System Maintenance: Installing, configuring, and updating operating systems (Windows, Linux) and hardware. User Management: Managing permissions and accounts via Active Directory or cloud identity providers (like Okta or Azure AD). Data Protection: Implementing and testing robust backup and disaster recovery solutions. Security: Patching vulnerabilities, managing firewalls, and monitoring systems for suspicious activity. Cloud/ Virtual Administration: Managing virtual environments in VMWare and Azure. Automation: Writing scripts (PowerShell, Bash) to automate repetitive tasks like software deployment. Work as onsite contact with Database, Network, and process control teams. Communication: Explaining complex technical issues to non-technical staff or stakeholders. Must Have. Windows = Knowledge of Active Directory (AD), Group Policy Objects (GPOs), PowerShell, and core Windows services (DHCP, DNS), Files Shares/ SMB, Event Logs Research. Linux = command line (CLI), user management, permissions, and package managers (yum, dnf, apt). Red Hat (RHEL) and Ubuntu Server are industry standards. Virtualization: Creating and managing virtual machines (V - Ms) using platforms like VMware v. Sphere/ ESXi or Microsoft Hyper-V.Networking = A solid grasp of the TCP/ IP stack, routing, switching, subnets, firewalls, DNS, SSL/ TLS, Certificates, VPN, White. List/ Black. List. System Monitoring: Using tools like Nagios, Zabbix, Datadog, or Prometheus to spot performance bottlenecks or hardware failures before users notice. Backup Strategy: Implementing and testing regular backups (following the 3-2-1 backup rule), DR, RPO, RTO Nice to Have. Cloud Computing: Administering cloud infrastructure, primarily in AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Scripting Languages: Proficiency in PowerShell (for Windows) or Bash (for Linux). Learning Python is highly recommended for cross-platform automation.