The Briscoe Network Solutions’ Stable and Secure Baseline Assessment is an intensive diagnostic and planning service designed to check the critical components of your computer network for security, reliability, and performance. To make sure your network is running at peak performance and protected from data loss, downtime, viruses, and security breaches, this assessment should be performed at least once a quarter.
By evaluating your network once a quarter and reviewing your future business goals and objectives, we can ensure that one of your most valuable business tools, your network and the information it holds, is performing at peak efficiency and safety.
We will perform this audit, and then alert you to any potential problems discovered. We will then advise you on your options for remedying the situation. Establishing a stable and secure baseline is a prerequisite for any of our flat fee services.
Evaluation Components:
Server
- What version of the operating system is installed?
- What roles does the server perform?
- Do any security patches need to be installed? (Note: security patches should not be installed haphazardly; not all patches are safe to install)
- Are there any error messages or error lights on to indicate a failure, pre-failure warning or disconnection?
- Are there any suspicious or unexpected entries in the system logs?
- Is there sufficient storage space?
- Is the storage redundancy system working correctly?
- Does the hard drive need to be defragmented?
- Does the server have adequate memory and CPU power for its current load?
- Is up-to-date anti-virus software installed and working properly?
- Was there a recent virus scan performed?
- Is the server adequately protected by an uninterruptible power supply?
- Are there any inactive user accounts?
- Is the password configuration in alignment with security policies?
- What is the current up-time of the server?
Backup System
- Are all necessary files being backed up?
- What is the frequency of backups?
- What is the media for backup?
- How are off-site backups being maintained?
- Are backup disk drives being rotated on a regular basis?
- Is the system set to verify that backups are completed without errors?
- Is there a schedule for performing a system restore?
- Is there a disaster recovery plan?
Network Infrastructure and Configuration
- What type of network is in place?
- What type of switch is being used?
- How many ports total?
- How many ports used and unused?
- Is the topology expandable and able to handle a load increase?
- Is there a hub being used? Why or why not?
- Is there an active firewall in place?
- What type?
- Is the firmware up to date?
- Are there multiple layers of security?
- If so, what are the layers?
- What type of internet connection is in place?
- Who is the ISP (Internet Service Provider)?
- What is the speed and configuration?
- What type of router is being used?
- What type of wiring is being used?
- Is the wiring neat and clean?
- Are racks being used?
- Is there a WAN (Wide Area Network) in place?
- What type?
- Is there a VPN (Virtual Private Network) in place?
- What type?
- Are wireless components being used?
- What types?
- What is the configuration?
- Is it secure?
- What is the local area network IP address Assignments?
- Is DHCP (automatic computer addressing) or Static IP’s (Internet address) being used?
- What is the naming scheme?
- Are print servers being used?
- Are all shared printers attached to a print server?
- Is a Terminal Server being used? How is it licensed?
- Is Content Management being used?
- Is the subscription being updated?
- Is the e-mail storage system internal or external?
- What is the admin username and password?
- What is the password for the network administrator?
- Is the server kept in a secure location?
Workstations, Laptops, & PDAs
- How many workstations are on site?
- Are they properly configured?
- Is the Disk Clean-up Tool scheduled to run regularly to clean up temporary Internet files?
- Is antivirus protection also occurring at the workstation level?
- Is the user able to disable the antivirus software on his/her machine?
- Are there spyware detection and removal software installed and being run weekly?
- Is there an AUP (acceptable usage policy) in place?
- Is there content filtering software installed?
- Are there any remote workers or traveling employees using a laptop?
- Are those laptops scanned for viruses and spyware before connecting to the network?
- How do those devices access business data?
Company Growth and Expansion
- Do you foresee adding any new hardware or software in the next three to six months?
- Do you plan on opening any remote offices or new locations within the next three to six months?
- Do you have plans to upgrade or install any key applications?
- Do you see any significant increase or decrease in their business in the next two years?
- Are there any ongoing problems you are experiencing?
- Are there any manual processes you would like to automate?
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