Top 12 IT & Network Administration Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, possessing a robust set of IT and network administration skills has never been more critical for professionals aiming to stand out in the competitive job market. Highlighting these essential skills on your resume can significantly increase your chances of landing your dream role in the tech industry, demonstrating your ability to manage and secure complex network infrastructures efficiently.

IT & Network Administration Skills

1. Cisco Networking
2. VMware ESXi
3. Active Directory
4. PowerShell Scripting
5. Linux Administration
6. AWS Cloud
7. Microsoft 365
8. Firewall Management
9. Python Scripting
10. Network Security
11. Docker Containers
12. SQL Databases

1. Cisco Networking

Cisco Networking refers to the design, implementation, management, and maintenance of computer networks using products, technologies, and services developed by Cisco Systems. This encompasses routers, switches, security devices, and software solutions to enable communication and resource sharing among devices within an organization's IT infrastructure.

Why It's Important

Cisco Networking is crucial for IT & Network Administration because it provides a robust, scalable, and secure foundation for managing data, voice, and video traffic across diverse networks, ensuring efficient communication and operations in organizations.

How to Improve Cisco Networking Skills

To improve Cisco Networking as an IT & Network Administrator, focus on the following concise strategies:

1. Stay Updated: Regularly update your knowledge with the latest Cisco technologies and solutions through the Cisco Learning Network.

2. Cisco Certifications: Earn Cisco Certifications like CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE to validate your skills and understanding of complex network solutions.

3. Utilize Cisco Tools: Leverage Cisco's network management tools for efficient network monitoring, management, and optimization.

4. Network Security: Enhance network security by implementing Cisco's security solutions and best practices to protect against threats.

5. Automation and Orchestration: Adopt Cisco's network automation tools to streamline operations, reduce errors, and improve efficiency.

6. Engage with Community: Join the Cisco Community to share knowledge, ask questions, and connect with experts worldwide.

7. Hands-on Practice: Utilize Cisco Packet Tracer or build a lab for practical experience with Cisco devices and configurations.

8. Technical Support and Documentation: Access Cisco's technical support and comprehensive documentation for troubleshooting and learning.

By integrating these strategies, you can significantly improve your Cisco networking skills and contribute more effectively to your organization's IT and network administration.

How to Display Cisco Networking Skills on Your Resume

2. VMware ESXi

VMware ESXi is a bare-metal hypervisor that installs directly on physical servers to consolidate hardware and manage multiple virtual machines (VMs) from a single physical device, allowing for efficient resource management and network administration in IT environments.

Why It's Important

VMware ESXi is crucial in IT & Network Administration for its ability to consolidate hardware resources, enabling multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical server, thereby optimizing infrastructure efficiency, reducing costs, and simplifying management and deployment of applications and services.

How to Improve VMware ESXi Skills

Improving VMware ESXi for optimal performance and efficiency in IT & Network Administration involves several key steps. Here's a very short and concise guide:

1. Update ESXi: Regularly update ESXi to the latest version to leverage new features, security patches, and performance improvements.

2. Optimize Storage: Use VMFS volumes and adapt storage settings for your workload to improve access speed and reduce latency.

3. Configure Networking: Optimize network settings for performance, using features like NIC teaming for redundancy and load balancing.

4. Enable DRS and HA: Implement Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) for load balancing and High Availability (HA) for fault tolerance.

5. Monitor Performance: Regularly monitor system performance through VMware vCenter and react to alerts and metrics to adjust resources as needed.

6. Security Practices: Follow best security practices, like changing default passwords, applying security patches, and configuring firewalls.

7. Resource Management: Fine-tune VMs’ CPU and memory allocations based on their workload requirements to prevent resource contention.

By following these steps and keeping abreast of the latest VMware technologies and best practices, you can significantly improve the performance, reliability, and security of your VMware ESXi environment.

How to Display VMware ESXi Skills on Your Resume

3. Active Directory

Active Directory (AD) is a directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It stores information about objects on the network and makes this information easy for administrators and users to find and use. AD is used for centralized domain management, including user and resource management, authentication, and authorization.

Why It's Important

Active Directory (AD) is crucial for IT and Network Administration because it provides a centralized platform for managing and securing network resources, user accounts, and access permissions, ensuring efficient organization and control within an enterprise network environment.

How to Improve Active Directory Skills

Improving Active Directory (AD) involves enhancing security, performance, and manageability. Here are concise strategies:

1. Regular Audits and Cleanups: Regularly audit AD for inactive accounts, outdated groups, and permissions. Use tools like AD Tidy for cleanup.

2. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enhance security by implementing MFA. Microsoft provides guidance on setting up MFA.

3. Use Group Policy Objects (GPOs) Wisely: Optimize and regularly review GPOs for performance and security. Microsoft's Group Policy documentation offers best practices.

4. Monitor and Alert: Use AD monitoring tools for real-time alerts on suspicious activities. Tools like ManageEngine ADAudit Plus can help.

5. Implement Least Privilege Access: Ensure users have only the access they need. Microsoft's guide on implementing least privilege provides strategies.

6. Regular Backups and Disaster Recovery Plan: Ensure you have a robust backup and disaster recovery plan. Microsoft's AD backup and recovery guidance outlines best practices.

7. Educate Users: Educate users on security practices to prevent phishing and other attacks that could compromise AD.

8. Keep AD and Servers Updated: Regularly update AD and server software to protect against vulnerabilities. Use the Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) for management.

Enhancing Active Directory is crucial for security, performance, and efficiency in IT & Network Administration. Implementing these strategies systematically can significantly improve your AD environment.

How to Display Active Directory Skills on Your Resume

4. PowerShell Scripting

PowerShell scripting is a task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language. For IT & Network Administration, it enables administrators to automate complex, repetitive, and time-consuming operations across Windows environments and networked devices, thereby streamlining system management, network configuration, and data processing tasks.

Why It's Important

PowerShell scripting is crucial for IT and Network Administration because it enables the automation of repetitive tasks, streamlines system management across different platforms, and facilitates the efficient handling and manipulation of data, significantly enhancing productivity and system reliability.

How to Improve PowerShell Scripting Skills

Improving PowerShell scripting, especially for IT and Network Administration, involves a mix of understanding core concepts, practicing coding techniques, and utilizing resources effectively. Here's a very short and concise guide:

1. Understand Core Concepts: Grasp the basics of PowerShell, including its cmdlets, scripting syntax, and the pipeline. Microsoft's PowerShell Documentation is an excellent starting point.

2. Learn Best Practices: Adopt coding standards and best practices for more readable, maintainable, and efficient scripts. The PowerShell Best Practices and Style Guide provides insights into writing better scripts.

3. Utilize Modules for Network Administration: Leverage PowerShell modules specifically designed for network tasks, such as NetTCPIP, NetAdapter, or third-party modules. Explore available modules on the PowerShell Gallery.

4. Automate Repetitive Tasks: Identify and automate repetitive system administration tasks. This automation guide from Microsoft can help you get started.

5. Practice Scripting Regularly: Apply your knowledge by solving real-world problems. Platforms like GitHub offer a plethora of PowerShell projects where you can contribute and learn from the community.

6. Stay Updated and Keep Learning: PowerShell is continuously evolving. Stay updated with the latest features and improvements through the Official PowerShell Blog.

7. Join PowerShell Communities: Engage with PowerShell communities on Reddit or Stack Overflow to get help, share knowledge, and learn from experts.

By focusing on these key areas and making use of the provided resources, you can significantly improve your PowerShell scripting skills in the context of IT and Network Administration.

How to Display PowerShell Scripting Skills on Your Resume

5. Linux Administration

Linux Administration involves managing and maintaining Linux operating systems in IT environments. It includes tasks such as installing, configuring, updating, and securing Linux servers and desktops to ensure optimal performance and network reliability.

Why It's Important

Linux Administration is crucial in IT & Network Administration because it ensures the efficient operation, security, and maintenance of servers and networks that run on Linux, which is widely used due to its robustness, flexibility, and open-source nature. This skill is vital for managing the backbone of many IT infrastructures, supporting web services, applications, and databases essential for business operations.

How to Improve Linux Administration Skills

Improving Linux administration skills in the context of IT & Network Administration requires a focused approach on foundational knowledge, practical experience, and continuous learning. Here's a concise guide:

1. Foundational Knowledge: Start with understanding the basics of Linux operations, including the file system hierarchy, command-line utilities, and system configuration. The Linux Documentation Project provides a wealth of resources.

2. Practical Experience: Hands-on experience is crucial. Set up your own Linux servers and experiment with network configurations, system administration tasks, and security implementations. Using virtualization platforms like VirtualBox or VMware can provide a safe environment for experimentation.

3. Networking Basics: Focus on mastering network administration basics under Linux, such as configuring network interfaces, firewall settings using iptables or nftables, and managing DNS settings. The Linux Foundation’s Networking Overview is a great starting point.

4. Security Practices: Enhance your knowledge of Linux security mechanisms, including SELinux, system hardening, and vulnerability scanning. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) offers benchmarks and guidelines for securing Linux systems.

5. Automation and Scripting: Learn shell scripting and automation tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef to streamline administration tasks. The Ansible Documentation is an excellent resource for getting started with automation.

6. Continuous Learning: The Linux ecosystem evolves rapidly. Engage with communities, subscribe to forums like Stack Exchange’s Linux & Unix section, and explore courses on platforms like edX or Coursera that offer Linux and network administration topics.

7. Certification: Consider obtaining professional certifications such as CompTIA Linux+ or Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) to validate your skills and knowledge.

By combining these elements, you can systematically improve your Linux administration skills, ensuring you are well-equipped to manage IT and network environments effectively.

How to Display Linux Administration Skills on Your Resume

6. AWS Cloud

AWS Cloud is a comprehensive, evolving cloud computing platform provided by Amazon that includes a mix of infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and packaged software as a service (SaaS) offerings. It enables IT and network administrators to deploy, manage, and scale applications and services with a vast array of tools and services for computing, storage, networking, database, analytics, and more, on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Why It's Important

AWS Cloud is crucial for IT & Network Administration because it offers scalable, reliable, and secure computing resources and services, enabling efficient management of infrastructure, applications, and data storage, while reducing hardware costs and operational overhead.

How to Improve AWS Cloud Skills

Improving AWS Cloud infrastructure for IT and Network Administration involves optimizing performance, enhancing security, and managing costs effectively. Here are concise strategies:

1. Optimize Performance:

   • Utilize AWS Trusted Advisor for real-time optimization recommendations.
   • Implement Amazon CloudFront for content delivery to reduce latency.
   • Use Amazon RDS for managed database services to improve scalability and performance.

2. Enhance Security:

   • Implement AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) to control user access to AWS services.
   • Utilize Amazon VPC to create a secured network space.
   • Apply AWS Shield for DDoS protection and AWS WAF for web application firewall services.

3. Cost Management:

   • Use AWS Cost Explorer to visualize and manage AWS spending.
   • Implement Auto Scaling to adjust resources automatically and control costs.
   • Employ Amazon S3 Intelligent-Tiering for optimizing storage costs.

For in-depth guidance and best practices, refer to the AWS Well-Architected Framework, which provides strategies to help you understand the pros and cons of decisions you make while building systems on AWS.

How to Display AWS Cloud Skills on Your Resume

7. Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service offering access to a suite of Office applications, cloud services like OneDrive and Teams, and advanced security features, tailored for seamless collaboration, communication, and administration within organizations.

Why It's Important

Microsoft 365 is crucial for IT & Network Administration because it offers a comprehensive suite of productivity tools and services including email, collaboration, and security features, facilitating seamless communication, data management, and robust cybersecurity across an organization's IT infrastructure.

How to Improve Microsoft 365 Skills

Improving Microsoft 365 for IT & Network Administration involves focusing on security, management, and optimization. Here's how:

1. Enhance Security: Implement Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) to safeguard against sophisticated threats. Utilize Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for added security layer.

2. Optimize Administration: Use Microsoft 365 Admin Center for centralized management. Automate tasks with PowerShell scripts for efficiency.

3. Data Loss Prevention: Implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies to protect sensitive information from being accidentally shared.

4. Monitor and Report: Leverage Microsoft 365 analytics for insights on usage patterns and potential security risks.

5. Training and Support: Provide ongoing training for staff on new features and best practices, enhancing overall productivity and security.

By focusing on these areas, IT & Network Administration can significantly improve the efficiency, security, and usability of Microsoft 365 within their organization.

How to Display Microsoft 365 Skills on Your Resume

8. Firewall Management

Firewall management involves the process of configuring, maintaining, and monitoring firewalls to protect an organization's IT infrastructure from unauthorized access, cyber threats, and to enforce network security policies. It includes tasks such as setting firewall rules, updating firmware, and reviewing logs to ensure network integrity and compliance.

Why It's Important

Firewall management is crucial in IT & Network Administration to ensure network security by regulating inbound and outbound traffic, preventing unauthorized access, and mitigating cyber threats, thereby safeguarding data and resources.

How to Improve Firewall Management Skills

Improving firewall management in the context of IT & Network Administration involves several key practices aimed at enhancing security, performance, and compliance. Here's a short and concise guide:

1. Regular Updates and Patches: Ensure your firewall firmware and software are up-to-date to protect against the latest vulnerabilities. Cisco's Guide on Software Updates offers insights on keeping devices current.

2. Policy Review and Cleanup: Periodically review and prune outdated or unnecessary rules to maintain optimal performance and security. The SANS Institute provides a Firewall Checklist for effective policy management.

3. Secure Configuration: Adhere to the principle of least privilege and disable default passwords or unnecessary services. NIST's Guidelines on Firewalls and Firewall Policy detail secure configuration practices.

4. Network Segmentation: Divide your network into segments to contain potential breaches and simplify policy enforcement. Palo Alto Networks explains Network Segmentation in more detail.

5. Continuous Monitoring and Logging: Implement continuous monitoring and keep logs of traffic and rule changes for anomaly detection and compliance. LogRhythm discusses the Importance of Firewall Log Monitoring.

6. Regular Audits and Compliance Checks: Conduct regular audits against industry standards and compliance requirements to ensure firewall configurations meet security policies. ISACA offers a guide on Auditing Firewalls.

7. Automation and Integration: Use automation tools for rule implementation and changes to reduce human error and integrate firewalls with other security systems for a unified security posture. Check Point highlights the Benefits of Security Policy Automation.

8. User Training and Awareness: Educate users about the importance of firewall policies and safe internet practices to help prevent security breaches. Infosec Institute's Security Awareness Training includes resources on promoting cybersecurity awareness.

By following these practices, organizations can significantly improve their firewall management, enhancing their overall network security posture.

How to Display Firewall Management Skills on Your Resume

9. Python Scripting

Python scripting in IT & Network Administration involves writing small, executable Python programs (scripts) to automate tasks, manage system operations, and handle network configurations, thereby improving efficiency and reducing manual effort.

Why It's Important

Python scripting is important in IT and Network Administration for automating repetitive tasks, managing system and network configurations, and quickly analyzing and processing data, enhancing efficiency and reducing the potential for human error.

How to Improve Python Scripting Skills

To improve your Python scripting skills, especially for IT & Network Administration, focus on the following key areas:

1. Understand Core Python: Ensure a solid grasp of Python basics. Automate the Boring Stuff with Python is an excellent resource for practical automation tasks.

2. Learn Network Automation: Dive into network automation with Python using libraries like Netmiko and Paramiko. Real Python’s guide to network automation provides a great starting point.

3. Practice Scripting: Work on real-world problems or projects. GitHub hosts a variety of network automation projects that can offer inspiration and practice opportunities.

4. Use Python for System Administration: Explore how to automate system administration tasks. This guide by Python for Beginners outlines some useful scripts.

5. Study Advanced Python Concepts: Once comfortable, progress to more complex topics like asynchronous programming, which is useful for improving the performance of network scripts. The official Python documentation on asyncio is a crucial read.

6. Join Python Communities: Engage with communities on platforms like Stack Overflow or Reddit’s r/Python. They are great for solving specific issues and staying up to date with best practices.

7. Follow Python Blogs and Newsletters: Websites like PyCoder’s Weekly offer curated news, articles, and projects in the Python world, which can be beneficial for continuous learning.

Remember, consistent practice and application of Python in real-world scenarios are key to improving your scripting skills in IT and network administration.

How to Display Python Scripting Skills on Your Resume

10. Network Security

Network security is the practice of implementing measures and protocols to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of computer networks and data from unauthorized access, attacks, or theft.

Why It's Important

Network security is crucial for protecting data integrity, confidentiality, and availability, ensuring that only authorized users have access to sensitive information and systems. It prevents unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyber attacks, safeguarding the organization's assets and reputation.

How to Improve Network Security Skills

Improving network security involves a combination of strategies, tools, and best practices to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of network infrastructure and data. Here are concise steps for IT & Network Administration to enhance network security:

1. Implement Strong Access Control: Ensure that only authorized users and devices can access your network. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for an added layer of security.

2. Regularly Update and Patch Systems: Keep all software, operating systems, and network devices up to date with the latest security patches. CISA's Patch Management guide offers strategies for keeping systems secure.

3. Use Firewalls and Antivirus Software: Deploy firewalls to monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic based on an organization's security policies. Also, ensure that all devices are protected by updated antivirus software.

4. Secure Wireless Access Points: Encrypt your Wi-Fi network with protocols like WPA3. For guidance, refer to NIST's recommendations for wireless network security.

5. Educate and Train Users: Conduct regular security awareness training to educate users about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has resources on cybersecurity tips.

6. Encrypt Sensitive Data: Use encryption protocols for data both at rest and in transit. See NIST's Guidelines for Data Encryption for standards and practices.

7. Implement Network Segmentation: Divide your network into segments to limit an attacker's ability to move laterally within your network. Cisco's network segmentation guide provides insights on this strategy.

8. Regularly Conduct Security Audits and Penetration Testing: Regular audits and pen tests can help identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Consider guidelines from the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) for web application security testing.

9. Backup Data Regularly: Ensure that data is backed up regularly and that backup integrity is verified. This minimizes the impact of data loss from cyber incidents. CERT's guide to data backups provides comprehensive information.

10. Deploy Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS): Use IDPS to monitor network and system activities for malicious activities or policy violations. Refer to SANS Institute's IDPS guide for deployment strategies.

By implementing these strategies, IT and Network Administration can significantly enhance the security posture of their networks against various cyber threats.

How to Display Network Security Skills on Your Resume

11. Docker Containers

Docker containers are lightweight, standalone, executable packages that include everything needed to run a piece of software, including the code, runtime, system tools, libraries, and settings. In IT & Network Administration, they provide a consistent and isolated environment for applications, ensuring they work uniformly despite differences in underlying infrastructure or platforms.

Why It's Important

Docker containers are important in IT & Network Administration because they provide a lightweight method to package, deploy, and run applications consistently across different environments, enhancing portability, scalability, and ease of management while reducing conflicts and dependencies issues.

How to Improve Docker Containers Skills

Improving Docker containers, especially from an IT & Network Administration perspective, involves focusing on security, performance, resource management, and monitoring. Here are concise strategies:

1. Secure Containers: Implement Docker security best practices by scanning images for vulnerabilities, using trusted base images, and managing secrets securely. Use tools like Docker Bench for Security for assessments.

2. Optimize Performance: Optimize container images by using multi-stage builds and choosing appropriate base images. Minimize the footprint of your Docker containers for better performance. Refer to Docker's Best practices for writing Dockerfiles.

3. Resource Management: Utilize Docker's resource constraints features to limit CPU and memory usage per container, ensuring efficient resource usage. Learn more about Runtime options with Memory, CPUs, and GPUs.

4. Monitoring and Logging: Implement monitoring and logging to track container health, usage, and performance. Tools like Prometheus and Grafana can be integrated for monitoring, while ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) is useful for logging. Check Prometheus and ELK Stack.

5. Networking Best Practices: Design and implement a Docker networking strategy that supports your application architecture and security requirements. Docker provides different network drivers for various needs. Understand them in Docker network overview.

6. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Automate the build, test, and deployment of Docker containers using CI/CD pipelines to improve efficiency and reliability. Jenkins, GitLab, and GitHub Actions offer robust solutions. Explore Jenkins.

7. Keep Docker and Containers Updated: Regularly update Docker and container applications to the latest versions to ensure security, stability, and performance. Follow the official Docker releases for updates.

8. Use Kubernetes for Orchestration: For scaling and managing containerized applications, consider using Kubernetes. It offers self-healing, auto-scaling, and deployment patterns. Begin with Kubernetes Basics.

By focusing on these areas, IT & Network Administrators can significantly improve the efficiency, security, and manageability of Docker containers.

How to Display Docker Containers Skills on Your Resume

12. SQL Databases

SQL databases are relational database management systems that use Structured Query Language (SQL) for defining, manipulating, and accessing data, essential for managing and querying structured data in IT and network administration tasks.

Why It's Important

SQL databases are crucial in IT & Network Administration because they provide a structured and efficient way to store, retrieve, and manage data across various applications and services, ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility for network operations and decision-making.

How to Improve SQL Databases Skills

Improving SQL databases involves optimizing performance, ensuring security, and maintaining data integrity. Here are concise strategies for IT & Network Administration:

1. Index Optimization: Create and maintain indexes to speed up data retrieval. Use tools like SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or EXPLAIN PLAN in Oracle to identify missing indexes or those that can be optimized. More on Index Optimization.

2. Query Optimization: Write efficient queries by avoiding unnecessary columns in SELECT statements and using JOINs appropriately. Tools like SQL Server's Query Store can help identify slow queries for optimization. Refer to SQL Query Optimization.

3. Database Normalization: Normalize your database to eliminate redundant data, improve data integrity, and optimize disk space. However, monitor the impact on query performance. Guidance on Database Normalization.

4. Regular Maintenance: Perform regular maintenance tasks like updating statistics, rebuilding indexes, and checking database integrity. SQL Server Agent can automate these tasks. Explore more on Database Maintenance.

5. Security Measures: Implement strong access controls, encrypt sensitive data, and regularly patch database software to protect against vulnerabilities. The OWASP guide on SQL Injection Prevention offers best practices for securing databases.

6. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Ensure you have a robust backup and disaster recovery plan in place. Regular backups and testing of the recovery process are crucial. Learn about SQL Server Backup.

7. Monitoring and Alerts: Use monitoring tools to track database performance and set up alerts for potential issues. SQL Server Performance Monitor and third-party tools like SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer offer comprehensive monitoring solutions. Check Database Monitoring Best Practices.

8. Scalability Considerations: Plan for future growth by considering database scalability. This may involve partitioning data, moving to larger servers, or adopting cloud solutions for flexibility. Insight on Scaling Databases.

By implementing these strategies, IT & Network Administrators can significantly improve the performance, security, and reliability of SQL databases.

How to Display SQL Databases Skills on Your Resume