SysOps - An organization's hardening of internal controls and compliance automated!

Runbook - is defined as a collection of routine procedures and operations that a sysadmin or operator carries out. This is and was done manually by writing standard procedures for System administrators and Operators (systems and network) to reference in carrying out daily tasks. 

Runbook automation (RBA) - the definition of taking this procedures and operations, putting it in a workflow that supports the approved business IT process in line with policies within an organization. 

The runbook concept has been around since I was an operator. Excel spreadsheets were used to report, with wonderful green, yellow and red colours. This then was used to send to the System, App, DB administrators and the entire executive level! But thanks to amazing people out there we are now able to automate repetitive tasks associated with IT operations processes. 

We usually find this type of policies, procedures and tasks within the recurring processes. An example would be a batch of financials within an application. You’d ask why would you then want to automate this manual tasks/checks. Systems, like financial systems, have to be aligned with standards within the sector. But this only gives a baseline, as every business has its uniqueness in how the system needs to be configured on top of this guided baseline. 

Automating this unique tasks with RBA, assists in visibility and transparency. Not only is insight important but the maintenance and reduction of failures as well as increasing the capability in IT personnel is enhances IT efficiency within and organization that offers these critical service levels. 

Nooo, this is not DevOps, this is SysOps. The ability to identify repetitive tasks, aligned with the business policies and procedures, run a set of instructions when an event happens, take action and report on this. Now you tell me, is that not a system you’d love within an audited environment? SysOps - An organization's hardening of internal controls and compliance automated!