learn from the experience and improve your skills. You need to use your reflection and evaluation skills to review the process and the outcome of the solution. You should also use your curiosity and learning skills to seek feedback, ask questions, and research new topics and trends. You can use various resources to learn from the experience, such as books, courses, podcasts, blogs, and mentors.

Knowledge from Courses can only take you so far , sometimes its good to experiment with other methods done by others to resolve the problems , it may put and end to the issues entirely.

With real experience comes real knowledge. Most of the companies already have documentation or KB for troubleshooting steps and solutions. But each and every company has different systems. No system is the same.

Problem-solving and critical thinking improve with practice and exposure to different challenges. Consider even setting up a test environment where you can experiment without the fear of damaging actual systems. Virtual machines can be useful for this purpose.

The last step is to apply your problem-solving and critical thinking skills to cybersecurity. You need to use your ethical and professional skills to protect your systems and networks from cyberattacks and comply with the laws and regulations. You should also use your strategic and analytical skills to assess the threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts of cyberattacks and devise countermeasures and recovery plans. You can use various frameworks and standards to apply your skills to cybersecurity, such as NIST, ISO, COBIT, and OWASP.

All problems have solutions. Just because you haven't found it yet doesn't mean it doesn't exist. In a previous job I had an issue with an employee printing a report that came out in what looked like Cyrillic letters. I searched for months to find it as an aside when looking up a different problem. The solution? Thin clients don't support the Calibri font for Word. That's the default font, changing it to Times New Roman fixed the issue.