Service
Administration & Hardening
I help maintain and organise Windows Server, Linux, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Entra and Google Workspace environments. My work covers configuration reviews, agreed changes, ongoing maintenance and backup restoration tests.
Administration and hardening work together
System administration covers day-to-day configuration, updates and access. Hardening reduces unnecessary privileges, services and settings that increase exposure to threats. I tailor changes to the role of each system and the requirements of its applications.
When a review can help
- It is unclear who has administrator privileges or whether they still need them.
- Accounts belonging to former users or services with an unclear purpose remain active.
- Updates are postponed because they might disrupt applications.
- Backups run, but the ability to restore data has not been confirmed.
Accounts, configuration and recovery
- I review accounts and permissions and implement agreed access restrictions in local systems and cloud services.
- I check configuration and update status. I agree changes with application dependencies in mind, including SQL and ERP environments.
- I review backup configuration and carry out agreed restoration tests. I distinguish a completed backup from a demonstrated ability to recover data.
- Within agreed maintenance work, I revisit configuration and access as users, applications and business needs change.
From review to agreed changes
I start by identifying the systems in scope, their business role and the configuration information available. I agree access, acceptable downtime and how data will be protected before changes.
Depending on the engagement, the outcome may include prioritised recommendations, a record of changes or a restoration test record. I agree the format of any materials, implementation work and ongoing maintenance for each engagement.
Dependencies and limits
The options depend on system versions, licences, permissions and application requirements. Older software may need an upgrade or a separate plan. Hardening reduces risk but cannot guarantee protection against every attack.
A restoration test requires agreement on the data, location and test conditions. A configuration review is not a penetration test or an assessment of the entire network.
Questions and answers
Will changes require downtime?
Some settings can be changed while a service is running; others need a restart or maintenance window. I establish this before implementation, taking applications and acceptable downtime into account.
What should I prepare for the first conversation?
System types and versions, key applications, an approximate user count and a description of the concern. Do not include passwords, keys or copies of business data in the initial enquiry.
Getting started
Describe your systems and whether you need a review, configuration changes, maintenance or a restoration test. I will use this information to agree the next steps.
Describe your environment in the audit enquiry formRelated areas
Where server access depends on network segmentation and communication rules, a related area is Network Infrastructure & Security.
Responsibilities for access and data also draw on knowledge of Compliance & Risk Management.
Certificates document knowledge and training; they do not demonstrate a particular implementation or, on their own, establish the scope of services offered.