Server management & security
Problems caught before your users find them
I look after the servers and databases you already run: monitoring, backups, networking and security.
What I look after
The servers and databases you already run
Server management
Your servers kept updated, healthy and under watch, so there are no surprises on a Friday afternoon.
Includes
- Updates and routine maintenance
- Disk, memory and capacity checks
- A written picture of what runs where
Database administration
Databases that stay fast, backed up and recoverable.
Includes
- Backups, and restores that have actually been tried and tested
- Performance checks and tuning
- Access and permissions reviewed
Networking & security
The firewall rules, access and settings that keep the wrong people out and the right people working.
Includes
- Firewall and network setup
- Access control, with multi-factor authentication
- A review of what is exposed to the internet
Monitoring & backups
Alerts that matter, and operational backups.
Includes
- Disk, uptime and service checks
- Alerts sent where someone will see them
- Backups tested on a schedule
Where I usually step in
Three starting points
When it has been running for years
An old system with no plan
The system itself is usually fine. What is missing is a plan for keeping it healthy, and for replacing it when the time comes.
When it was the cheapest option once
Self-hosted without choosing to be
Self-hosting gives you control and predictable costs. It also means someone has to look after it.
Decide whether to keep it or move.
When there is no IT department
One person for both sides
For most small and medium businesses, one person who understands both the sites and the servers is enough.
Read more in the link below.
Related reading
On security, from the blog
A few simple rules to keep you safe against cyber email threats
Simple habits that keep you safe from email threats, from someone who has worked with computers for over 40 years.
Privacy & Security – Costs and Benefits
Privacy and security are a balancing act: the higher the level, the more convenience you give up.
Make an educated decision about your IT services
What to weigh when choosing IT solutions, beyond cost and expertise, without an in-house IT department.