Duties of a system administrator
System Admin is a person who is responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems; especially multi-user computers, such as servers. System administrators may be members of an information technology department. Most of the following discussion also applies to network and Windows system admins.
The System Administrator is responsible for following things:
- Monitoring of system activity
- Maintaining system
- User administration (setup and maintaining account)
- Access control
- Physical security
- Verify that peripherals are working properly
- Quickly arrange repair for hardware in occasion of hardware failure
- Review system logs
- Monitor system performance
- System audit logging
- Create file systems
- Install software
- Install patches
- Create a backup and recover policy
- Maintain minimum security standards for systems
- Monitor network communication
- Update system as soon as new version of OS and application software comes out
- Troubleshoot problems reported by users.
- Implement the policies for the use of the computer system and network
- Setup security policies for users. A sysadmin must have a strong grasp of computer security (e.g. firewalls and intrusion detection systems)
- Documentation in form of internal wiki
- Password and identity management
- Report malicious or suspicious activity on systems to ISO immediately
- Report sensitive information stored on systems to ISO
- Maintain user access administration
- Disaster recovery planning
- Disable unnecessary services on servers
- Generate/Retain system backups
- Identify secondary system administrator(s)
- Comply with password requirements
- Environmental protection (i.e., protection from possible exposure to water damage, excessive heat, etc.)
- Security training will be required every three (3) years
- Designate a secondary administrator
- Ensure design of system allows all components to work properly together.
Note : Please note that the list above is neither complete nor comprehensive.
Enjoy !!! 🙂