TECH CHATTING: WHAT DOES A SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR DO?

Rafael has one of the most important roles in the tech world - ensuring the “effective configuration and maintenance of systems” - and he’s here to tell us all about it. From guaranteeing the security of systems to continually updating them, our Systems Administrator does it all.

If you ask about his mission (for those who know little or nothing about this), he explains that it involves implementing “measures such as firewalls, antivirus software, strong password policies”, as well as applying patches and updates. In our world, he’s basically the character who keeps the villains (aka hackers) from invading your home – but this is just a small part of it.

After all, no one can manage such a complex and detailed system without being equipped with the necessary foundations. That’s why Rafael believes that the company has the responsibility to provide support through a strong infrastructure: “The company must provide an adequate infrastructure by investing in quality hardware and software that is robust and up-to-date, to guarantee an efficient and safe working environment. Besides, it should offer opportunities for training and continuous development.” (and we do, I mean, have you seen our training program?)

Since his work involves establishing several points of contact, the Systems Administrator adds that the workplace must “promote a culture of open and collaborative communication between teams”, without forgetting the “balance between personal and professional life.”

Over the course of his 18-year career, he has managed at least 12 operating systems. Now, he takes stock of the biggest challenges in his day-to-day work: updating, migrating and implementing new systems that are critical to the client’s business and integrating new technologies into existing systems. The “high-demand periods”, like the launch of major campaigns, are also quite challenging since “the pressure to keep all systems running smoothly is enormous” and requires constant monitoring and adjustments. But at the end of the day, there are no challenges he can’t overcome.

Anyway, enough about the challenges. Let’s talk about the best part of his job and what has kept him doing it for almost two decades (just two more years to go!). When asked what he enjoys most about his job, Rafael has the answer on the tip of his tongue: “the opportunity to make a difference”. Ok, but what does this mean? It means that, for him, “the ability to diagnose and fix problems quickly is extremely gratifying and I love this feeling. I also enjoy working together with different teams and collaborating to achieve a common goal.”

The job of a Systems Administrator goes far beyond technology - it’s about ensuring that everything works seamlessly so that others can thrive. For Rafael, this role offers the opportunity to make a difference and it’s this sense of impact and fulfilment that makes the profession so rewarding and essential.