System Administrator Standards

Definition

A systems administrator is a member of the university community who is responsible for system and network support of computing resources in a local, departmental or enterprise environment. This could be a single person or a shared responsibility among several individuals. The title of this person varies by department. The systems administrator acts as the primary contact person in case of a security event.

Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to outline required procedures for systems administrators.

Scope

The scope covers systems administrators managing systems in one or more of the following categories.

Systems storing

WPI confidential information
Governmentally regulated information
WPI intellectual property
Information covered under any executed non-disclosure agreement

IT supported administrative and academic computers
Computers in WPI laboratories
Systems connected to the WPI network (except student-owned machines)

Standard

WPI systems administrators:

Adhere to the WPI Acceptable Use Policy and the Code of Conduct for IT Administrators.
Provide, maintain and secure systems.
Possess and maintain current knowledge and skills for administered platforms
Provide back-up and recovery for critical data, specifically:

Creating, maintaining and adhering to an approved backup schedule
Ensuring that the previous backup was successful
Providing for a reasonable tape rotation schedule and changing tapes accordingly
Cataloging, clearly marking, and storing tapes in an appropriate "safe place" or off-site
Replacing tape media according to the backup schedule and media manufacturer recommendations

Define account creation and removal procedures
Provide support to end-users directly and via the Helpdesk
Change Management

Document changes via software or other means
Require supervisory sign-off for changes that affect the infrastructure or secure data of the university

Initiate an investigation of any suspected security breach according to the IT Incident Response Standard.

Revision History:

The Information Technology Division endorsed this standard in February 2007.
The faculty Committee on IT Policy endorsed this standard on April 15, 2008.

Maintained by itweb
Last modified: May 13, 2008, 17:17 UTC