System Administrator
Collection
System Administrators are responsible for managing, maintaining, and securing an organization’s computer systems, networks, and servers. This collection is the perfect starting point for professionals with little background in IT or cybersecurity.
24
H
32
M
Beginner
21
1660
Learners at 96% of Fortune 1000 companies trust Cybrary
.svg){kind=small}
About this Collection
The courses in the System Administrator Collection will help you build a foundation of knowledge and hands-on skills related to network devices and configurations, maintaining business systems, and leveraging security tools. These skills can start your journey toward your first IT position or prepare you for further industry training and certifications.
Our courses feature thoughtful, bite-sized content from expert instructors who have helped thousands of other beginners grasp fundamental IT and cybersecurity topics. Topics include network architecture, firewalls, secure data storage, and more.
Skills you'll gain
Path Outline
Collection Outline
Coming Soon
The Leadership and Management Career Path is expected to release in Q2 of 2025. Sign up now to explore our other leadership courses and content.
Start Learning for FreeLearn
Learn core concepts and get hands-on with key skills.
PowerShell for Security Professionals
VMware Foundations
Hyper-V
Microsoft Hyper-V is a technology that allows you to create virtual environments like operating systems, virtual servers, and virtual components like hard drives and network switches. In this Hyper-V training, you’ll learn how to build, configure, and understand virtual machines in both the server and client environments.
Configure Windows Defender on a Windows System
This IT Pro Challenge helps learners understand how Microsoft Windows Defender works. Participants will learn how to configure Windows Defender to create an exclusion, how to verify that exclusion, and how to work with Windows Defender to prevent the installation of malicious software.
Threat Modeling
In this hands-on lab, you will learn the basics of Threat Modeling. You will create a basic Threat Model for a web application, identify and and analyze threats to the application using a common threat methodology, and determine mitigations for the application.
Secure Network Architecture
In this hands-on lab, you will learn the basics of creating a secure network architecture. You will practice evaluating and modifying a network in the GNS3 network simulator.
Next-Gen Firewalls
In this hands-on lab, you will be introduced to the product category known as Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW). You will practice installing the Zenarmor NGFW on a pfSense firewall and configuring different application-level controls.
SOAR
In this hands-on lab, you will learn the basics of Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR). You will practice integrating multiple security tools and creating automation playbooks for common actions.
API Security
In this hands-on lab, you will learn the basics of API Security. You will practice identifying vulnerabilities in API endpoints using OWASP ZAP and Postman.
Secure Data Storage and Transmission
In this hands-on lab, you will learn about securing data at rest and in transit using encryption and other security measures. You will practice securing a MariaDB database and applying OpenSSH to RDP administration.
Data Masking
In this hands-on lab, you will learn about data masking as a data obfuscation technique. You will practice using data masking tools to protect sensitive information by creating a copy of a production database and masking its data using DataVeil.
File Integrity Monitoring
In this hands-on lab, you will the basics of file integrity monitoring. You will practice implementing file integrity monitoring on Windows using both WinFM.NET and Wazuh.
Practice
Exercise your problem-solving and creative thinking skills with security-centric puzzles
Prove
Assess your knowledge and skills to identify areas for improvement and measure your growth
Train Your Team
Cybrary’s expert-led cybersecurity courses help your team remediate skill gaps and get up-to-date on certifications. Utilize Cybrary to stay ahead of emerging threats and provide team members with clarity on how to learn, grow, and advance their careers within your organization.
Instructors
Instructors
Get Hands-on Learning
Put your skills to the test in virtual labs, challenges, and simulated environments.
Measure Your Progress
Track your skills development from lesson to lesson using the Cybrary Skills Tracker.
.png)
Connect with the Community
Connect with peers and mentors through our supportive community of cybersecurity professionals.
Success from Our Learners
Frequently Asked Questions
This collection is for learners with minimal background in IT or cybersecurity who are interested in beginning their career in this exciting field or transitioning into IT or cybersecurity from another field. It has no prerequisites; however, the CompTIA IT Fundamentals course or IT and Cybersecurity Foundations career path would be helpful to tackle some of the more advanced concepts.
A system administrator is the first point-of-contact for a company’s network users when they have technical issues. Some key responsibilities and job requirements include:
- User support and troubleshooting
- System maintenance
- Network and server maintenance
- Security and access control
- Backup and incident recovery
- Performance monitoring
Modern businesses rely heavily on technology to operate and communicate, and SysAdmins play a crucial role in keeping IT operations running smoothly within an organization. System administrators manage and maintain servers, networks, and software, keeping systems secure, efficient, and up-to-date.
A career in system administration can lead to a variety of IT and cybersecurity roles, depending on experience and specialization. Entry-level and early-career roles include IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, Network Administrator, or System Administrator. From there, your career could take you anywhere, into IT management, cybersecurity, cloud engineering, DevOps, and more.
