- Music
- Walking
- Cooking
- Open source systems and software
Simon Greenwood
Bradford,West Yorkshire
Summary
Experienced Senior System Administrator skilled in managing enterprise Linux and Unix systems, cloud provisioning, and virtualisation. Optimises server performance while implementing security protocols and ensuring PCI-DSS compliance. Specialises in technical troubleshooting, system documentation, and automation scripting with Python and Bash. Expertise in network configuration and incident response enhances service reliability and drives IT infrastructure efficiency.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior System Administrator
AdminGeekZ Ltd
01.2011 - Current
- Administered enterprise Linux and Debian systems for stable service delivery.
- Managed Apache HTTPD, Nginx, and LiteSpeed web server technologies daily.
- Monitored email services and handled incident triage for reliability.
- Optimised MySQL server performance through configuration and workload tuning.
- Wrote Bash and Python scripts to automate routine administration tasks.
- Deployed and maintained cPanel, DirectAdmin, and Plesk control panels.
- Managed KVM, LXC, and Docker for virtualisation and container workloads.
- Used Ansible to deploy services and standardise Docker container configurations.
- Coordinated with service providers to resolve platform-level dependencies.
- Performed remote administration and DevOps support for global clients.
- Tuned LAMP and Nginx/PHP-FPM stacks for high performance and reliability.
- Provisioned cloud-based systems using MySQL, Apache, Nginx, PHP, and Varnish.
- Managed cPanel and Plesk backups alongside general server management tasks.
- Applied security updates, hardening, and tuning for secure protocols.
- Utilised troubleshooting and fault-finding abilities to identify outages.
- Reviewed and updated system administration policies and procedures to align with current best practices.
- Resolved issues and escalated problems with knowledgeable support and quality service.
- Updated and maintained documentation for system configurations, procedures, and service records.
- Updated hardware and software requirements to navigate system-wide changes, preventing backlogs and inefficiencies.
- Provided expert technical support, resolving complex issues to maintain high levels of user satisfaction.
- Documented system configurations and changes meticulously, maintaining a reliable reference for troubleshooting.
- Diagnosed hardware and software issues, implementing action to prevent reoccurrence.
- Monitored system performance using advanced tools, proactively identifying and resolving issues.
- Improved and maintained existing IT processes and system documentation to create easy to use reference guides.
- Designed and implemented robust security protocols to safeguard sensitive information against cyber threats.
- Managed virtualisation environments, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and minimal downtime.
- Operated server management tools for patching, monitoring and backup activity.
- Understood key systems in use, providing business-as-usual (BAU) IT support on a day-to-day basis.
- Configured and administered network services such as DNS, DHCP, and email protocols for seamless connectivity.
- Monitored system performance metrics, implementing adjustments to optimise speed and availability.
- Analysed intricate server issues and supported large enterprise and business-critical applications.
- Analysed system logs and user reports to diagnose and swiftly resolve complex technical problems.
- Conducted regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities, applying patches and updates promptly.
- Installed and configured various software and hardware for smooth-running systems operation.
- Analysed log files, systems and network traffic to identify improvement opportunities.
- Delivered reliable support for all server-class systems.
- Managed server infrastructure across multiple sites, optimising system performance and reliability.
- Built and maintained internal tools, evaluating performance and updating.
- Managed system cybersecurity, implementing firewall, anti-virus software, and VPN for fewer cyber attacks.
- Developed custom automation scripts to increase productivity and reduce manual intervention in routine tasks.
- Configured HTTPS and secure access settings to maintain encrypted services.
- Investigated outages through structured troubleshooting and fault-finding.
- Reviewed administration policies and updated procedures to match best practice.
- Resolved server issues and escalated problems with informed support updates.
Senior System Administrator
BuzzSports Ltd
Leeds
10.2010 - 03.2011
- Setting up server and desktop systems for a gaming startup in Leeds using a LAMP based system on Rackspace servers. Implementation of processes and security to meet requirements of a UK gambling licence and PCI DSS compliance.
- Utilised troubleshooting and fault-finding abilities to identify outages.
- Resolved issues and escalated problems with knowledgeable support and quality service.
- Reviewed and updated system administration policies and procedures to align with current best practices.
- Provided expert technical support, resolving complex issues to maintain high levels of user satisfaction.
- Analysed system logs and user reports to diagnose and swiftly resolve complex technical problems.
- Configured and administered network services such as DNS, DHCP, and email protocols for seamless connectivity.
Contract Technical Consultant
Lloyds Bank for HP plc
Knutsford
01.2010 - 12.2010
- A project at a major financial institution to identify legacy hardware and its applications and suggest a migration strategy into a managed Linux environment.
- Asked customers targeted questions throughout troubleshooting to determine smart solutions.
Contract Linux PCI-DSS Compliance Consultant
The Tote
Wigan
04.2010 - 10.2010
- Providing technical advice and support for a PCI-DSS compliance project for this high-profile online betting service, including auditing production environments and developing and documenting system hardening strategies and ongoing patching and support processes in a RedHat Linux environment.
- Identified issues, analysed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Assisted team by taking on extra responsibilities during projects.
Contract Migration Consultant
O2 plc
Leeds
07.2008 - 12.2008
- Led discovery and documentation project to identify and migrate legacy hardware into virtualised Sun Microsystems/Oracle environment, enhancing system efficiency.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve project goals, fostering a cooperative work environment.
Education
BA - Humanities
Teesside Polytechnic
Middlesbrough01-1988
Skills
- Linux and Unix system administration
- Linux administration
- System configuration
- Systems upgrades
- Server deployment
- Servers expertise
- Virtualization technologies
- Cloud provisioning
- Network configuration
- Incident response
- Technical troubleshooting
- Automation scripting
- Python scripting
- Bash Shell
- System analysis
- System design
- IT consultation
- Process optimization
Interests
Timeline
Senior System Administrator
AdminGeekZ Ltd
01.2011 - Current
Senior System Administrator
BuzzSports Ltd
10.2010 - 03.2011
Contract Linux PCI-DSS Compliance Consultant
The Tote
04.2010 - 10.2010
Contract Technical Consultant
Lloyds Bank for HP plc
01.2010 - 12.2010
Contract Migration Consultant
O2 plc
07.2008 - 12.2008
BA - Humanities
Teesside Polytechnic