Security Administrator is a Profession in Cybersecurity
How to Become a Security Administrator – The majority of career paths have one or more distinct roles that act as entry points for new hires.
Security administrator, sometimes known as systems security administrator, network systems administrator, or IT security administrator, is a profession in cybersecurity. The title and scope of the role will vary depending on the size and type of the company, but this is where the majority of cybersecurity experts start.
And, like with many other professions, the backgrounds of individuals who apply for this entry-level position vary widely. Degrees in computer science or cybersecurity, as well as expertise in an information technology capacity, are normally preferred.
Many people, on the other hand, enter the sector with an unconnected educational background augmented by technical experience. Any further cybersecurity training and certifications will offer any candidate an advantage in these entry-level professions.
Employers who seek more thorough experience in numerous IT fields are still out there. Experience and skill requirements vary widely, much as job scopes.
Five Steps to Becoming a Security Administrator
1. Education: While a bachelor’s degree in science is not always required to work as a security administrator, it is often desirable. A degree in computer science or a related discipline is also often recommended, although not required. Many cybersecurity experts have degrees in other STEM fields, as well as liberal arts majors such as psychology or fine arts.
2. Experience: In any field, getting a foot in the door can be just as reliant on practical experience as it is on education. Hands-on experience in information technology environments can compensate for a lack of a computer science undergraduate degree.
3. Take initiative: When embarking on a new job path, it’s important to take advantage of every opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Any future employer will be impressed if you show a passion for your professional speciality and take the initiative to develop your abilities and knowledge without being asked. Attending conventions and symposiums, enrolling in training courses, and earning professional certifications all demonstrate to employers that you have the desire and ambition to succeed. CompTIA A+ is a wonderful place to start if you’re looking for a basic certification in IT operations and technical support.
4. Professional certificates: Because most security administrator candidates are new to the field, professional credentials aren’t usually a condition for accepting a job offer. Any certificates that an applicant may brag, however, are clearly advantageous. Once a career in information security has begun, gaining as much industry training and recognition as possible will only help to accelerate success. Several organisations provide beneficial training and certification courses. SANS Technology Institute, GIAC, Infosec Institute, and EC-Council are some of the more well-known among industry participants. Don’t be scared to start training and obtaining certifications in different information security specialities.
5. An open-minded attitude: When it comes to employment responsibilities, entry-level is typically a euphemism for “anything goes.” This nis is more likely to occur if the employer’s business, government organisation, or non-profit is tiny. In large companies, there is usually enough staffing that each employee may focus on just one or two speciality jobs and duties. Smaller businesses, on the other hand, must make do with fewer resources. This means that each employee must be able to go from one task to the next with ease and without complaint. Be willing to help the boss with anything he or she need. Finally, this open-mindedness will be rewarded with a fast-tracked career route to success.
What is a Security Administrator?
The essential duty of any security administrator, whether the title is security administrator, systems security administrator, network systems administrator, or IT security administrator, is to ensure the propriety and security of any given organization’s digital information. The job’s scope will vary substantially depending on the organization’s size and type.
Typically, security administrators work as a team to meet the employer’s entire digital security demands. A group of security administrators will be responsible for ensuring that an organization’s desktop and mobile systems, networks, wifi applications, wearable devices, digital information, hardware, and software are safe from hostile external or internal actors.
Security Administrator Skills and Experience
A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information security, or a STEM-related field is normally preferred, but not required, for entry into cybersecurity. Employers have different demands and experiences when it comes to what makes the finest information security workers. Many people are content with associate degrees or non-technical bachelor’s degrees. Others necessitate a technical degree in information technology. Certain businesses require little direct experience, while others want five years or more of IT and, in some cases, information security knowledge.
Real-world needs vary widely, however the following are some of the most common talents and experiences that most employers look for:
- Excellent communication abilities, both written and oral
- Dedicated to the details
- Motivated by oneself
- Multitasking ability Continuous learner able to keep up with changing technologies
- Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
- IT experience and knowledge are required.
What do Security Administrators do?
A security administrator in a Fortune 500 company is likely to be one of many entry-level employees who make up the cybersecurity department’s security administration team. As a result, each administrator is typically assigned a specialised task, such as guarding the company’s email server, analysing network threats as they occur, or updating security measures as needed. These and other functions are frequently done by a single junior security administrator in smaller firms. In total, security administrator teams are equivalent to a municipal police department. Teams create digital defence policies, build and deploy defensive systems, enforce protocols, investigate breaches, and aid lawmakers in prosecuting attackers.
Security Administrator Job Description
Security administrators are supposed to maintain information systems safe from assault as part of an organization’s cybersecurity team. The following are some of the common responsibilities of security administrators as a group:
- Systems, networks, wifi applications, and wearable gadgets can all be monitored.
- Construct new security mechanisms.
- Vulnerabilities in the system or network should be identified.
- These flaws should be repaired and/or closed as soon as possible.
- Real-time monitoring of incoming cybersecurity traffic and threats
- System firewalls and antivirus applications should be designed, implemented, and maintained.
- Create and enforce authorisation and use protocols for networks and systems.
- Plan for network and system recovery by designing and preparing recovery strategies.
Outlook for Security Administrators
According to the InfoSec Institute, there is a global shortage of approximately three million cybersecurity workers, with half a million in North America alone. And the problem is only going to become worse as demand for information security resources is predicted to skyrocket in the near future. According to Cybercrime Magazine, cybercrime will cost $6 trillion annually by 2021, up from $3 trillion in 2015, demonstrating the industry’s urgency and speed of expansion. As a result, the staffing gap is expected to grow to 3.5 million employees by 2021.
With this as a backdrop, it’s clear that the demand for entry-level cybersecurity workers will continue to rise steadily for some time. Because the sector is in such desperate need, a lack of immediately comparable experience and education isn’t usually a deal breaker. Demonstrated enthusiasm for information security and digital sciences is frequently enough to persuade an organisation to hire fresh cybersecurity professionals.
How much do Security Administrators Make?
Security administrators presently earn between $42,000 and $95,000 per year, according to Payscale.com, with an average yearly pay of $67,000. Annual bonuses, commissions, and profit-sharing can total up to $5,000.
