Specialist - IT Security and System Administration

Role Purpose:
To administer and support key infrastructure and security technologies, including Oracle/Microsoft/Open-Source Databases, Cloud Services (Oracle, Microsoft Iaas/Paas), Servers and Storage Services, in accordance with EMARAT’s policies, processes, and standard operating procedures.

Responsibilities:

Plan, Design & Implement

• Plans, designs, and implements server and database management infrastructure based on EMARAT’s operating system.
• Analyses new IT technologies and trends by conducting proof of concepts and prepares reports for upper management to make informed decisions.
• Liaise with Storage, Networking, Desktop, and Application support team as required to ensure the system is live and operational

Administration & Operational Support

• Provides technical support for Oracle/Microsoft/Opensource databases and Cloud Services (IaaS/Paas) under the assigned area of work, ensuring that the system runs smoothly by providing enough data space
• Attends to operational support faults and requests as per approved service level agreements, keeps the system up-to-date, and eliminates old bugs
• Provide 2nd-level technical support to the helpdesk and other technical areas
• Documents systems, developments, procedures, and standards
• Works within and helps develop the ITIL best practice framework for service delivery.
• Escalates system deficiencies and hardware problems to suppliers and supervisors; liaises with external support vendors as required.
• Ensure systems are secure by performing regular patch management, access reviews, and following the zero trust principles.
• Continuously monitor IT systems for security breaches and vulnerabilities using security tools and software.
• Adapt security protocols and configurations based on emerging threats and vulnerabilities to ensure the protection of sensitive data and systems.
• Perform regular audits of IT systems to assess compliance with security policies and standards.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments to identify weaknesses in systems and applications and recommend remediation strategies to mitigate risks.
• Assist in the configuration of operating systems and security applications to ensure they are set up according to organizational security standards.
• Participate in patch management processes by obtaining, testing, and applying updates to operating systems and applications to protect against known vulnerabilities.
• Organize and maintain security logs, ensuring that all security-related events are documented accurately for future reference and analysis.
• Manage incident reports related to security breaches or system failures, ensuring that they are investigated thoroughly and resolved on time.
• Serve as the first point of contact for security incidents, providing initial troubleshooting and support to resolve issues.
• Escalate complex security incidents to the Manager of Database & System Administration or other relevant personnel as needed.
• Collaborate with the IT team to develop and implement security awareness training programs for staff, ensuring that all employees understand their role in maintaining security.
• Assist in training new employees on IT security protocols, best practices, and the proper use of security tools.
• Participate in the development and implementation of incident response plans to ensure a coordinated approach to managing security incidents.
• Assist in conducting tabletop exercises and simulations to test the effectiveness of incident response plans and improve readiness.
• Stay updated on the latest trends in IT security, including emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and best practices.
• Participate in professional development opportunities, such as training sessions and conferences, to enhance knowledge and skills in IT security and system administration.
• Ensure compliance with established IT security policies and procedures.
• Participate in the development of best practices for IT security and system administration.
• Assist in the development and implementation of IT security strategies and policies.
• Participate in the planning and execution of security-related projects and system administration tasks.
• To support the Manager of Database & System Administration in ensuring the security and integrity of IT systems, managing system administration tasks, and maintaining the overall security posture of the organization.

Project Management:

• Support project managers in planning and designing infrastructure requirements.
• Contribute to developing project scope, timelines, and resource allocation projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Assist in conducting feasibility studies and providing technical input during the project planning phase.
• Work closely with vendors and internal teams to ensure proper delivery and installation of hardware and software components.
• Ensure that all configuration changes are thoroughly tested and comply with security and performance standards before deployment.
• Provide regular updates on project tasks, milestones, and challenges to the project manager and relevant stakeholders.
• Assist in maintaining detailed documentation of all project-related network configurations, topologies, and system changes.
• Provide ongoing support after the completion of network projects, including monitoring the new configurations and responding to any issues that may arise.

Knowledge:

• Expertise in Microsoft/Oracle Databases, Cloud Services (IaaS/PaaS), IBM AIX/Microsoft Windows/Linux Servers.
• Experience working in high-performance stretched clusters and virtualization technologies (Power, VMware).
• Strong understanding of the zero-trust security model, patch management, vulnerability scanning, and disaster recovery.
• Skilled in diagnosing and resolving system performance issues using diagnostic tools.
• Ability to document system configurations and follow ITIL best practices for service management.
• Experience supporting infrastructure projects, including resource allocation, timeline management, and vendor coordination.
• Familiar with cybersecurity principles such as zero trust, in-depth defence, etc.
• Ability to coordinate with vendors for hardware/software installations and support.
• Knowledge of industry regulations and standards to ensure system security and compliance.

Competencies:

• Technical Proficiency: Strong skills in Microsoft SQL/Oracle DB, and Oracle Cloud Services (IaaS/PaaS).
• System Optimization: Expertise in troubleshooting, performance tuning, and ensuring high system availability.
• Project Collaboration: Effective in supporting project teams, contributing to project scope, timelines, and resource management for infrastructure projects.
• Documentation & Best Practices: Skilled in maintaining accurate system documentation and adhering to ITIL best practices for service management.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Management Information Systems, or equivalent industry experience.
• One or more current IT professional certifications from vendors such as IBM, VMware, Veeam, Microsoft, etc.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience working with the installation, configuration, and management of databases, cloud services from Oracle and Microsoft infrastructure technologies.

Professional Certifications:
Candidates must hold relevant certifications such as Oracle OCI OCP (IaaS/DBCS/PaaS), Microsoft SQL Server certifications (MCSE / MCSA), Additional credentials in ITIL, Linux, or Cloud platforms (Azure/AWS) will be considered an advantage.