IT Lab Assistant

Job Purpose The IT Lab Assistant provides day-to-day technical support, maintenance, and operational management for computer laboratories supporting the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science and Master of Science (MSc) in Cybersecurity programs. The role ensures lab infrastructure, specialized software, virtualized environments, and hardware are fully operational, secure, and ready for lectures, practical hands-on sessions, and research activities. Key Responsibilities & Duties 1. Lab Environment Management & Setup • Prepare, configure, and maintain computer labs for undergraduate (BSc) programming/software labs and postgraduate (MSc) advanced cybersecurity practical sessions. • Deploy, configure, and manage virtualized laboratory environments (e.g., VMware, VirtualBox, Proxmox, Hyper-V) used for ethical hacking, penetration testing, malware analysis, and network security exercises. • Install, update, and license required academic software, IDEs, compilers, database management systems, and specialized security tools (e.g., Wireshark, Metasploit, Kali Linux, Burp Suite, Snort). • Set up isolated network segments, firewalls, and sandboxed environments for safe cybersecurity testing and simulation. 2. Technical Support & Academic Assistance • Provide real-time technical assistance to faculty members and students during scheduled lab sessions and open lab hours. • Troubleshoot hardware, operating system (Windows, Linux, macOS), and network connection issues promptly to minimize disruption to classes. • Guide students on setting up development environments, tools, and remote laboratory access when required. • Maintain physical inventory and setup for hardware experiments (e.g., microcontrollers, IoT devices, network switches, routers, and cabling). 3. System Administration & Maintenance • Perform regular system maintenance, disk imaging, OS deployment, software updates, and security patching across all lab machines. • Monitor lab hardware health, manage user accounts/access control, and enforce university IT usage and cybersecurity policies. • Assist in maintaining lab data backup and recovery procedures. 4. Inventory, Safety & Compliance • Maintain an accurate inventory of lab assets, hardware components, peripheral devices, software licenses, and tools. • Log technical issues, maintenance schedules, and hardware repair requests using the university ticketing system. • Ensure lab facilities comply with health, safety, and security standards, maintaining clean, organized, and secure learning environments. • Education: Bacheloru2019s degree or Higher Diploma in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a closely related field. • Certifications (Preferred / Advantageous): • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) • EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or entry-level cybersecurity certifications Technical Skills & Knowledge • Operating Systems: Advanced proficiency in Linux administration (Ubuntu, Debian, Kali Linux) and Windows/Windows Server environments. • Cybersecurity Tools: Hands-on familiarity with security analysis tools (Wireshark, Nmap, Metasploit, Burp Suite, Snort/Suricata, SIEM concepts). • Virtualization & Cloud: Experience configuring virtual machines, virtual networks, and sandboxes (VMware ESXi/Workstation, VirtualBox, or Docker containers). • Networking: Solid understanding of TCP/IP, subnets, VLANs, routing, firewalls, and basic network troubleshooting. • Software & Scripting: Basic scripting skills (Python, Bash, or PowerShell) for task automation and setup scripts; familiarity with common programming languages (C++, Java, Python). Soft Skills & Core Competencies • Strong problem-solving, diagnostic, and technical troubleshooting abilities. • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with students, faculty, and IT staff. • Ability to work independently, manage time effectively during busy academic term schedules, and prioritize urgent technical support requests. • Commitment to maintaining academic integrity and strict data security protocols within university networks.