ITsManaged

Server maintenance is even more critical than desktop maintenance. Normally servers run 24/7 multiplying the problems associated with desktops.

In addition to regular maintenance, it is wise to monitor servers vital signs as well as performance parameters and respond early to tell tales that may indicate deeper issues that may result in sudden failure.

Security

Security for servers is particularly important since they are a central store for documents, programs and databases. This means installing security patches promptly to close the window of vulnerability quickly, running daily deep malware scans out of office hours, keeping your anti-malware software up to date and managing access to server resources very carefully - it's so easy to leave 'back doors' that allow unauthorised access, especially when your server is available on-line, such as when it provides email, remote folders or remote access. It's also wise to use an independent firewall for your server - a firewall running on the server has the same vulnerabilities as the rest of the server, while an independent firewall, designed to do that single task will always provide better protection and security.

An independent firewall should form the "perimeter" fence around your office networks. It acts as the gatekeeper permitting only authorised traffic into your network, and then with a little more sophistication, can check that traffic for trojans, viruses, unwanted web content and sites. It just makes sense to stop criminal activity before it gets into your network, so a perimeter fence with a gatekeeper makes for sound security.

Backing up, disaster recovery and business continuity

According to Wanja Eric Naef "There are numerous examples of companies suffering due to poor Business Contingency Planning. In the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, 150 companies went out of business (out of 350 affected)-scarcely an encouraging statistic. But an incident does not need to be a dramatic terrorist attack to have a massive impact on an organisation. For instance, in the case of fires, 44% of businesses fail to reopen and 33% of these failed to survive beyond 3 years" (www.iwar.org.uk)

Backing up your server should a file be lost, a disk fails or a fire destroys your server and it's contents is basic business practise. Traditional methods, such as tape backups, external hard disk backups and other media such as DVD's is notoriously failure prone. In a busy office backups are often forgotten and rarely are backups checked for recoverability. These traditional approaches just do not deliver the risk reduction required. Automated, secure and offsite backups to geographically dispersed locations is the only real option.

Should a disaster such as a server failure or a flood occur, how long can your clients wait for you to purchase, re-install software, re-configure systems and upload your backed up data? The decision is clearly not determined by the business size, it is determined by your clients expectations. If your clients go to your competition, how many will come back? A disaster such as this need not put your business out of business for days or weeks. Redundant server hardware, updated mirrors of your entire server kept off site and ready for such an event need not be expensive. Sharing such facilities and using modern technology and facilities makes disaster recovery a low cost, effective option for all small business.

Another, more severe scenario where perhaps a fire destroys your office or a flood or other widespread disaster prohibits you from entering your office can also spell doom for the unprepared. Large organisations have completely redundant sites for their staff and systems, but this is hardly in the realm of a small business, you would think. Well no, that is not true! Business continuity facilities are all around us now, almost all staff have a home computer and a mobile phone, really the only thing missing is access to your programs and data housed in your servers. The missing link is available from ITsManaged and we call it Business Continuity. In such an event, we provide your nominated staff with software, security keys and we recreate your server fully so your staff can continue to work remotely. We can even arrange for an office telephone system to be delivered to your staff using either their own handsets or software telephones.

Corporate capabilities delivered at a small business price!