Expert Server Management & Security

Overview:

Windows Servers are foundational for many enterprise applications, Active Directory, and critical services. However, managing and securing them effectively requires specialized expertise to prevent performance degradation, security breaches, and operational disruptions. This offer is meticulously designed for businesses seeking professional management, robust security, and optimal performance for their Windows Server infrastructure. With 9 years of specialized experience in Windows Server administration, I provide comprehensive services from initial setup and configuration to ongoing monitoring, security hardening, and troubleshooting. By entrusting your Windows Servers to an expert, you can ensure maximum uptime, enhanced security, and streamlined operations, allowing your business to leverage its Microsoft ecosystem with confidence.

Tools & Skills:

• Windows Server Versions: Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022
• Core Services: Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, File Server, IIS (Internet Information Services)
• Security: Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for security, Windows Defender, PowerShell for security automation, Event Log analysis
• Performance Monitoring: Performance Monitor, Resource Monitor, Task Manager, PowerShell cmdlets for performance data
• Automation: PowerShell scripting, Desired State Configuration (DSC)
• Virtualization (Host/Guest): Hyper-V management, managing Windows VMs on VMware/Hyper-V
• Remote Management: Remote Desktop Services (RDS), PowerShell Remoting, Windows Admin Center
• Backup & Recovery: Windows Server Backup, integration with third-party backup solutions
• Troubleshooting: Event Viewer, system logs, network diagnostics.
• Patch Management: WSUS (Windows Server Update Services), manual patching strategies.

How I Work:

My approach to Windows Server management and security is proactive, compliance-aware, and efficiency-driven:

Initial Assessment & Health Check:

• Consultation: A detailed discussion to understand your business objectives, critical applications running on Windows Servers, and any existing performance, stability, or security concerns.
• Server Health Audit: Comprehensive analysis of your Windows Server configurations, roles, features, resource utilization (CPU, RAM, Disk I/O, Network), and event logs.
• Performance Baseline: Establishment of current server performance metrics to accurately measure improvements.
• Security Posture Review: Assessment of existing security configurations, user access controls, and potential vulnerabilities.
• Detailed Report: A comprehensive report outlining identified bottlenecks, security gaps, and areas for significant improvement.

Strategic Design & Implementation Planning:

• Tailored Management Plan: Development of a specific plan for ongoing Windows Server management, including patch management strategies, service optimization, and resource allocation.
• Security Hardening Plan: Creation of a robust security plan, including Group Policy enforcement, Windows Firewall configuration, user access restrictions, and anti-malware deployment.
• Performance Optimization Strategy: Recommendations for optimizing server roles (e.g., IIS, SQL Server) and system resources.
• Monitoring & Alerting Strategy: Designing a comprehensive monitoring setup with appropriate alerts for critical events and security incidents.
• Implementation Roadmap: A step-by-step plan for applying changes with minimal downtime.
• Client Review & Approval: Presentation of the proposed plan for your review, feedback, and final approval.

Implementation & Configuration:

• Operating System Hardening: Applying security baselines and best practices to the Windows Server OS (e.g., disabling unnecessary services, securing local accounts, configuring security policies via GPO).
• Role & Feature Optimization: Configuring and optimizing server roles like Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and IIS for performance and security.
• Windows Firewall Configuration: Implementing granular firewall rules to control network access and protect services.
• Group Policy Management: Creating and linking Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to enforce security settings, software restrictions, and user environment configurations.
• User & Access Management: Implementing least privilege principles for user accounts and service accounts.
• Patch Management: Setting up or optimizing WSUS for automated and controlled patch deployment.
• Monitoring System Deployment: Installation and configuration of monitoring agents and integration with a monitoring server (e.g., SCOM, Zabbix).

Testing, Validation & Continuous Monitoring:

• Performance Benchmarking: Post-implementation testing to measure performance improvements.
• Functionality Testing: Verification that all applications and services are functioning correctly after optimization.
• Security Verification: Conducting security audits and vulnerability scans to confirm the effectiveness of implemented security measures.
• Alerting Validation: Testing alert mechanisms to ensure timely notifications for critical events.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of server health, performance, and security events through Event Viewer and centralized logging.

Documentation & Ongoing Recommendations:

• Configuration Documentation: Provision of detailed documentation of all changes made to the server configuration, including GPO settings and PowerShell scripts.
• Monitoring Dashboards: Custom dashboards for easy visualization of server metrics.
• Best Practices Guide: Recommendations for ongoing server maintenance, security updates, and capacity planning.
• Knowledge Transfer: A session to provide your team with insights into managing and troubleshooting the optimized Windows Server environment.

Why Choose Me?

• 9 Years of Windows Server Expertise: Extensive hands-on experience in managing, optimizing, and securing diverse Windows Server environments.
• Robust Security Implementation: I apply industry-leading security practices to protect your Windows Servers from evolving threats.
• Performance & Stability: My solutions are designed to deliver maximum performance, uptime, and stability for your critical Microsoft-based applications.
• Active Directory & Group Policy Mastery: Deep expertise in managing and securing your core Windows infrastructure services.
• Proactive Monitoring: Gain real-time insights into your server's health and performance, enabling early problem detection.
• Compliance-Aware Solutions: Services are designed with an understanding of common compliance requirements for Windows environments.