External Monitoring: What Insights Can We Gain?

External monitoring is a broad term that can be applied to various contexts, from website performance to video editing to corporate governance. In its simplest form, it refers to the process of regularly checking on something to gather information and assess its progress, performance, or compliance with predetermined standards. External monitoring is typically conducted by individuals or entities that are separate from the primary organisation or system being monitored, providing an impartial and objective assessment. This type of monitoring is particularly useful for identifying problems, ensuring transparency and accountability, and making informed decisions to enhance overall performance.

External monitoring can be used to check the performance of a website or application from outside an organisation's firewall

External monitoring is a way to check the performance of a website or application from outside an organisation's firewall. It is typically automated and focused on the customer or end-user perspective, asking the question: "can it run better?".

External monitoring is the opposite of internal monitoring, which runs inside your server and focuses on system resources. While internal monitoring is like giving your server a physical check-up, external monitoring is like getting a second opinion from outside the organisation. It must reside outside your infrastructure and can be challenging to manage in-house as it requires several locations to observe your site continuously.

External monitoring can be used to check the responsiveness of a website or application. For example, if you manage a website that has gone viral and your client starts complaining that their users can't access the site, external monitoring can help you identify the problem. It can also be used to check whether a firewall is blocking a website, app, or port.

There are a few ways to check if your firewall is blocking something. On Windows, you can go to Windows Firewall > Advanced Settings and check your Outbound rules. On a Mac, you can click the Apple icon > System Settings > Network > Firewall > Options to check your firewall settings. If there are no blocked IP rules but you still get a message about a firewall, the organisation that runs your network may have an external firewall set up.

External monitoring can also be used to stress test websites, web apps, and APIs. For organisations that restrict incoming connections from outside the network firewall, tools like LoadView provide methods of performance testing from within the firewall. This involves whitelisting specific IP addresses or using an on-site agent installed on a dedicated Windows Server inside the network.

It can be used to determine if there is evidence of compliance with a board's policy

External monitoring is a crucial aspect of governance and compliance, especially when a board evaluates CEO performance and organisational risks. It involves engaging an independent and objective third-party expert to determine if there is evidence of compliance with the board's policies and if the CEO's interpretation of those policies is reasonable. This process is similar to hiring a professional inspector or engineer when buying a house to ensure that everything is in working order and there are no hidden issues.

In the context of policy compliance, external monitoring serves as a form of due diligence, providing additional data for evaluating CEO performance and demonstrating accountability to risk-averse stakeholders. The board must identify a qualified third party with expertise relevant to the specific policy being monitored. For instance, a board may engage an auditor for external monitoring of financial policy items or seek the expertise of a lawyer, HR professional, or cyber security specialist for policies related to the treatment of staff, investment, or protection of assets.

The external monitor's role is to verify that the CEO's interpretation of the board's policies is reasonable and supported by evidence. They may also assess whether the rationale for the chosen interpretation is justifiable, including the relevance and currency of the research or industry practices cited. While not a direct part of external monitoring, the board may request an expert opinion on the robustness of its policy criteria to address specific risks effectively.

By utilising external monitoring, boards can gain independent verification of policy compliance, mitigate risks, and make more informed decisions. It provides an additional layer of assurance that the organisation is meeting its regulatory and internal process obligations, guarding against liability, data breaches, and costly regulatory fines.

It can be used to monitor video playback

External monitoring can be used to monitor video playback. This is a feature that allows users to view their video editing process on a separate display or screen. This is particularly useful for video editors who want to see their work in full screen or on a larger display while they are editing. It provides a real-time preview of the video project, enabling editors to make precise edits and adjustments.

The external monitor can be any display device that is connected to the computer, such as a television, projector, or another computer monitor. This feature enhances the editing process by providing a larger and more detailed view of the video, making it easier to spot and correct any errors or imperfections. It also allows for a more immersive viewing experience, which can be beneficial when editing complex video projects.

To use external monitoring for video playback, you need to have a secondary display connected to your computer. Once you have this setup, you can use the "Preview" feature in your video editing software to monitor your video on the external display. This method allows you to view your video on a larger screen while you are editing.

It's important to note that the quality of the preview will depend on the resolution of your external monitor and the quality of your video. For the best results, ensure your external monitor has a high resolution and your video is of high quality. Additionally, check that your external monitor is properly connected to your computer and that the correct input source is selected.

Overall, external monitoring for video playback can be a valuable tool for video editors, providing a more immersive and detailed view of their work, enabling them to make more precise edits and enhancements to their video projects.

It can be used to monitor the status of downstream contactors

External monitoring is a way to gain insight into the performance of a system or entity by observing it from the outside. In the context of monitoring the status of downstream contractors, external monitoring can be a valuable tool for managing risks and ensuring optimal performance.

Downstream contractors are those who are subcontracted to work on a project, and they introduce a set of unique risks to the primary contractor or client. By employing external monitoring, the main contractor or client can gain visibility into the operations and performance of these downstream entities. This monitoring approach can provide real-time insights into the status of the downstream contractors' work, allowing for prompt identification of any issues or problems.

One way to achieve this is through the use of external device monitoring (EDM). EDM involves connecting the auxiliary contacts of positively guided contactors to the external monitoring device. When the OSSDs are switched off, the external monitor checks if the contactors drop off, providing an indication of the downstream contractors' status. This method ensures that any issues with the contractors' performance or equipment are promptly identified, enabling timely corrective actions.

Additionally, external monitoring can help assess the financial viability of downstream contractors. This is crucial as financial instability or insolvency of a subcontractor can have a significant impact on the primary contractor or client. By monitoring cash flow, profit estimates, and balance sheet projections of downstream contractors, the main contractor can make informed decisions and mitigate potential financial risks.

Furthermore, external monitoring can also extend to examining the safety history and reputation of downstream contractors. This is particularly important in industries such as construction, where safety is a critical concern. By monitoring safety records and seeking reference letters, the primary contractor can ensure that the downstream contractors adhere to safety standards and have a positive track record in this regard.

It can be used to monitor the performance of a website or application from inside an organisation's firewall

External monitoring is a critical aspect of website and application management, providing valuable insights into performance and user experience. One of the key advantages of external monitoring is its ability to assess a website or application's performance from the perspective of users, answering the question: "Can it run better?". This type of monitoring is typically automated and resides outside the organisation's infrastructure, often requiring multiple locations to continuously observe the site.

When it comes to monitoring a website or application from inside an organisation's firewall, there are several methods available. One approach is to use special hardware appliances to monitor internal applications and identify performance issues related to application design, internal infrastructure, or connections to the public internet. This type of internal monitoring can help pinpoint problems with system resources, such as disk space, bandwidth, CPU usage, and general network traffic.

Another method is to utilise third-party website performance monitoring solutions. These tools can monitor internal applications behind the firewall, providing insights into how well the applications are functioning within the organisation's network. By whitelisting specific IP addresses, third-party services like LoadView can access and test applications that are not publicly available over the internet. This approach offers flexibility in load testing internal applications and ensures compatibility with various browsers, devices, and technologies.

Combining internal and external monitoring provides a comprehensive view of website and application performance. While internal monitoring shines a light on resource-intensive application components, external monitoring reflects the user experience and helps identify potential bottlenecks. Together, these monitoring strategies enable organisations to optimise their digital offerings, ensuring minimal downtime and exceptional performance.

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