What does a security administrator do?
A security administrator is in charge of establishing and enforcing security measures over a company's information systems and networks. Their duties typically revolve around installing and maintaining security networks, analyzing existing systems to identify areas needing improvement, conducting regular maintenance checks and upgrades to optimize services and functions, and monitoring overall systems for any suspicious activities or breaches. Furthermore, as a security administrator, it is essential to develop information technology solutions in adherence to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Security administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real security administrator resumes:
- Manage updates and creation of intranet file.
- Create, manage, and maintain corporate LAN.
- Manage and monitor various tools and reporting tools relating to security and encryption.
- Manage all network objects: computers, users, TCP/IP resources, printers, copier.
- Manage staff to implement JCL procedure modifications.
- Utilize PowerShell scripts to automate system administrative tasks.
- Command line interface administration with Linux and Unix.
- Resolve all security clearance issues between the customer and JPAS, decreasing adjudication wait time and eliminating additional stress on customer.
- Update personnel security clearance information utilizing JPAS and SIMS as required.
- Implement an in-house PBX system.
- Develop and maintain company's Intranet.
- Delete access to mainframe systems with RACF.
- Perform ISO risk analysis and management on controls.
- Review security logs and violation reports (ids).
- Configure Hardware/Network communications - Twinax, TCP/IP, etc.
Security administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Security Administrators are proficient in Customer Service, Troubleshoot, and Security Procedures. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Multitasking skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Security Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 10%
Led various migration and integration of new security devices into the existing network which dramatically improved operational efficiency and customer service.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Communicate with Local Security Administrator to troubleshoot application access issues.
- Security Procedures, 6%
Liaised with management to provide recommendations regarding enhancements to physical and technical security procedures.
- Data Entry, 5%
Manage requests simultaneously for different Medicare regions via data center and electronic data entry personnel.
- Security Policies, 5%
Developed and implemented Security policies and procedures supporting these assessments for the organization and monitored their viability in these dynamic environments.
- SCI, 5%
Prepare and provide SCI visit certification policy and procedure training to the various administrative support staff forums at the laboratory
"customer service," "troubleshoot," and "security procedures" are among the most common skills that security administrators use at work. You can find even more security administrator responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a security administrator to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." Additionally, a security administrator resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "perform a broad range of security administration work that includes: personnel security, physical security, and communications security. "
Multitasking skills. Many security administrator duties rely on multitasking skills. "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time.," so a security administrator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways security administrator responsibilities rely on multitasking skills: "leverage strong multitasking skills to manage customer service, data entry, invoicing, inventory control, and purchasing. "
Analytical skills. This is an important skill for security administrators to perform their duties. For an example of how security administrator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a security administrator: "utilized acavs, sims, jpas, and required government databases for processing. ".
Problem-solving skills. For certain security administrator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a security administrator rely on this skill, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what security administrators do: "resolved all security clearance issues between the customer and jpas, decreasing adjudication wait time and eliminating additional stress on customer. "
The three companies that hire the most security administrators are:
- Assurant40 security administrators jobs
- The Hertz Corporation18 security administrators jobs
- Advance Auto Parts14 security administrators jobs
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Compare different security administrators
Security administrator vs. Information technology administrator
An Information Technology (IT) administrator is an individual responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of an organization's IT systems and ensuring that the systems are running effectively. IT administrators must conduct consistent analyses of the computer system and install updates when needed. They are required to assess the organization's security programs and run the system for viruses and spyware. IT administrators also extend support to the organization's end-users and train them on desktop applications.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between security administrators and information technology administrator. For instance, security administrator responsibilities require skills such as "security procedures," "data entry," "sci," and "dod." Whereas a information technology administrator is skilled in "database," "windows server," "switches," and "pc." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Information technology administrators earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $93,678. On the other hand, security administrators are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $91,933.On average, information technology administrators reach similar levels of education than security administrators. Information technology administrators are 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Security administrator vs. Assistant systems administrator
Assistant systems administrators are responsible for supporting a team with their day-to-day operations of a company's computer systems and networks. They perform varied tasks, including monitoring, maintaining, and testing internet performance, ensuring the availability of computer networks for all users, and troubleshooting system failures and computer hardware and software issues. Assistant systems administrators may conduct training and support other network users within the organization. Additional tasks also include monitoring and evaluating the efficiency of operations and preparing systems and software documentation.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, security administrator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "security procedures," "data entry," "security policies," and "sci." Meanwhile, an assistant systems administrator has duties that require skills in areas such as "patients," "payroll," "bed facility," and "human resources." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Assistant systems administrators may earn a lower salary than security administrators, but assistant systems administrators earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $46,025. On the other hand, security administrators receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $91,933.assistant systems administrators earn higher levels of education than security administrators in general. They're 5.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security administrator vs. Help desk administrator
Help desk administrator is responsible for handling activities related to system support for their company or organization. They are in charge of providing superb client experiences and working in resolving support issues in a professional and timely manner. One of their primary tasks includes providing login resets and passwords for end-users. In addition, they will also perform innovative systems and network repairs, as well as assist computer information responses as required. Moreover, they support complete equipment set-up, renewal, or termination of a user account, handle server, and domain account changes.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from security administrator resumes include skills like "security procedures," "data entry," "security policies," and "sci," whereas a help desk administrator is more likely to list skills in "desk support," "phone calls," "remote desktop," and "computer system. "
Help desk administrators earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $56,503. Security administrators earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $91,933.When it comes to education, help desk administrators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to security administrators. In fact, they're 3.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Security administrator vs. Unix systems administrator
UNIX system administrators install, configure, and maintain the UNIX systems of organizations. The administrators are in charge of the troubleshooting of server errors. They install new system hardware for their respective organizations and respond to the issues raised by the users. It is part of their job to monitor the network's performance. Usually, they are working in an office using UNIX multiuser operating system. They supervise the execution of data conversion projects such as database hardware replacements.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between security administrators and unix systems administrators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a security administrator might have more use for skills like "customer service," "security procedures," "data entry," and "security policies." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of unix systems administrators require skills like "production servers," "database," "san," and "system administration. "
In general, unix systems administrators earn the most working in the finance industry, with an average salary of $110,380. The highest-paying industry for a security administrator is the government industry.The average resume of unix systems administrators showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to security administrators. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.Types of security administrator
Updated January 8, 2025
