Many companies are switching their IT needs to cloud computing because of its efficiency and cost savings. Becoming a cloud systems administrator allows you to be on the leading edge of systems technology in heavily virtualized environments, in an IT niche that will grow as more small and mid-sized companies outsource IT departments. Cloud computing offers infrastructure, platforms, and software as a service, so administrating these systems is a novel challenge. Suppose you have a knack for constructing problem-solving and communicating complex things in everyday language. In that case, a career as a cloud systems administrator may be right for you.
What is a cloud systems administrator?
A cloud systems administrator develops, maintains, and troubleshoots the network connections of cloud computing resources.
Job duties may include the following:
- Administrating the cloud system through patches, permissions, and service deployments
- Monitoring and analyzing network performance to match on-demand requests
- Defining and implementing policies for cloud-based systems
- Establishing connections to and from various cloud network types and managing firewalls
- Clearly communicating with IT and non-IT professionals to ensure effective use of all services
A cloud systems administrator ensures seamless delivery of all cloud services to clients and companies, large and small. It’s a multitasking position that requires extensive teamwork with other staff and maintains a wide range of cloud services.
In mid-sized and larger companies, the potential for promotion into a senior cloud systems administrator or cloud engineer position would involve supervising a team of other cloud system administrators or architecting new cloud networks.
Because part of the cloud's promise is scalability, redundancy, and relative ease of access for companies without a dedicated IT team, a cloud systems administrator must have a deep knowledge of virtual machine technologies.
In addition, because cloud computing can involve very different types of platforms and software, a cloud systems administrator must be well-versed in the most popular platforms and software suites used by the average business user.
Cloud system administrators will sometimes work with cloud engineers. While cloud systems administrators typically focus on the day-to-day operational efficiency of cloud services, cloud engineers are more involved in the planning and designing of cloud architectures. Cloud engineers are often considered more senior to cloud systems administrators and could be your next move along the cloud computing career path.
How to become a cloud systems administrator
Most companies hiring a cloud systems administrator require a bachelor’s degree in computer or management information systems, or a closely related field, plus 3 to 5 years’ experience in administration. Sometimes, a master’s degree in computer science is acceptable for someone with less on-the-job experience. Occasionally, an associate’s degree in a related field, or no degree at all, is sufficient, but 7 to 13 years’ experience is required.
Cloud systems administrators often work their way up from a junior cloud systems administrator or more general systems administrator role, perhaps even starting in a help desk role.
Cloud certifications like CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Cloud+ can help you as you become a cloud systems administrator.
Job titles related to cloud systems administrator
- Systems administrator
- Cloud integration specialist
- Network administrator
- IT systems manager
Will your next move be to be a cloud systems administrator? If so, check out CompTIA Cloud+ to get the skills to get you there.