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Network Administrator

Technology

Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.

Computer Science

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
  2. 2Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
  3. 3Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
  4. 4Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.
  5. 5Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use.
  6. 6Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments are needed and where changes will be needed in the future.
  7. 7Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
  8. 8Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement.
  9. 9Implement and provide technical support for voice services and equipment, such as private branch exchange, voice mail system, and telecom system.
  10. 10Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.
  11. 11Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems.
  12. 12Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software.
  13. 13Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records.
  14. 14Load computer tapes and disks, and install software and printer paper or forms.
  15. 15Train people in computer system use.
  16. 16Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records.
  17. 17Gather data pertaining to customer needs, and use the information to identify, predict, interpret, and evaluate system and network requirements.
  18. 18Coordinate with vendors and with company personnel to facilitate purchases.
  19. 19Maintain an inventory of parts for emergency repairs.
  20. 20Research new technologies by attending seminars, reading trade articles, or taking classes, and implement or recommend the implementation of new technologies.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • CCIE
  • CCNP
  • MIS Manager
  • System Admin
  • IT Specialist
  • Systems Admin
  • IS Coordinator
  • LAN Specialist
  • Network Manager
  • IT Administrator

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. 3

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. Typical entry

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationBachelor's degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
PhysicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Computers and Electronics98%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • English Language77%

    English

  • Customer and Personal Service73%
  • Engineering and Technology72%

    PhysicsAdditional MathematicsDesign & Technology (RBT)

  • Telecommunications64%

    Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesComputer Science / ICT

  • Mathematics64%

    Additional MathematicsMathematics

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicNot at all
  • Leading or coordinating othersA little
  • Handling conflict situationsRarely
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
  • Noisy environmentEvery day

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

16%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

0.16%

Of Malaysian Claude conversations, about this kind of work

Measures how much people use Claude for this work, not how many Malaysians do this job — and more AI use can mean people relying on it, not that it's replacing them.

On Malaysia's official shortage list

TalentCorp and ILMIA's Critical Occupations List — evidence of a real hiring shortage in Malaysia right now.

Information Technology System Administrators · Shortage indicators met: 6/12

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
See pay for a related career: Cybersecurity Analyst

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

Related careers

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org

Programmes that lead here

Programmes from the official UPU (KPT) and MQA catalogues whose field of study typically leads to this career. Matched by field, not a job guarantee.

Public universities (UPU)

Private institutions (MQA-accredited)

Search the programme catalogue