What is an IT Administrator? Roles & Responsibilities

An IT Administrator or Information Technology Administrator is a technical professional responsible for managing and maintaining an organization's technological operations and strategies. Spanning a variety of specialist roles like system administrator, database administrator, network administrator, and server administrator, an IT administrator oversees, optimizes, and secures the core IT infrastructure of a business.

IT administrators who manage SaaS sprawl, track software licenses, and govern user access across dozens of apps often turn to a dedicated SaaS visibility and discovery platform to get a complete, real-time picture of every app in use, including shadow IT.

What exactly does an IT Administrator do? An IT Administrator role typically includes (but is not limited to) roles such as the Security Administrator, responsible for ensuring that the organization’s information systems and data are protected; the Cloud Administrator, who manages and monitors enterprise cloud computing strategies and implementations; and the IT Operations Administrator, focused on maintaining the operations of all user and enterprise IT infrastructure.

Technical Assistance and Support: As an IT Support Administrator, they provide technical assistance and support, resolving software and hardware issues across the organization. As an IT Infrastructure Administrator, these professionals are tasked with designing, installing, and managing a company's IT systems.

Implement IT Strategies and Policies: We have an IT Governance Administrator who helps formulate and implement the organization's IT strategies and policies. The IT Project Administrator ensures that IT projects are adequately planned, executed, and monitored, while the IT Service Administrator oversees IT service delivery within an organization.

Review and Update IT Policies: On a broader scale, the IT Policy Administrator creates, reviews, and updates IT policies; the IT Asset Administrator manages all IT assets; and the IT Change Administrator handles changes and developments within an organization's digital infrastructure. The IT Risk Administrator governs risk factors, whereas the IT Compliance Administrator ensures the company adheres to relevant laws, regulations, and standards.

Manage Response to IT Disruptions: The pivotal roles of the IT Disaster Recovery Administrator, who plans and manages responses to IT disruptions, and the IT Vendor Administrator, who oversees suppliers of IT products and services, should not be overlooked. In summary, an IT Administrator aligns technology systems and operations with the organization's needs, making a crucial contribution to business success in the digital age.

Examples of IT Administrator

Enterprise Setting

One example of an IT Administrator role is at a growing tech startup, where the need for managing IT resources and infrastructure is high. This person designs and oversees local and wide area networks and system installations. They manage servers, install firewalls, and troubleshoot network issues. Even with a small team, they shoulder immense responsibility for the seamless running of the IT systems.

Small and Medium Businesses

In a multi-national corporation, the IT Administrator takes on a strategic role. They focus on big-picture IT strategies while managing a global IT team. Coordinating with third-party vendors, crafting system recovery plans, and ensuring corporate data security are central tasks. They often manage large, complex, and geographically diverse IT infrastructures.

Real-World Example

For institutions like universities, the IT Administrator handles unique challenges. They configure, maintain, and upgrade hardware and software across academic and administrative units. Frequently dealing with high volumes of data and wide server networks, they ensure smooth network functionality for thousands of faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, they strategize about network security and user privacy, prioritizing the sensitivity of research data often generated in academic settings.

IT Administrator Responsibilities and Best Practices

Best practices for an IT administrator involve a multi-faceted approach that keeps every department in the IT industry functioning at optimal levels. The role of a system administrator, for instance, heavily consists of installing, supporting, and maintaining servers and other computer systems. Staying abreast of the latest updates and optimizing regularly for maximum system performance is crucial.

Design and Setup of Network

A network administrator focuses on the design, setup, and maintenance of networks. They should consistently monitor network performance, apply necessary security upgrades, and troubleshoot any issue that may arise promptly. Similarly, a database administrator should always ensure that databases are secure, operational, and free from unauthorized access.

Management of Server Hardware and Software

The server administrator role revolves around managing and maintaining server hardware and software. Regular system checkups and prompt problem-solving are crucial in their duties. A security administrator is paramount in safeguarding an organization's data from threats. Regular security audits and knowledge of the latest security protocols are imperative.

Manage Cloud-Based Assets and IT Operations

Cloud and IT operations administrators manage cloud-based assets and everyday IT operations, respectively. They must keep an eye on simplifying processes for efficiency, whether by automating SaaS operations or managing cloud resources strategically.

IT Support and Infrastructure

IT support and infrastructure administrators focus on providing necessary support to the IT team and ensuring a robust and reliable tech framework. On the governance side, the IT governance administrator has the delicate task of adhering to rules and regulations while ensuring the organization's IT aligns with business goals.

Policy Implementation and Guidelines

From IT project administration to policy administration, these roles involve effective planning, policy implementation, and ensuring up-to-date guidelines. Other roles like IT service, asset, change, risk, compliance, disaster recovery, and vendor administration further contribute to the aligned functioning of the IT department, each with its unique focus and purpose.

SaaS Management for IT Administrators

One area where IT administrator responsibilities have grown significantly is software-as-a-service governance. The average enterprise now runs hundreds of SaaS applications, many acquired outside of IT's oversight. IT asset administrators, vendor administrators, and operations administrators all benefit from a dedicated SaaS discovery and visibility platform that surfaces every app in use, tracks real usage against purchased licenses, and flags unauthorized tools before they become a security or compliance risk.

Torii's SaaS Management Platform is built around the IT administrator's core workflows: discovering shadow IT, right-sizing licenses based on real usage, automating employee onboarding and offboarding across every app, and conducting access reviews to keep entitlements current. The result is better visibility, faster action, and less manual overhead for IT teams of any size.

Related Tools for IT Administrators

• Torii: SaaS Management Platform
• ServiceNow: IT service management software
• SolarWinds: Network management and monitoring tools
• Jira: Agile project management and issue-tracking software
• ManageEngine: IT operations and service management software
• Nagios: Network and server monitoring tool
• TeamViewer: Remote access and support software
• Microsoft System Center: Unified management of IT systems
• Chef: Infrastructure automation and configuration management tool
• VMware vSphere: Virtualization platform for managing virtual machines
• Cisco Meraki: Cloud-managed IT networking solutions
• Cisco Webex: Collaboration and video conferencing platform
• Splunk: Operational intelligence and log analytics software
• Dynatrace: Application performance monitoring tool
• Citrix XenApp: Application virtualization and delivery solution
• McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator: Security management platform
• Symantec Endpoint Protection: Endpoint security and threat prevention software
• Skedulo: Scheduling and workforce management software
• CrowdStrike: Endpoint security and threat intelligence platform
• Sophos Central: Unified threat management and endpoint protection solution
• Ivanti: IT asset management and service management software.

Related Concepts in IT Administrators

• System administrator: Manages and maintains computer systems, including hardware, software, and network components.
• Network administrator: Responsible for maintaining and managing an organization's computer networks, ensuring connectivity, security, and performance.
• Database administrator: Manages and organizes databases, ensuring data storage, retrieval, security, and integrity.
• Server administrator: Handles the setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting of servers, ensuring their efficient and secure operation.
• Security administrator: Implements and manages security measures to protect computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access or breaches.
• Cloud administrator: Manages and maintains cloud-based infrastructure, ensuring availability, scalability, and security of cloud services.
• IT operations administrator: Oversees day-to-day IT activities, ensuring smooth operation of systems, networks, and applications.
• IT support administrator: Provides technical assistance and support to end-users, troubleshooting and resolving hardware and software issues.
• IT infrastructure administrator: Manages and supports an organization's IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, and storage systems.
• IT governance administrator: Establishes and enforces policies and procedures to ensure IT systems align with business goals and comply with regulations.
• IT project administrator: Coordinates and manages IT projects, ensuring timely completion and adherence to project requirements.
• IT service administrator: Manages the delivery and support of IT services to end-users, ensuring quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• IT policy administrator: Develops and enforces IT policies and procedures to govern the use of technology within an organization.
• IT asset administrator: Keeps track of IT assets, including hardware, software, and licenses, ensuring proper inventory management and accountability.
• IT change administrator: Manages and coordinates changes to IT systems, ensuring minimal disruptions and proper documentation of changes.
• IT risk administrator: Identifies, assesses, and mitigates IT-related risks that could impact business operations or data security.
• IT compliance administrator: Ensures IT systems and processes comply with industry standards, regulations, and internal policies.
• IT disaster recovery administrator: Develops and implements plans to recover IT systems and data during a disaster or disruption.
• IT vendor administrator: Manages relationships with IT vendors, including contract negotiation, performance monitoring, and issue resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions: IT Administrator

What is an IT Administrator?

An IT Administrator is a professional responsible for managing computer networks, systems, and software within an organization. The role covers sub-specialties from system and network administration to security, cloud, and identity governance.

What are the duties of an IT Administrator?

An IT Administrator is typically responsible for network maintenance, software installation and updates, security management, user support, and troubleshooting technical issues. In organizations with large SaaS estates, IT administrator duties also include managing software licenses, governing user access, and detecting unauthorized applications.

What skills are required to become an IT Administrator?

A successful IT Administrator should have skills in network administration, cybersecurity, systems management, troubleshooting, software installation, and user support. Familiarity with identity and access management (IAM) and SaaS governance tools is increasingly expected in modern IT environments.

How can I become an IT Administrator?

To become an IT Administrator, you typically need a bachelor's degree in information technology or a related field, along with relevant certifications such as CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

What is the average salary of an IT Administrator?

IT Administrator pay depends heavily on experience, location, company size, and industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks this role as "network and computer systems administrators." As of May 2024, that occupation's national wage figures were:

• Lowest 10% (entry level, smaller organizations): less than $60,320 per year
• Median (50th percentile): $96,800 per year
• Highest 10% (senior roles, large enterprises): more than $150,320 per year

So a realistic range for most IT Administrators is roughly $60,000 to $150,000 per year, with the typical practitioner near $96,800. Entry-level and small-business roles sit toward the lower end. Senior administrators managing large, multi-site environments sit toward the upper end.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, May 2024 wage data.

What is the career outlook for IT Administrators?

The career outlook for IT Administrators is favorable as businesses continue to rely heavily on technology. Demand is expected to remain steady, with growing specialization in cloud administration, identity governance, and SaaS operations.

What are the standard tools used by IT Administrators?

IT Administrators use network monitoring software, security tools, ticketing systems, remote access tools, and configuration management tools to manage and support IT infrastructure effectively. Increasingly, they also rely on SaaS management platforms to track software spend and usage across hundreds of cloud applications.

How can an IT Administrator improve network security?

IT Administrators can enhance network security by implementing strong password policies, regularly updating software and security patches, using firewalls and antivirus software, and educating users about cybersecurity best practices. Governing SaaS access, including enforcing offboarding workflows that immediately revoke access across all apps, is a critical modern security control.

What is the difference between an IT Administrator and a Network Administrator?

While both roles involve managing computer networks, an IT Administrator has a broader scope that includes operating systems, software, and user support, whereas a Network Administrator primarily focuses on network infrastructure and connectivity.

How can an IT Administrator handle technical issues efficiently?

IT Administrators can efficiently handle technical issues by utilizing troubleshooting methodologies, documenting known issues and resolutions, staying updated with the latest technology, and collaborating with other IT professionals for problem-solving.