Hey everyone! I'm stepping up as the main sysadmin at my company after working as an IT tech for about two years. We're moving on from a managed service provider that's let us down, and I'm now responsible for our technology infrastructure. While I've got a solid background in IT and some certifications like A+, Net+, and Sec+, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the transition. I'd love any tips or advice on what I should keep in mind or any best practices you can share. Most of our tech is already in place, so I'm not starting from scratch, but I do want to make sure I'm fully prepared. Thanks in advance!
5 Answers
A little humor can go a long way—like, be sure to enjoy a good drink after a tough day, but don’t overdo it! Seriously though, it might help to lighten the mood, but on the business end, just remember that what works for one company might not work for another; always adapt your strategy to your company’s specifics.
Get familiar with your backup and disaster recovery processes—they're critical to your success. Make sure you have backups for anything important, like switch configurations. Document everything vital as you go, and keep in mind you'd want to have a rollback plan for those tasks you're about to undertake. Each company has its culture, so your approach should fit in seamlessly with that. Share updates clearly and avoid panic; staying composed is key!
Make a detailed inventory of your systems and their current statuses, and start budgeting for updates or replacements. Document service logins and secure them in a password manager. Never let tasks linger—keeping things moving forward will help you manage stress. Try to delegate smaller tasks to focus on the big picture; there's no need to do everything yourself.
Also, don't underestimate the value of asking for help when needed; hiring a consultant can save you a lot of hassle. Surrounding yourself with a strong support network, even from a good MSP, can really help when things get tough. You're a person, not a superhero, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you need it!
First and foremost, document everything! Make sure to have clear records of your systems, including screenshots and securely stored passwords. Double-check that your account has full admin rights; you don’t want any surprises, especially after what you’ve been through with the MSP. And backup—remember the 3-2-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media, and 1 off-site. Enable multi-factor authentication everywhere to prevent account takeovers. Best practices also suggest no local admin rights unless absolutely necessary. Consider implementing data loss prevention methods to track sensitive info. And get yourself a patch management and asset inventory plan in place.
Totally agree with everything you said! Just be sure to verify your existing setup—sometimes things aren't configured as they should be, even if they've been in place for a while.
Right on! Communication is huge—being straightforward with the team about what's happening helps avoid chaos.