What does a security systems administrator do?
Security Systems Administrators are responsible for managing the security systems operations of an organization. Their duties include conducting penetration and vulnerability tests, establishing policies for network security, implementing protocols for disaster recovery, configuring security tools, carry out security audits, and monitor network traffic. Security Systems Administrators also advise executives on best practices and assist staff training programs in security procedures and awareness. They work on protecting the network against unauthorized access, destruction, or modification.
Security systems administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real security systems administrator resumes:
- Manage automated security and functional OS and application patches.
- Lead enterprise-wide virtualization effort, overseeing and personally completing vendor/hardware qualifications, architecture/design, installation, configuration, migration and documentation.
- Ensure optimal security for multiple network applications, including NFS, DNS, TCP/IP.
- Work on updating and patching the Linux and windows servers.
- Provide on-the-job training (OJT) training to military and civilian DOD personnel.
- Install, upgrade, troubleshot, and configure CISCO switches for worldwide network.
- Engineer and plan for new servers, routers, switches and hubs on network.
- Use phone, email, and instant messaging to troubleshoot teammate s access relate issues.
- Support installation, troubleshooting and operation of firewalls, VPN's, DNS configuration and maintenance.
- Counsele global affiliates on Unix systems administration policies and procedures.
- Assist in preparation for security inspections and support other DoD initiatives.
- Update the inventory asset database with accurate records to enable better production decision making.
- Perform daily system monitoring, verifying the integrity and availability of all desktop hardware.
- Conduct spatial analysis using ArcGIS desktop applications, generate quarterly reports, and database/servers statistics.
- Maintain secure accurate up-to-date database of software and hardware inventory and make recommendations for upgrades to contractors.
Security systems administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Security Systems Administrators are proficient in Security Systems, Troubleshoot, and Linux. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Security Systems Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Security Systems, 8%
Experience developing and implementing policies and procedures for customer service center operations supporting ID card operations and technical security systems.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Communicated with all departments within the company to troubleshoot external and internal customer service issues and provide innovative solutions.
- Linux, 6%
Install new and rebuild existing RCVS application servers on the Red Hat Linux platform.
- DOD, 5%
Provide DOD approved vulnerability scanning and automated remediation using Retina and Hercules.
- Database, 4%
Maintained secure accurate up-to-date database of software and hardware inventory and made recommendations for upgrades to contractors.
- Windows Server, 4%
Administer Windows servers ensuring system performance, reliability, availability and integrity.
Common skills that a security systems administrator uses to do their job include "security systems," "troubleshoot," and "linux." You can find details on the most important security systems administrator responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a security systems administrator to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Additionally, a security systems administrator resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "monitored and reported to management physical security of trading rooms and data centers. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling security systems administrator duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." According to a security systems administrator resume, here's how security systems administrators can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "installed and configured tripwire enterprise software to establish communications for intrusion detection. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of security systems administrators is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday security systems administrator duties, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "designed, deployed, and provided operational support including team member training and documentation for device encryption solutions. "
The three companies that hire the most security systems administrators are:
- SMX Convention Center51 security systems administrators jobs
- Robert Half13 security systems administrators jobs
- Peraton5 security systems administrators jobs
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Compare different security systems administrators
Security systems administrator vs. Lan administrator
LAN administrators are responsible for maintaining the local area network of an organization. These administrators manage the server that connects an organization's network to computers and equipment that need them. They install, configure, and troubleshoot the local area network or LAN in a corporate office. It is part of their job to ensure that the internet is available for everyone who uses computers to perform their roles. They also evaluate and recommend the computers, hardware and software, and the equipment needed to create a hack-proof server.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between security systems administrators and lan administrator. For instance, security systems administrator responsibilities require skills such as "security systems," "dod," "database," and "ids." Whereas a lan administrator is skilled in "network hardware," "desktop support," "lan," and "emerging technologies." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Lan administrators really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $74,033. Comparatively, security systems administrators tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $92,490.lan administrators tend to reach similar levels of education than security systems administrators. In fact, lan administrators are 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Security systems administrator vs. Linux administrator
A Linux administrator is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of Linux operating systems to support business operations and high-quality deliverables. Linux administrators handle the resolution of Linux network issues, maintaining its stability and ensuring its safety and security from unauthorized access and malware threats. They also conduct regular maintenance to configure the system navigation and infrastructure, running multiple diagnostic tests to identify defects, and recommending strategic procedures for system enhancement. A Linux administrator must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in providing technical support on faulty servers.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, security systems administrator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "security systems," "linux," "dod," and "windows server." Meanwhile, a linux administrator has duties that require skills in areas such as "python," "windows," "linux servers," and "bash." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, linux administrators earn a higher salary than security systems administrators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, linux administrators earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $82,498. Whereas security systems administrators have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $92,490.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Linux administrators tend to reach higher levels of education than security systems administrators. In fact, they're 7.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for security systems administrators in the next 3-5 years?
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.
Dean, Professor, New York Institute of Technology
-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.
-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.
Security systems administrator vs. Network/server administrator
A Network Administrator ensures an organizations' network is operational and up to date. They solve problems that arise within computer networks, maintaining computer networks, interacting with clients, and consulting with them to determine their system requirements.
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 systems administrator resumes include skills like "security systems," "dod," "database," and "ids," whereas a network/server administrator is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "powershell," "server administration," and "microsoft windows. "
Network/server administrators earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $84,609. Comparatively, security systems administrators have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $92,490.Most network/server administrators achieve a similar degree level compared to security systems administrators. For example, they're 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security systems administrator vs. Unix administrator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between security systems administrators and unix administrators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a security systems administrator might have more use for skills like "security systems," "troubleshoot," "dod," and "windows server." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of unix administrators require skills like "linux servers," "web servers," "nfs," and "veritas netbackup. "
In general, unix administrators earn the most working in the finance industry, with an average salary of $93,829. The highest-paying industry for a security systems administrator is the finance industry.The average resume of unix administrators showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to security systems administrators. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.4%.Types of security systems administrator
Updated January 8, 2025
