Hailing the Heroes Behind the Keyboard: SysAdmin Day 2024

Every year, on the last Friday of July, we celebrate SysAdmin Day, a dedicated moment to recognize the tireless efforts of the IT professionals who keep our digital world humming. SysAdmins are the unsung heroes, the wizards behind the curtain, who ensure our networks run smoothly, applications function flawlessly, and data remains secure. They are the first responders when disaster strikes, the troubleshooters who untangle complex problems, and the architects who design and maintain the critical infrastructure that underpins our modern lives.

In honor of SysAdmin Day 2024, VMblog brings together a panel of industry experts to shed light on the invaluable contributions of SysAdmins. We'll hear from respected leaders across various IT domains, gaining insights into the ever-evolving role of SysAdmins and the immense value they bring to organizations of all sizes. So, please read and share this commentary, and help celebrate these dedicated professionals: the SysAdmins who keep our digital realm secure, efficient, and up and running!

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Shailesh Manjrekar, Chief Marketing Officer, CloudFabrix

CloudFabrix is in the business of making the lives of Sysadmins - the unsung heroes, much easier. As any Sysadmin can vouch, he needs Observability, AIOps, and Automation so his systems can embark on that journey of an Autonomous Enterprise and it all starts with data. CloudFabrix's Robotic Data Automation Fabric automates his life with Data. CloudFabrix meets him where he is in this journey and takes him through the Descriptive, Predictive, Prescriptive and Cognitive phases. The cherry on the cake is the entire journey now using Macaw GenAI's Conversational queries, where the new programming language is English!

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Donny van der Linde, Pre-Sales Consultant Benelux, Liquit , part of Recast Software

Even though every day is Sysadmin appreciation day at Liquit, part of Recast Software, we want to say a special thank you to all those EUC champions on the official day!

Sysadmins keep the EUC world of every organization running smoothly, from devices and systems to applications and endpoint management.

As part of Recast Software, Liquit is better positioned than ever to provide the vital solutions for migrations, refreshes, and digital transformation projects. Your hybrid cloud and work world will only get more complex, making contextual device and application access from any location more challenging. This means handling workarounds, migrations, integrations, packaging, patching, visibility, and configuration across macOS, Windows, workspaces, VDI, DaaS, and beyond.

SysAdmin Appreciation Day is the perfect time to say thank you! Everyone at Liquit and Recast Software is working to support IT teams and SysAdmins every day because we know the vital role you play in keeping every organization efficient and productive.

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Anthony Cusimano, technical director at tech startup Object First

Reflecting on last year,  I predicted the potential of AI to make jobs easier, but also that it would introduce a bevy of new issues specifically that the sysadmin would have to deal with. Now, with AI phishing, deep fakes, and blackmail targeting business and their employees, sysadmins have a whole new slew of concerning threats. These attack vectors are used to compromise employees, manipulating them into granting access to company secrets and privileged information. That’s why I’m telling anyone who will listen this year: sysadmins must up their Zero Trust game.
 
Zero Trust is a security concept that assumes no user or device within or outside the network is trusted, requiring verification for every access request to secure resources. Yet, these fortifying principles are lacking in the backup and recovery space though most attacks target backup data first. I encourage system and backup administrators to research and understand Zero Trust Data Resilience (ZTDR). If applied correctly, this framework can ensure a safe recovery and avoid ransom payouts no matter where the attack occurs and what it targets. In a never-ending role filled with stress and reactivity, consider implementing Zero Trust across apps and infrastructure to add a bit of simplicity to your data protection strategies
 
Today, we acknowledge and appreciate all sysadmins! Alongside thanks this year, considering all the advancements in tech and the increase in the number and complexity of attacks, this Sysadmin Day, I recommend we all encourage a little less trust and a little more security across our businesses.

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Jeff Ready, Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, Co-founder of Scale Computing

On this 25th SysAdmin Appreciation Day, Scale Computing thanks all SysAdmins for tirelessly keeping IT systems running smoothly. As technology evolves and becomes more critical to business operations, your role is more vital than ever. Your dedication to managing complex environments, ensuring uptime, and maintaining security is commendable. We're honored to support you with solutions that simplify your tasks and enhance your capabilities. Thank you for your relentless efforts and commitment. As part of our SysAdmin Day celebration, we are offering a Yeti Crossroads Backpack 22L ($199) for individuals who take a brief discovery meeting and have a custom quote generated. Click here to claim your Yeti Backpack!

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Kevin Cole, director of product and technical marketing, Zerto

The recent Crowdstrike disruption, which affected thousands of businesses and caused major service outages, is a perfect example of why every organization needs a strong and supported System Administrator team.

System administrators are the unsung heroes for ensuring organizations uphold business continuity. The responsibility of keeping companies online is a task that is more daunting and intricate than most think. From navigating IT failures, along with maintaining normal computer and network functions, SysAdmins are the key to keeping your business running smoothly. 

Through investing in solutions designed to establish robust infrastructure, such as disaster recovery and cloud mobility, organizations can provide an additional layer of support for SysAdmins. By allocating resources for a premium infrastructure, companies enable their SysAdmin teams to concentrate on the essential aspects of their role: creating and maintaining systems that are responsive and continuously operational. So, on this SysAdmin Day, be sure to show appreciation to these behind-the-scenes but vital team members.

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Simon Townsend, Field CTO, ControlUp

Imagine spending 70% of your day buried in support work and troubleshooting. For SysAdmins, this is often the reality, and it's one reason the tech industry sees such high turnover. SysAdmins are constantly overwhelmed by tedious tasks, leaving little room for the passion projects and strategic initiatives that truly drive job satisfaction, motivation, and loyalty. It's time we celebrate our SysAdmins by freeing them from these mundane chores. By adopting advanced digital employee experience (DEX) solutions with automated remediation and AI capabilities, we can provide the proactive troubleshooting needed to get SysAdmins off the support ticket treadmill, deliver a better employee experience, and ensure that endpoints are patched and free from vulnerabilities. This means issues are resolved before they impact the employee experience, solidifying SysAdmins as the true superheroes they are.

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Angela Heindl-Schober, SVP, Global Marketing, HYCU

System administrators are the unsung heroes powering our digital world and ensuring that we all are able to do the work we do daily. Their tireless efforts behind the scenes keep our networks running, our data secure, and our businesses operational and resilient. On this SysAdmin Appreciation Day, we salute their expertise, dedication, and round-the-clock commitment to excellence. Today's modern enterprise simply couldn't function without the invaluable work of these skilled professionals.

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Manu Heirbaut, Vice President of Engineering, Datadobi

As someone who has direct exposure to the folks in ‘the backroom,’ I have seen first-hand the invaluable role that SysAdmins play in the success of any organization. While oftentimes, the SysAdmin remains unseen, quietly ensuring that our systems keep humming, I cannot even count the number of times a SysAdmin has come to the rescue. The truth is, without SysAdmins, most organizations would be up a creek, without a paddle. These unsung heroes work tirelessly behind the scenes -- truly at all hours of the day or night -- to ensure our systems run seamlessly, securely, and without interruption.

As John Wooden, the first person ever inducted as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and as a coach, once said, 'It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.'

So on SysAdmin Appreciation Day, or better yet all year round, take a moment to shake the hand of the individual who contributes so greatly to your success, and say thank you.

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DeeDee Kato, Vice President, Corporate Marketing, Foxit

SysAdmins are truly the backbone of any organization – tirelessly working behind the scenes to maintain secure and smooth-running systems. SysAdmins expertise and dedication keep the digital infrastructure humming – allowing the entire organization to function safely and efficiently. Without their constant vigilance and problem-solving skills – even minor issues could escalate into major disruptions, impacting productivity, security, and business continuity.

Of course, it should go without saying, we must provide our SysAdmins with solutions that are the most advanced and proven possible. This is the best – I would even venture to say, only –  way to ensure that they can maintain a robust and efficient IT infrastructure.

But we cannot stop there... SysAdmins must also be empowered with cutting-edge solutions – like productivity solutions that embed Generative AI. By adding GenAI into workflows, SysAdmins can boost what employees can do – letting them focus on strategic and creative projects that create competitive advantage, and push the organization forward.

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Doug Murray, CEO of Auvik

With remote and hybrid workforces becoming the new, permanent norm, the role of the SysAdmin continues to grow and evolve, with many working twice as hard to maintain user productivity amid the adoption of non-traditional devices and other distributed network components.

Overseeing everything that exists in IT infrastructure, SysAdmins are no longer only integral to IT but critically important to business productivity as a whole. As AI proliferates the influence of SysAdmins is likely to grow with it. In addition to possessing important technical knowledge of networking fundamentals, security, and troubleshooting abilities, the SysAdmin’s understanding of the business and how their users operate is critical to ensure that problems are solved quickly and work is executed efficiently. Because of this, it is important to elevate SysAdmins to incorporate them into strategic planning efforts.

At the heart, being a SysAdmin is a people-centered role requiring just as many soft skills as technical skills and encompassing much more than general IT administration tasks. Integration and communication between SysAdmins and the rest of their organization is critical, and businesses that prioritize and include SysAdmins in their overall business strategy will have a significant competitive advantage because of the unique and valuable insight they bring to the table.

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Rick Vanover, VP Product Strategy, Veeam Software

This is a very exciting System Administrator Appreciation Day, as there are more opportunities than ever to do better at this still important role. One of the biggest breakthroughs for today’s system administrators comes from AI. System administrators around the world have been using Generative AI for more precise information for their technical and supportability questions, as well as the ability to create scripts and automation optimizations. Many system administrators approached scripting in a way of, “I would use what I could find online”, if they individually do not have scripting and automation experience. Generative AI effectively levels the playing field when it comes for SysAdmin automation.

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Juan Andres Robayo, Principal System Administrator, Leaseweb CAN

SysAdmins are the backbone of any organization -- that important supporting structure that we never see unless something bad happens. As one of our organization's most appreciated departments, these experts help businesses and their customers day and night to maintain, update, and troubleshoot internal and external networks and services. Without their diligent efforts, businesses could not guarantee reliability and quality for their end-users.
 
SysAdmins need to be highly curious thinkers with the flexibility to quickly adjust to changing conditions. This enables them to effectively manage daily tasks while also acting as crisis managers when technical issues occur-such as cyberattacks. To support SysAdmins in their day-to-day tasks, organizations should invest in resilient infrastructure and provide the necessary tools, disaster recovery, and power outage solutions. Protecting data and ensuring access is vital, but organizations must also minimize downtime and speed up the restoration of operations with redundant solutions.

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Josh Aaron, CEO at Aiden Technologies

On SysAdmin Day, it's important to acknowledge and thank all the system administrators for their dedication. These unsung heroes are the backbone of our digital infrastructure, working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our networks running smoothly and securely. 

Friday's massive outage due to CrowdStrike, affecting millions of computers and businesses, is a stark reminder of the immense pressure and critical role that SysAdmins and IT professionals play. Many have been working around the clock, sacrificing their weekends to ensure that businesses can continue to operate. They are not just IT professionals; they are the guardians of our digital realms, constantly adapting to new challenges and threats. 
 
At Aiden, we recognize the immense pressure SysAdmins face in managing complex systems, especially in an era of increased remote work and sophisticated cyber threats. That's why we've dedicated ourselves to developing AI-driven solutions that empower SysAdmins, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives rather than repetitive tasks. Our hyperautomation technology is designed to enhance IT security and streamline operations, giving SysAdmins the tools they need to excel in their roles. 
 
Let's not only celebrate these tech wizards but also commit to supporting them with innovative solutions that make their jobs easier and more impactful. After all, a well-supported SysAdmin team is crucial for any organization's success in our increasingly digital world. 
 
Happy SysAdmin Day, and a heartfelt thank you to all the IT and Security professionals who work tirelessly to keep our digital world safe and operational, especially on days like today.

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Will LaSala, Field CTO, OneSpan

This SysAdmin Day, it’s crucial to highlight the symbiotic relationship between IT security and the broader organization. It’s widely known that IT security provides the framework and tools necessary to secure sensitive data – a critical responsibility to ensure seamless operations. Still, security must extend beyond system administrators and become a shared responsibility and collaborative effort involving all departments across organizations.

While system administrators play a vital role in areas like user access control and enforcing security policies, they often support HR processes, like onboarding and offboarding, as well. However, in working together, IT security and HR departments can collaborate to not only reduce insider threats but enhance security throughout the entire organization – from holding regular security awareness training to integrating continuous identity verification throughout employee onboarding processes. In doing so, system administrators are better supported to keep our digital world running smoothly – no easy feat.

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Greg Collins, product marketing manager, Progress

System Administrators are a first line of defense against threats both internally and externally. If these experts don’t have the tools and strategies they need to succeed, organizations are vulnerable to all sorts of malicious threats and may even breach key compliance regulations. The average enterprise accumulates up to four gigabytes of log data daily, and it is critical they have full visibility and control over this data.  
 
Data privacy for personal health information (PHI) and personally identifiable information (PII) is a top concern globally, and even in the United States the SEC has updated their cybersecurity incident reporting requirements asking for more in-depth historical and impact information.  
 
System Administrators need the right resources to report on historical data, identify and diagnose issues across internal IT networks, and determine unauthorized access and changes to permissions in today’s advanced technological landscape.  
 
The best way organizations can celebrate and recognize their System Administrators is to understand and address their evolving needs with the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), expanding network infrastructure, and increasingly aggressive threats by enhancing and supporting their network visibility capabilities.

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Sumedh Barde, Head of Product, for Simbian
 
We are honored to recognize System Administrators (SysAdmins) around the world, who have one of the most demanding and important roles in every organization, as it is their hard-earned task to help keep businesses running. Undoubtedly, it is the SysAdmin key responsibility to keep a company online, incredibly challenging in today's complex environment.

Being on the front lines of IT migrations and digital transformation projects large and small, the SysAdmin must also support employees' ability to work from any location, using any device, 24x7.

The SysAdmin maintains not only the network and computer systems but are key in assisting to avoid IT disasters such as ransomware attacks all the way to natural disaster events. Without SysAdmins, it is safe to say businesses would not be able to operate.

Congratulations and thank you to all SysAdmins!

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