What is a System Administrator?

System administrator is an information technology (IT) role responsible for installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting an organization's networked computer systems. This typically includes servers, operating systems and applications that run on the network.

A systems administrator's goals are to meet end-users' needs and to ensure high system availability. To accomplish these goals, system administrators plan for future system needs, continuously monitor and fine-tune the network and its assets, ensure the system is secure from outside threats, and react quickly to system outages.

In fact, one of a system administrator's most important skills is problem solving. If a system administrator supports applications such as, for example, a timekeeping system, then they will likely support the initial installation, apply software updates, assist with configurations, and monitor the application's performance.

The number of system administrators within an organization will depend on the size and complexity of the operation. A smaller business might have only one system administrator and they might also act as the network administrator. On the other hand, large enterprises typically have a whole team of system administrators.