There are numerous innovations in the tech industry. Everything from your health, banking, games, and even your house can be controlled through a click from your phone. But who holds the billions of information and programs to make all of this work?
That’s where back-end database systems come in. It’s like the backbone of any tech. Alongside other online jobs, if you are skilled in maintaining and securing these IT systems, becoming an IT system administrator might be the remote job for you.
What Does an IT System Administrator Do?
Basically, IT system administrators are the back-end keepers of a system. With all the data that needs to be stored and readily accessed, IT system administrators make sure that the company network, the servers, and all IT infrastructures are maintained at tip-top shape.
After all, a down server may cost a lot of lost earnings even for just a minute.
They keep track of the performance of the servers and optimize the IT infrastructure and processes. They also upgrade the system if needed and create backup mechanisms in case of a server failure.
The tasks of IT system administrators are quite daunting. How can you become in-demand in this field? Here are 9 essential skills you should have.
Technical Skills
The IT industry is quite complicated. You should have the technical skills to understand and implement maintenance and changes. You have to visualize the process in the network and discern how these data are collected and stored.
To apply your ideas, you need to know scripting languages like HTML, Javascript, Phyton, SQL, and more depending on your client’s system.
Understanding of Cloud Computing
On top of technical skills, you should also utilize cloud computing. There will be times when a remote backup will be useful for specific clients.
As an IT system administrator, a cloud architecture and picking the best one with its security features and reliability, just in case.
Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
IT systems, combined with evolving programming languages, are complex. It needs a thorough understanding to implement and integrate into business processes. And don’t get me started with monthly security threats.
A sought-after IT system administrator should be quick in understanding complex problems and devising timely solutions. You should have the analytical skills and problem-solving skills to anticipate issues and to correct the ones your client is currently facing.
Hardware Management
More than software skills, you should also know how to handle hardware.
What’s the best way to set up your physical servers? What’s the best equipment needed for your client’s needs? How do you manually configure the machines? Is an upgrade already overdue?
Hardware management should be a given for sought-after IT system administrators.
Security and Monitoring
The modern world is not all butterflies and rainbows. There will be unscrupulous individuals who may sabotage your system (like a DoS attack) and even extort money for locking your system (like the infamous ransomware). What are your safeguards against these attacks?
Or maybe, your system just malfunctioned for a moment. Do you have any monitoring systems in place? You must secure your client’s with monitoring, backup, and recovery plans when that happens.
Communication Skills
You will not be working alone in this field. Communication is crucial in this scenario. You will be communicating with web developers, marketing, tech support, and so much more.
And in remote working environments, it level ups this need as miscommunication can quickly happen. After all, how can you assess non-verbal communication when you don’t even see your peers.
By strengthening your communication skills, you can work harmoniously with your team. And ultimately know their specific needs and apply crucial upgrades and security to cater to it.
Up-to-date
Technology advances every day. What are the new discoveries in your field? Is there a new tech management system you can adapt?
There will be new innovations that your client can use to be competitive and updated. But along this, there will also be new threats in place. You should be up-to-date with the current happenings in your field.
Read newsletters from reputable organizations in the IT industry. You can also join Facebook groups or Reddit threads in people in your field. In this way, you can not only future proof your client systems but also your career as well.
Conclusion
Are you excited to start your remote career? With the skills above, you are sure to reach new heights in this field.
If you’re looking for opportunities as an IT system administrator, you can check out this link for more information. Cheers!
