If you are looking for a lucrative career that offers immense opportunities for growth, then becoming a security administrator might just be the first step in the right direction. So what do security administrators do? Let’s find out!

Security Administrator

Every time you hear in the news that a security breach has occurred in a renowned organization, and hackers have gained access to confidential information, it is almost always referring to database breach. With the plethora of apps, websites, and other platforms available, the wealth of information that these digital platforms possess are stored in databases and it is essential for them to be secure. This is where a database administrator comes in. It is the responsibility of database administrators to ensure that the databases and other similar sources of data remain secure and protected from unauthorized access.

Cybersecurity architects design the security system for an organization, which is then implemented by security engineers, and then run by the security administrators. They are responsible for routine tasks each day, such as setting up new accounts, granting access rights to each account and increasing or reducing the permissions each account has, as well as managing the user’s roles along with their information.

They are also sometimes responsible for briefing the teams and other departments the latest developments in information security threats, and thus must be aware of the best practices as well as the security policies. There are various levels of being a security administrator, from an entry-level to a senior level position. Senior security administrators can be expected to occupy the position of Chief Security Officers as well, in large organizations. In order to secure an entry-level position as a security administrator, it is necessary to have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in computer science, cybersecurity, or any related field.

Security Administrator Responsibilities

Now that you know who security administrators are and what they do, let’s look at their responsibilities in detail. Depending on the scope and the level you are at, your responsibilities will include some or all of the following:

• Setting up the processes of the system along with the user accounts within the parameters as decided by the organization.
• Defending the system against malicious attacks, destruction attempts, modification, or unauthorized access.
• Developing and deploying technical policies to be adhered by users.
• Assess the performance of the system by performing network and vulnerability scanning
• Use the log files to audit activities as well as user access.
• monitor and oversee the network traffic for any signs of unusual activity.
• Analyze the requirements for security of the company’s network and establish them
• Handle account exceptions, such as forgotten passwords, lockouts, deactivation and setting up of an account.
• Develop security awareness in fellow employees by informing them of the protocols and procedures.
• Configure security tools and support them such as firewalls, patch management systems, and anti-virus software.
• Develop disaster recovery protocols along with business continuity protocols and update them as and when required.
• Offer technical security advice to the team.
• Deploy the application security, network security policies, corporate data safeguards, and access control.
• For the teams and business units requiring similar levels of access control, administer such groups as well as organizations in the system.

However, as mentioned previously as well, these duties will vary depending on the level a security administrator is at, the operating system of an organization, as well as the security mechanisms in place. For those professionals working in small organizations, the duties may remain the same as that of a security analyst or a security specialist. The security administrator reports to the Security Manager.

Security Administrator Requirements

In order to become a security administrator, following are some of the things you should have knowledge of.

• RBAC (Role Based Access Control)
• DAC (Discretionary Access Control)
• MAC (Mandatory Access Control)
• Unix ACLs (Access Control Lists)
• AWS (Amazon Web Services) Directory Services
• Microsoft ACLs and Active Directory Group Policy

It is always a good idea to have different certifications under your belt, along with the bachelor’s or master’s degree, as it helps in skill development as well as in getting the attention of the employers.

Apart from these, it is also very important to have degrees and certifications which lay the foundation for pursuing this career. Security Administrators should be graduates, preferably having a bachelor’s degree in either computer science or cybersecurity. With the rapidly evolving needs of cybersecurity and the digital interface, it becomes even more important to have education that supports this growth, however, at time extensive experience of the industry and practical applications of cybersecurity may trump the need for a degree.

Certifications

Security administrators should be familiar with the numerous details regarding the network and security system architecture, such as Unix and Windows file system architecture and internals. Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, and Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), scripting languages like Perl, VB Script, Python etc., and patch management and integrated system services including BigFix by IBM, and Windows System Center. However, that is not all, following are some of the certifications which will help enhance the skill set of a security administrator.

• CompTIA Security+
• MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate)
• CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
• CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)
• ECSA (EC-Council Certified Security Analyst)
• CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)

Career Path for a Security Administrator

If you start off as a security administrator, then there are multiple senior level positions which you can occupy as you progress through your career. These include positions like; security analyst, security engineer, security auditor, and security consultant. The positions mentioned so far are mid-level positions, from where you can occupy senior level positions such as security manager, security director, security architect, and CISO.

Similar Jobs

There are different jobs which have the same responsibilities as that of a security administrator. Following are a couple which you might come across.

• Systems Security Administrator
• It Security Administrator
• Network Security Administrator

So if you come across any of these job openings, then know that you are eligible to apply.

Pay Scale of a Security Administrator

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a security administrator can earn an average of $81,100/- per annum. The job outlook is looking positive with the growth rate at 6%, which is as fast as average for the IT Industry jobs. However, if you are skilled and have a number of qualifications to back you, then you may even earn greater than that.

Experience and Skills Set Requirements

For a security administrator, depending on the level at which the job is being offered and the size of the company that has an opening, an experience of 1-10 years may be needed. For entry-level jobs minimal experience is required, whereas, for mid to senior level jobs, 5-10 years’ experience is a must. As far as the skills are concerned, they can be broken down into two types, namely; the hard skills, and the soft skills. Their requirements are explained in detail below:

Hard Skills

If you really want to ace that interview for a security administrator position, after being picked from the resume screening process, then, you should be aware of what employers look for in potential candidates. Here is a list of the technical skills which you should possess in order to impress the hiring manager.

• Knowledge and understanding of common L4-L7 protocols, including DNS, SSL, IPSec, SMTP, and HTTP.
• Knowledge and Understanding of computer networking, TCP/IP, switching, and routing.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of firewall technologies
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of IDS/IPS
• Linux, Unix, and Windows Operating Systems
• Checkpoint/ Cisco, Juniper
• Knowledge and understanding of Load Balancer, and Packet Shaper, along with Proxy Server 
• Knowledge and understanding of the tools for packet analysis and network protocols
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the protocols for Firewall and Intrusion detection as well as prevention.

Additionally, it is always better to be up to date with the industry’s requirements and continue updating your skills set according to changing times.

Soft Skills

Soft skills are as important as hard skills, and sometimes even more important because if you are not even able to communicate, how will you convince the employer that you are the right person for the role they have an opening of. Therefore, soft skills like writing, teaching as well as communication should be very strong, and you should always be prepared for drafting security policies, and helping other, non-technical employees understand the procedures and the protocols of security.

Sample resume of Security Administrator

It is very important to have relevant information on your resume in order to impress the employers while at the same time provide them the key information which will help them in shortlisting your resume for interview.

Oswald Dickens

610 Wilhelm Port, Dallas, TX

Phone:  +1 (555) 364 5461

Objective

To use my skills and experience for helping other people and making a difference in society by protecting that which people hold precious to them.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Security+ Certified
• VMWare Experience
• Active Directory
• Self-Starter
• Exceptional Troubleshooter
• Patch Management