terminal Available · Remote

Making complex Linux environments safer, simpler, and easier to manage

I help organisations keep critical infrastructure predictable and maintainable — less manual administration, fewer configuration errors, more reliability. For organisations looking for durable solutions rather than temporary workarounds.

Senior Linux & OpenBSD specialist, working remotely from Bangkok for Dutch organisations. The time difference adds flexibility for planned work and support outside office hours.

  • 25+ years experience
  • Linux & Unix specialist
  • Security first
  • Enterprise experience
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Case studies

Concrete situations where infrastructure became maintainable and reliable again — not just which tools were used.

KPN

Linux platforms for confidential environments

Due to NDA obligations, technical details are limited.

Challenge

For a new security service, a Linux platform had to be developed and operated within an environment with high requirements for security, compliance, and confidentiality. Because of the nature of the project and the end clients involved, substantive details are only available to a limited extent.

Approach

Worked within a DevOps-driven team on the design, implementation, and operation of hardened Linux platforms. Security-by-default, reproducible configurations, open-source technologies, and compliance with strict regulatory requirements were central throughout.

Outcome

A stable and secure foundation for new security services in an environment where reliability, compliance, and confidentiality were essential. The project required not only technical expertise, but also the discipline to work within processes and security frameworks where care matters more than speed.

Vanderlande

Secure delivery of airport-critical systems

Challenge

During the delivery of baggage handling systems for an international airport, additional security requirements were imposed on the Linux infrastructure. The environment had to meet strict requirements for network access, system hardening, authentication, and auditing within a very tight timeframe.

Approach

The existing SLES cluster environment was extended with a security baseline in which firewalls were configured entirely according to the principle of least privilege. SELinux, CIS hardening, and central authentication via Active Directory were also implemented. During a short observation period, additional SELinux policies were developed and refined to preserve full operational functionality without compromising security.

Outcome

The environment was delivered successfully within the deadline and met the required security and compliance standards. During the technical review by the airport's IT department, the implementation was rated exemplary, allowing the systems to go into production without further changes.

Port of Rotterdam

From Windows dependency to a standardised Linux platform

Challenge

For controlling and monitoring generator installations on a light island, the organisation depended on software that ran only on an outdated Windows platform. This created operational risks around manageability, standardisation, and security.

Approach

The application was analysed and successfully adapted for use on Debian Linux with Wine. The entire environment was then standardised and automated with Ansible so configurations could be reproduced and managed centrally. Systems were also hardened according to CIS guidelines to further reduce the attack surface.

Outcome

A secure, standardised, and fully automated Linux environment that was no longer dependent on outdated Windows systems. This simplified administration, improved security, and strengthened operational continuity for a critical infrastructure environment.

Discuss your infrastructure challenge

Why organisations hire me

Not a tool list — but the problems I solve and the value that delivers.

maintainable Linux platforms

Design, implementation, and operation of stable Linux environments that remain secure, predictable, and straightforward to maintain — including over the long term.

Security & compliance

Security as an integral part of infrastructure, not a collection of separate measures added afterwards.

Infrastructure automation

Less manual administration, more consistency. Infrastructure as code delivers reproducible environments and predictable change.

Critical infrastructure

Experience in environments where continuity, reliability, and predictable operations matter more than experimenting with the latest technology.

Availability & engagement

Engagement length

Typically 1–6 months. Shorter specialist assignments or extensions are both possible.

Working model

Remote from Bangkok, which makes maintenance and changes outside office hours easier to schedule.

Rate

€100–€125/hour (excl. VAT) Indicative — depending on duration, complexity, and engagement type.

Schedule a no-obligation call

What INITsix stands for

I help organisations keep Linux infrastructure secure, predictable, and maintainable. Linux and OpenBSD form the foundation; automation and cloud technology are used where they support operational simplicity and reliability.

INITsix is named after init 6, the classic Linux command for a system reboot. A nod to the deliberate course change I made years ago towards Linux, open-source infrastructure, and automation.

Technologies

Linux & Unix

Debian, Ubuntu, Red Hat, SUSE, OpenBSD, FreeBSD

Automation

Ansible, OpenTofu, Terraform, GitOps

Cloud & platforms

AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, Proxmox, VMware

Security & hardening

SELinux, CIS hardening, firewalling, IAM, security baselines, compliance

Microsoft environments

Windows Server, Active Directory, Exchange, Group Policy, PowerShell

High availability & clustering

DRBD, Corosync, Pacemaker

Virtualisation & storage

Proxmox VE, VMware, Ceph

Get in touch for a no-obligation conversation

About me

My career began nearly thirty years ago in the Linux world. Since then I have worked within enterprise organisations such as KPN, ASML, Achmea, and Vanderlande, and as an independent consultant for organisations with high demands for reliability, security, and continuity.

While my focus today is Linux infrastructure and automation, my background in both Microsoft and open-source environments allows me to operate effectively in mixed environments as well.

Over the years I have become increasingly convinced of one principle: not all complexity can be avoided, but unnecessary complexity makes systems harder to operate, secure, and maintain.

That is why I focus on solutions that remain secure, predictable, and maintainable. Linux forms the foundation. I also work regularly with OpenBSD, a project whose emphasis on simplicity, transparency, and security aligns well with my view of infrastructure.

Good infrastructure does not draw attention. It supports the team, does its job reliably, and remains maintainable over the long term.

Experience

25+ years in enterprise, logistics, telecom, and as an independent consultant.

history

INITsix

Freelance · Infrastructure consultant

Freelance assignments in Linux, security, and automation, combined with developing my own infrastructure and hosting platform.

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KPN

DevSecOps Engineer

Development and operation of hardened Linux platforms within a high-security environment. Responsible for automation, security, and platform management under strict compliance and confidentiality requirements.

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Vanderlande

Linux specialist

Development and delivery of Linux platforms for baggage handling systems at international airports, with a focus on automation, security, high availability, and operational reliability.

cloud

Sue Cloud & AI Native Solutions

Engineer · Cloud Native Solutions

Design, implementation, and management of Linux infrastructure for enterprise organisations, with a focus on security, automation, and long-term maintainability.

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Pimarox Infrastructure Solutions

ICT consultant · Managed services

Management, migrations, and infrastructure consulting within complex Microsoft and mixed environments, with a focus on continuity, standardisation, and reliable service delivery.

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ASML

IT Process Controller · via Pimarox

Responsible for improving and streamlining IT processes within a high-tech manufacturing environment, with a focus on incident management, root-cause analysis, and continuous process improvement according to ITIL and Lean principles.

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STERK Web Solutions

Entrepreneur / developer

Development and operation of a Linux-based online platform, responsible for the full stack: from infrastructure and performance optimisation to application development and user experience.

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Achmea

Sr. service desk / quality coordinator

Improvement of IT processes and service delivery within a large enterprise environment, with a focus on quality, standardisation, and continuous improvement according to Lean and PRINCE2 principles.

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Interpolis

System engineer · via Pimarox

Management and further development of large-scale server and storage platforms within an enterprise environment, including virtualisation, DTAP processes, and business-critical infrastructure.

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ASML

Technical support engineer · via Pimarox

Technical support within a complex enterprise environment, with a focus on problem analysis and support for Sun Solaris and Windows systems.

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Savant, care organisation

Systems & network administrator

Responsible for managing and modernising the IT infrastructure, introducing open-source technologies to replace traditional Microsoft platforms.

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Rabobank

Desk site support agent

Workplace support and incident handling within an enterprise environment in the financial sector.

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Interplein

Assistant system administrator

Support for managing Linux servers, networks, and internet services within an innovative internet start-up.

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Own initiatives

Practical environments where ideas, automation, and infrastructure are not only designed, but actually built and operated.

Hosting and infrastructure platform

Development of my own hosting and infrastructure platform, focused on automation, security, and manageability. A practical environment in which architectures, processes, and new ideas are tested and applied.

Do you have a challenge around Linux, security, or infrastructure?

Describe your situation with no obligation. I am happy to think along about the approach, feasibility, and possible next steps.

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