Roles and Responsibilities of System Administrators

Who Is a System Administrator?

A system administrator is a professional who maintains computer systems, servers, and networks of their clients. They are required to understand the specific requirement of their clients and accordingly recommend or suggest computer systems designs for them. Some of their job duties and responsibilities are to install and maintain systems for organizations and maintain as well as upgrade data cloud infrastructure.

System administrators (sysadmins) are professionals who support multiuser computing environments and ensure the smooth operation of IT services.

They may also be involved in identifying network issues, fixing them, identifying cyber security threats, and devising ways to prevent intrusions. As a whole, a system administrator tests computer systems and internet servers to determine different ways in which these systems can be improved.

System Administrator - Roles and Responsibilities

A system administrator plays a pivotal role in maintaining the health, efficiency, and security of computer systems within an organization. Their responsibilities are vast and varied, encompassing everything from monitoring system performance to ensuring security measures are up to date. Below is a detailed overview of the roles and responsibilities of a system administrator:

1. Monitor System Performance

• Regularly check system logs, CPU usage, memory usage, and network performance to ensure optimal functioning.
• Identify potential issues before they escalate by analyzing performance data and trends.

2. Perform Daily Security Backups and Restores

• Schedule and manage regular backups to prevent data loss.
• Ensure data integrity by periodically testing restore processes.

3. Security Audits and Monitoring

• Conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with security policies.
• Use monitoring tools to detect and respond to security breaches and threats.

4. Technical Support

• Provide technical assistance to end-users for hardware, software, and network-related issues.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system problems to minimize downtime.

5. User Administration

• Manage user accounts, permissions, and access rights to ensure appropriate access to resources.
• Create, modify, and delete user accounts as needed.

6. Install and Configure Software and Hardware

• Set up new hardware, including servers, workstations, and peripheral devices.
• Install and configure operating systems, applications, and software updates.

7. Maintaining Networks and Network File Systems

• Oversee the functionality of network components such as routers, switches, and firewalls.
• Ensure network file systems are correctly configured and accessible to authorized users.

8. Backup and Disaster Recovery

• Develop and implement backup strategies to safeguard critical data.
• Create and maintain disaster recovery plans to ensure quick recovery from data loss events.

9. Operating Systems

• Install, update, and maintain operating systems across all devices.
• Optimize operating system performance and ensure compatibility with applications.

10. Create New Users

• Onboard new employees by creating user accounts and assigning necessary permissions.
• Ensure new users have access to the tools and resources required for their roles.

11. Database Administration

• Manage database servers, ensuring data availability and security.
• Perform database backups, recovery, and regular maintenance tasks.

12. Monitoring Systems

• Continuously monitor system health and performance using automated tools.
• Address anomalies and performance bottlenecks promptly.

13. Networking

• Maintain network infrastructure to ensure reliable and secure connectivity.
• Troubleshoot and resolve network issues to maintain uptime.

14. Patching Firmware and Software

• Regularly update firmware and software to protect against vulnerabilities.
• Test and deploy patches to minimize disruption to users.

15. Secure Configuration

• Implement security best practices in system configurations to protect against unauthorized access.
• Regularly review and update configurations to adapt to new security threats.

16. Security

• Enforce security policies and procedures to safeguard information assets.
• Use security tools and practices to detect, prevent, and respond to security incidents.

17. Troubleshoot Issues and Outages

• Quickly diagnose and resolve system issues and outages to minimize impact.
• Work with other IT professionals to address complex problems.

18. Configure Internal Systems

• Customize internal systems to meet organizational needs and improve efficiency.
• Ensure systems are integrated and functioning cohesively.

19. Documentation

• Maintain comprehensive documentation of system configurations, procedures, and changes.
• Use documentation to ensure continuity and facilitate troubleshooting.

20. Maintain Internal Documentation Through Wiki

• Create and update internal wiki pages to document processes, procedures, and best practices.
• Ensure documentation is accessible and useful for all team members.

21. Maintaining System

• Perform regular maintenance tasks to keep systems running smoothly.
• Update hardware and software as needed to prevent obsolescence.

22. Resetting User Passwords

• Assist users with password resets to maintain access security.
• Implement password policies to enhance security.

23. Upgrading Systems

• Plan and execute system upgrades to improve performance and functionality.
• Ensure compatibility and stability during and after upgrades.

How to Become a System Administrator?

If you are keen on becoming a system administrator, it helps when you start laying the right foundation right at the age of 15 or 16. With that said, here are the steps you can follow to become a professional system administrator-

Higher Secondary Education

It is recommended that you select science-related subjects, such as mathematics and physics when you pursue your higher secondary studies. You should try your best to secure a minimum of 50% aggregate score in your 10+2. It is generally a prerequisite set by various universities and professional courses for offering admission.

A Bachelor’s Degree

After schooling, pursuing a bachelor’s degree from a reputed university or college can help you build a basic foundation for skills specific to the job role of a system administrator. For this purpose, you can pursue your bachelor of technology in computer science, information technology, or engineering. You will have to appear in competitive examinations, such as JEE if you plan to pursue your bachelor’s degree from one of the top institutes.

Relevant Certifications

While securing a system administrator job does not essentially require you to have certifications, you might have a competitive advantage if you pursue relevant certifications. Further, some recruiters may also prefer candidates with certifications as it helps them gauge the candidate’s seriousness about having a career in this field. Therefore, earning certifications makes it easier for you to be recruited while also building technical skills.

A Master’s Degree

While pursuing a master’s degree is not mandatory, it may help set you apart from other applicants for the job role you consider. Some popular courses that you can consider include a master’s degree in computer science, information technology, system administration and networking, business administration in system management, and system administration and information security.

What Skills are Needed to Become a System Administrator?

A system administrator should have a combination of soft skills and technical abilities. Therefore, you can focus on improving the following skills-

Technical Skills

A system administrator is generally required to take up responsibilities related to programming, hardware capabilities, network infrastructure, testing protocols and mechanisms, and software development. While you might have a good hold on the basics of these skills once you complete your bachelor’s degree, you can also consider certification courses to develop expertise.

Communication Skills

System administrators are supposed to coordinate with various other professionals, such as technicians, managers, and executives, and are also required to interact with clients, stakeholders, and their own teams. Therefore, you should be able to convey your message, which may involve complex ideas in a way that is easy to comprehend for people. Thus, working on your communication skills—both written and verbal— can help you effectively collaborate with different people and work on your project with efficiency.  

Organizational Skills

Since you may have to handle various things at the same time while working, it will help you a great deal if you develop organizational skills early on. This will make it easier for you to deal with all the tools, resources, communication, and files in an organized fashion. Some of your projects with urgent deadlines may need immediate attention. When you have exceptional organizational skills, it will help you adhere to deadlines without any hassles.

Attention to Detail

System administrators may have to deal with large amounts of data and run an analysis to find patterns and draw useful insights that help with problem-solving and making the right decision. When you have an eye for detail, you are less likely to make errors.

10 Examples of System Administrator Skills

From hardware to software, programming to cyber security, and data management to tech support, here are the top skills of a system administrator.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is the delivery of necessary tech requirements like servers, databases, storage, software analytics, and networking over the internet. This way, active management by the user is not required. The system admin must be able to maintain and operate such a cloud structure.

As cloud computing becomes more and more viable and accessible, cloud admin skills will be a very important facet of the system administrator.

Communication

Since the system administrator oversees the entire software ecosystem within an organization, this puts them in contact with several employees. They must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to be approachable and helpful. Furthermore, several aspects of tech can often be loaded with jargon. The system administrator should be able to convey several tech aspects to people who may not be well-versed in this matter.

Great communication skills are a cornerstone of the modern workplace.

Decision-making

Any bugs or malfunctions within the organization's network may lead to loss of communication between departments, inoperability of computer systems, and system errors. This will crush workflow and productivity, costing the organization revenue.

The system administrator must ensure that they can assess the problem and make quick decisions to patch or eliminate it. Their decision-making skills are vital to the entire company's smooth workflow.

Digital Security

The company's data is one of its most valuable assets. As such, it must always be protected from external threats. The system administrator needs to be on point regarding all matters of modern cyber security. 

A cyber attack on the company's data may result in significant financial losses. This makes digital security one of the system administrator's most critical skills.

Hardware

Modern workplaces are stacked with tech hardware. These can include computer systems, printers, routers, physical server connections, and many more. The system admin overlooks the proper operability, maintenance, and upgrade of all company tech hardware.

System administrators are well-versed in all matters of hardware as well as software.

SQL 

SQL is a domain-specific language that is used to run data management systems. Technical knowledge of the language is a must for data experts who use the language to retrieve data from relational databases.

The system admin is at the forefront of this task. Since it is their job to ensure the safety and accessibility of the organization's data, SQL skills go a long way for sysadmins.

Leadership

One individual alone won't be able to manoeuvre an entire organization's worth of tech requirements. System admins are often the leader of a team of tech specialists who cater to the many tech-related requirements of the firm.

 As such, they must have the essential leadership skills to keep the entire tech team motivated and working like a well-oiled machine.

Network Systems

The modern workplace is full of systems working in neatly aligned networks. These networks function at multiple levels, from inter-team and inter-department to inter-organization networks. These organization-wide networks may include hundreds of operating systems that need to function smoothly for the company to operate efficiently.

The system administrator should be able to manage these vast networked systems and have the skills to troubleshoot any snag.

Scripting and Coding

A scripting or a coding role is a specialist role in a firm. These individuals are responsible for building programs and systems from the ground up. This is not necessarily the main role of the system admin. However, the system administrator must have basic scripting and coding knowledge to understand the network's functionality. They may also require to make quick software fixes to find short-term solutions to errors. 

Troubleshooting

As the foremost tech expert within an organization, the system administrator must be excellent at fixing problems. Any number of systems may face errors or other problems in the daily functioning of the organization. Tech support is one of the most important skills of the system administrator.

System Administrator - Job Description

The career outlook for system administrators continues to grow along with the changes in technology.  Hence, they are required to stay aware of all the latest trends in the tech space. These days, most companies require certification or recertification to ensure that their employees are not falling behind. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, systems administrator roles are projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029.

Here are some common requirements that you would find in a system administrator job description:

• Install and configure software, hardware and networks
• Ensure security and efficiency of IT infrastructure
• Monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues 
• Identify system requirements and install upgrades 
• Maintains, secure and upgrade a web system
• Create a backup and safeguard the data 
• Perform account setup for new and old employees
• Track emerging technologies and implement them in the organization

System Administrator - Salary Trends

A system administrator’s salary can depend on the location, experience and the type of systems they manage. Here is a list of system administrators’ salaries around the world.

• Annual average system administrator salary in India - ₹692,255
• Annual average system administrator salary in US - $82,925
• Annual average system administrator salary in UK - £25,634
• Annual average system administrator salary in Canada - CA$59,961
• Annual average system administrator salary in Australia - AU$68,685
• Annual average system administrator salary in Singapore - S$44641
• Annual average system administrator salary in UAE - AED 84,014
• Annual average system administrator salary in Saudi Arabia - SAR 92,37

Key Certifications Needed to Become a System Administrator

As already mentioned, certifications help you build expertise in a specific area, which can be immensely beneficial when you apply for jobs. Here are a few certifications that you can pursue if you want to become a system administrator-

Microsoft Certifications

There are three levels in Microsoft certifications, which are as follows-

• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): If you possess a certificate in the Microsoft technology Associate course, it indicates that you understand the basic technical concepts.
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate: This is the second level of the Microsoft certification which might be crucial when you apply for some entry-level jobs. Having this certification establishes that you possess core technical knowledge.
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: You can pursue your third-level certification in Microsoft after you have gained some technical experience in the field of system administration.

Red Hat Certified Engineer

RHCE certification serves the purpose of testing and verifying the Red Hat System administration knowledge possessed by a candidate through a series of tests. If you are keen on developing a thorough understanding of Red Hat system operations, storage configuration, and security management, this certification course is worth considering. Candidates with work experience may find it relatively easier to pass this certification test.

CompTIA Server+ Certification

This certification can be pursued by candidates with some years of professional experience in server management, which includes both hardware and software-related expertise. When you opt for this course, you will develop proficiency in data recovery, server administration and architecture, networking, troubleshooting, security, storage, and much more. At the end of the course, you will be required to take a 90-minute examination. Once you pass this exam, you are awarded the certificate which is valid for a lifetime.

Cisco Certified Network Associate

An associate-level certification from Cisco Systems Inc, completing this certification course helps establish that you are proficient in installing, repairing, and maintaining network systems for small to medium-sized organizations. Having a deep understanding of programmability, automation, security, and network access is crucial to passing the test.

Conclusion

The role of a systems administrator in 2024 remains crucial in maintaining the integrity, efficiency, and security of an organization's IT infrastructure. The job description encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, from monitoring system performance and ensuring data security to providing technical support and managing user accounts. Essential skills for this role include proficiency in operating systems, networking, database management, and security protocols, alongside strong problem-solving and communication abilities.

As technology continues to evolve, systems administrators must stay current with the latest advancements and best practices. Enrolling in a CISSP®- Certified Information Systems Security Professional training course can be particularly beneficial, providing advanced knowledge and skills necessary to address emerging security challenges. This continuous learning is vital for addressing emerging challenges and leveraging new tools and technologies to enhance system performance and security.

FAQs

1. What qualifications do I need to become a system administrator?

To become a system administrator, you must have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, IT systems management, or other related fields. However, if you do not possess a bachelor’s degree in any of these fields, you can consider pursuing certification courses that build very specific expertise and skills related to computer networks, system administration, and hardware.

2. Does becoming a system administrator require coding?

While useful for certain job roles, a system administrator is not required to know how to code. You can as well have a basic idea about coding concepts.

3. Is it easy to become a system administrator?

Since becoming a system administrator requires you to have technical knowledge in the field of computer sciences, it is generally not very difficult to become a system administrator if computer sciences interest you.

4. Can you become a system administrator without a degree?

This essentially depends on where you plan to work. While certain organizations accept candidates with certifications and may not focus on their bachelor’s degree, some organizations may require you to possess a bachelor’s degree as one of their basic criteria.

5. Is system administrator a good career?

A career in system administration can be beneficial, especially if you’re looking for good earning potential, career growth, industry diversity, as well as personal growth.

6. What does a System Administrator do?

System administrators support, troubleshoot, and maintain computer servers and networks. They are also known as sysadmins. These IT professionals ensure an organization's computer systems are optimally functioning and meet its needs.

7. What makes a good systems administrator?

To be a good system administrator, you must master the following activities: monitoring, auditing and reporting on changes/ interactions with files, folders, and platforms across your on-premises and cloud environment. Additionally, you should also know about anomaly spotting, intelligent threat detection through real-time alerts, and automated threat response.

8. Who does a system administrator work with?

A system administrator reports to the IT department head. They are uniquely responsible for problem-solving and communicating with colleagues within and beyond the IT team.

9. What responsibilities are common for systems administrator jobs?

The primary responsibilities of a systems administrator include installing and configuring software and hardware. They are also associated with managing technology tools and network servers. They set up accounts and workstations and monitor performance according to requirements.

10. What are the typical qualifications for systems administrator jobs?

Most recruiters seek systems administrators with a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as Computer and Information Technology. Typically, you will require up to three to five years of experience to qualify for a systems administration position in top organizations.

11. Is systems administration a good career?

Being a system administrator is a reputable job. They have a great earning potential compared to other disciplines in IT. Moreover, the demand for systems administration positions is expected to grow 36% over the next ten years.

12. Do systems administrators get paid well?

System administrators are fairly compensated for their work. In India, the average annual salary of a systems administrator with less than 2 years of experience is approximately ₹ 2 Lakhs, reaching up to ₹ 8 Lakhs for those with 5+ years of experience. 

13. Does the system administrator require coding?

System administration does not necessarily be proficient in coding. However, the job entails complete management of the computing environment, so they might have to develop some code at times to help developers and software engineers.