security administrator job description

Security Administrator Responsibilities:

Configuring security systems, analyzing security requirements, and recommending improvements. Monitoring network traffic for suspicious behavior. Creating network policies and authorization roles and defending against unauthorized access, modifications, and destruction.
A Security Administrator installs, administers, and troubleshoots an organization's security solutions. The Security Administrator will ensure the network's security, protect against unauthorized access, modification, or destruction, and troubleshoot any access problems.
We are looking for a detail-oriented Security Administrator to be responsible for desktop, mobile, and network security, troubleshooting network access and implementing network security policies and procedures at our organization. The Security Administrator works independently within the established procedures to ensure network security access and protect against unauthorized access, modifications, or destruction. Your responsibilities include performing risk assessments, audits, staff training sessions, and monitoring network activity.

To be a successful Security Administrator, you should be meticulous and detail-oriented, with excellent technical and information security skills. You should be skilled at drafting security policies and training less technically skilled employees to be security conscious.

Security Administrator Responsibilities:
Installing, administering, and troubleshooting network security solutions.
Updating software with the latest security patches and ensuring the proper defenses are present for each network resource.
Performing vulnerability and penetration tests, identifying and defending against threats, and developing disaster recovery plans.
Configuring security systems, analyzing security requirements, and recommending improvements.
Monitoring network traffic for suspicious behavior.
Creating network policies and authorization roles and defending against unauthorized access, modifications, and destruction.
Consulting with staff, managers, and executives about the best security practices and providing technical advice.
Configuring and supporting security tools, such as firewalls and anti-virus software.
Training staff to understand and use security protocols.
Security Administrator Requirements:
An Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cyber Security, or a related field.
Advanced training certifications may be advantageous.
A strong understanding and knowledge of computer, network, and security systems.
Good teaching, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

What does a security engineer do?

What is a Security Engineer?
A business’s computer network can never be too secure. Security engineering focuses on designing computer systems that can deal with disruptions such as natural disasters or malicious cyber attacks.

Faulty software can leave networks vulnerable to malware, spyware, adware, phishing and more. A security engineer is someone who analyzes computer networks, ensures they are running securely, and tries to foresee possible security issues that could arise in the future.
What does a Security Engineer do?
Security engineers are responsible for testing and screening security software and for monitoring networks and systems for security breaches or intrusions. They can often resolve possible causes of security threats early on by looking at things from a security perspective and recommending enhancements to management.

As the company’s first line of defence against unauthorized access from outside sources and potential security threats, security engineers have a very important job to do. Not only do they know how to pinpoint any potential threats, they also know how to plan and prepare before any security threats take place. They act as an all-in-one security team by implementing and testing strategies, reporting on any incidents for future preparation, keeping track of the status of network security, and educating other employees to raise security awareness.

Some of the duties and responsibilities security engineers have:

developing a set of security standards and practices
creating new ways to solve existing production security issues
recommending security enhancements to management
installing and using software, such as firewalls and data encryption programs
assisting with installation or processing of new security products and procedures
conducting scans of networks to find vulnerabilities
conducting penetration testing
monitoring networks and systems for security breaches or intrusions
installing software that helps with notification of intrusions
developing automation scripts to handle and track incidents
testing security solutions using industry standard analysis criteria
watching out for irregular system behaviour
supervising changes in software, hardware, and user needs
leading incident response activities
leading investigations into how breaches happen
reporting findings to management
helping plan an organization’s information security strategy
educating staff members on information security through training and awareness
recommending modifications in legal, technical and regulatory areas

How can I improve my computer troubleshooting skills?

4 Tips to Strengthen Your Troubleshooting Skills

1. What's wrong? It's nearly impossible to properly fix a problem if you cannot see the problem, especially with computers. ...
2. Keep it simple, stupid! No, I'm not calling you stupid … ...
3. Practice, practice, practice. ...
4. “I don't know” ...
5. Vendor documentation. ...
6. Ask your peers. ...
7. Search Google, check out message boards. ...
8. Related courses.

With technology becoming more and more prevalent in the workplace, it’s more important than ever to have basic computer hardware and software skills. An employer will be looking for computer skills on your resume, and you need to be able to walk the walk in addition to talk to the talk—meaning that you need to be able to know how to use a computer when you’re on the job.

Here are 5 free and easy way to improve your computer skills.

Short on time? Jump down to see some free courses, so you can start learning for free today!

1. Identify what you need to learn.

Most likely, you only have so much free time that you can dedicate to learning a new skill. Accordingly, it’s important to use that time wisely. Whether you’re looking to pivot your career or level up within your current field, analyzing the job description of your ideal position is a great way to identify what skills employers are looking for, as well as the tools you should know how to use. The “Requirements” section of a job description is generally a good place to find this information.

Networking is another great way to discover what technical skills other people in your field have, or what software and apps they use on a day-to-day basis. This can be accomplished with a simple question, such as “Have you learned any new skills lately that have helped you in your job?,” or “What’s your favorite software or app that use regularly for work?”

In addition, you can also find much of this information online. If you are a customer service representative, for example, you might search for “customer service software.” Keep an eye out for the specific products that appear in your results. Capterra, a software review company, is another helpful resource for identifying common tools in your trade.

Not sure where to start? The specific skills you need are highly dependent on your position and your field, but you can familiarize yourself with this list of top computer skills to start out. Also review some of the best skills to include on your resume.

2. Start with the basics—and ensure you know how to use a computer.

While this goes without saying, before you learn any specialized technical skills, at the very least you need a fundamental understanding of how to use a computer—ideally, both a Windows or Mac. There are many free resources online. Sites like Lifewire, for example, are very helpful in providing comprehensive tutorials.

These days, it’s pretty common to find free (or affordable) computer training events. Check with your local library, community center or community college to see what they have to offer. In addition, you can take free Mac courses at an Apple store near you.

If you’re working in an office role, consider getting certified in Microsoft Office to improve your skills and add value to your resume.

3. Familiarize yourself with an understanding of how computers (and the Internet) work.

While this goes without saying, before you learn any specialized technical skills, at the very least you need a fundamental understanding of what a computer it is and how it works. In some cases, it can be helpful to learn how the Internet works, too.

Now, do you need master computer science? Absolutely not. But, having an elementary understanding of how the technology that you use functions provides a strong foundation for future learning. Here is a list of some free online computer skills lessons that you can start with:

• Computer Basics for Absolute Beginners – from GCF Learn Free (Free)
• Internet Basics for Absolute Beginners – from GCF Learn Free (Free)
• Computer Science 101 – from Stanford University  (Free)
• How the Internet Works – from Khan Academy (Free)
• G Suite Training Center (for Google Apps) – from Google (Free)

4. Take a free online or-in person computer course.

There are many free resources available, both offline and online. Be sure to check out offerings in your community, such as at your local library, community center, community college or YMCA. You can also search on sites like Meetup or Eventbrite for educational events or groups. If you live in Los Angeles, New York City or Chicago, CourseHorse is another excellent resource.

If you’d rather learn tech skills for free online, there are plenty of ways to do so! You should be able to search on YouTube for pretty much anything you want to know. If you’re looking for a more formal learning experience, you can find tons of free college-level courses online on sites like Coursera, EdX and Class-Central. You can also find free, introductory courses on sites like Khan Academy, Codecademy, and Free Code Camp.

Tip: Here’s an extensive list of free and low-cost online computer classes you can take to get started.

5. Apply the knowledge and get hands-on practice.

If a job description requests familiarity with a specific tool, try to see if there’s way to get hands-on experience. For example, say a position requires that you know how to use Trello, a project management tool. You could consider ways you might be able to integrate Trello in your current position. If this is not possible, perhaps there’s a case where you could use it in your personal life—like for planning a trip.

Get as creative as possible. Need to learn how to use Google Calendar? Start using it to plan and schedule your families’ appointments and activities. Need to know how to use Skype? Create an account and use it to make a video call with someone you haven’t talked to in awhile.

Alternately, if you are learning a skill like graphic design, web design or development, there are many ways to practice: you can enter contests on 99Designs, or solicit gigs on Fiverr, for example.

If you need to be familiar with a paid tool or software then you cannot gain access to, look to see if that app offers a demo or has any training videos on its website. At the very least, you’ll have a chance to garner a basic familiarity with the structure and functionality of the software

Remember, you should always be honest with an employer about your skills and abilities. Don’t oversell your skills. If you’re lacking a skill that is listed in the job description, you can always mention that it is something you are currently learning (or intend to learn), and emphasize your ability to pick up new skills quickly.

5 troubleshooting tips for fixing your own computer

The five-step PC Repair And Troubleshooting process consists of the following:

1. Verify that a problem actually exists.
2. Isolate the cause of the problem.
3. Correct the cause of the problem.
4. Verify that the problem has been corrected.
5. Follow up to prevent future problems.

Action Items

Within the four general guidelines previously mentioned, there are several action items that are important to the successful achievement of the goal of troubleshooting:

1. Verify that something is actually wrong.

A problem usually is indicated by a change in equipment performance or product quality. Verification of the problem will either provide you with indications of the cause if a problem actually exists or prevent the troubleshooter from wasting time and effort on "ghost" problems caused by the operator's lack of equipment understanding. Do not simply accept a report that something is wrong without personally verifying the failure. A few minutes invested up front can save a lot of time down the road.

2. Identify and locate the cause of the trouble.

Trouble is often caused by a change in the system. A thorough understanding of the system, its modes of operation, and how the modes of operation are supposed to work, the easier it will be to find the cause of the trouble. This knowledge allows the troubleshooter to compare normal conditions to actual conditions.

3. Correct the problem.

It is very important to correct the cause of the problem, not just the effect or the symptom. This often involves replacing or repairing a part or making adjustments. Never adjust a process or piece of equipment to compensate for a problem and consider the job finished; correct the problem!

4. Verify that the problem has been corrected.

Repeating the same check that originally indicated the problem can often do this. If the fault has been corrected, the system should operate properly.

5. Follow up to prevent further trouble.

Determine the underlying cause of the trouble. Suggest a plan to a supervisor that will prevent a future recurrence of this problem.

This basic troubleshooting philosophy is the basis for the seven-step troubleshooting method discussed later. It reflects the basic strategy for troubleshooting, though each individual facility may require a different application of the strategy specific for the equipment and policies at that facility. An important point to remember as we discuss the seven-step methodology is that we are discussing a philosophy - not a procedure. Using the seven-step philosophy, a procedure could be developed that would provide the most cost-effective and efficient means for troubleshooting a particular piece of equipment in a given facility. However, this procedure would not necessarily be effective when used with different equipment or even the same equipment installed in a different facility.

How do I get better at Troubleshooting?

Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state.

In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms.

A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.

The methods of forensic engineering are useful in tracing problems in products or processes, and a wide range of analytical techniques are available to determine the cause or causes of specific failures. Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failure of a similar kind. Preventive action is possible using failure mode and effects (FMEA) and fault tree analysis (FTA) before full-scale production, and these methods can also be used for failure analysis.

SD-WAN vs. MPLS

The SD-WAN vs. MPLS Debate

Before software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) came along to provide the benefits of software-defined networking (SDN) to traditionally hardware-based networking, there was Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), a protocol for efficient network traffic flow between two or more locations. MPLS operates similarly to switches and routers, sitting between layers 2 and 3. (MPLS is sometimes considered layer 2.5.) It uses packet-forwarding technology and labels to make data forwarding decisions. The label is imposed between the layer 2 (data link) and layer 3 (network) headers.

Here are some of the pros and cons of each technology as we pit SD-WAN vs. MPLS in a battle of network traffic protocols.

MPLS Pros and Cons

When contemplating the “SD-WAN vs. MPLS” question, it is important to consider one of MPLS’s most important aspects: the reliable delivery of packets. MPLS generally offers excellent quality of service when it comes to avoiding packet loss and keeping a business’s most important traffic flowing. This reliability is especially essential to maintain the quality of real-time protocols, such as Voice of IP (VoIP).

MPLS reliability is possible because of the aforementioned label, which virtually isolates packets. MPLS providers can also assign a higher priority to certain network traffic. These benefits bring a sense of traffic predictability within the network. Network paths are predetermined, so packets travel only along the paths to which they’re directed.

One downside of MPLS is bandwidth cost. Today’s consumers are increasingly interested in bandwidth-hogging multimedia content such as videos and augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR), and the high per-megabit cost that MPLS demands can be out of reach. Finally, an MPLS network doesn’t offer built-in data protection, and if incorrectly implemented, it can open the network to vulnerabilities.

SD-WAN Pros and Cons

Continuing the SD-WAN vs. MPLS discussion, SD-WAN offers several benefits over traditional MPLS networks. The core value proposition of SD-WAN is that it promises to dramatically impact the entire enterprise networking ecosystem. With SD-WAN, geographic boundaries are erased, and key benefits such as visibility, scalability, performance, and control are enhanced.

Unlike MPLS, SD-WAN comes with no bandwidth penalties. Customers can upgrade easily by adding new links, with no changes necessary to the infrastructure or network. Perhaps the greatest selling point for SD-WAN is the ability to cost-effectively mix and match network links according to content type or priority. Both Internet broadband and 4G LTE are less expensive than MPLS, so customers can choose those links instead of the expensive MPLS network for certain types of lower-priority traffic.

Arguably the primary advantage of SD-WAN is security. Today’s companies prefer network architectures that integrate security, policy, and orchestration, and SD-WAN covers those bases by unifying secure connectivity. In the SD-WAN architecture, a company benefits from end-to-end encryption across the entire network, including the Internet. All devices and endpoints are completely authenticated, thanks to a scalable key-exchange functionality and software-defined security.

SD-WAN vs. MPLS: It’s Up to You

The benefits of SD-WAN are hard to deny, from cost to agility/flexibility to ease of use/deployment to increased security. According to IDC, increasing numbers of service providers are adopting SD-WAN for a variety of reasons. However, private-based networking such as MPLS will always be in demand, particularly in businesses or institutions that have specific connectivity requirements. When companies ask the question “SD-WAN vs. MPLS?” they need to weigh the pros and cons and ask themselves which needs are paramount in their environment.

What is Wan Optimization ?

To function properly, most cloud based applications need good bandwidth and low latency and in large-scale WAN deployments, latency, bandwidth constraints, and packet loss are inevitable.  SDWAN promises to overcome application performance bottlenecks associated with network architectures that were designed for data center, not cloud-based, applications, but is SDWAN  always enough?

It’s true that Cisco SDWAN provides WAN optimization with Intent-based dynamic path control to optimize network and application performance by selecting the most efficient WAN links on an application-by-application basis helping to avoid latency and bottleneck concerns, but SDWAN cannot overcome the inevitable issues caused by latency and geographic distances.  To ensure user quality of experience and productivity, WAN optimization and application acceleration remain important features to both enterprise and service provider customers.

Cisco WAN Optimization

Cisco SDWANOptimize your WAN traffic by dynamically selecting the most efficient WAN links that meet your service level requirements (ie: MPLS, 4G/LTE, broadband etc)

Cisco WAASCisco WAAS delivers next generation WAN optimization and application acceleration and helps businesses deliver high-quality digital experiences.

Cisco WAAS in the cloud· Accelerate business SaaS and IaaS applications delivered from private and virtual private cloud infrastructures
· WAAS in Azure; as part of Office 365 support, and as an end-to-end solution with enterprise branch offices.
· Additional cloud providers coming soon