Mike Walsh

Mike loves mentoring clients on the right Systems or High Availability architectures because he enjoys those lightbulb moments and loves watching the right design and setup come together for a client. He loves the architecture talks about the cloud - and he's enjoying building a Managed SQL Server DBA practice that is growing while maintaining values and culture. He started Straight Path in 2010 when he decided that after over a decade working with SQL Server in various roles, it was time to try and take his experience, passion, and knowledge to help clients of all shapes and sizes. Mike is a husband, and father to four great children and lives in the middle of nowhere NH.

5 Key Backup Strategies for Unbeatable SQL Server Security

June 19, 2024 by Mike Walsh

This post is part of our SQL Server security blog series, 30 SQL Server Security Checks in 30 Days. We’re publishing a new security check every day in the month of June. Visit our sp_CheckSecurity page to learn about our free SQL Server tool you can download and run to check your own server. There … Read more

SQL Server Security: Best Practices with CLR

June 18, 2024June 18, 2024 by Mike Walsh

sql common language runtime best practices for sql server security

Building a Consultancy: More Principles

February 26, 2024February 26, 2024 by Mike Walsh

sql server consultancy core values guiding principles

A couple of weeks ago, I started blogging about part of the journey of creating our SQL Server Consulting firm. I may someday work on more posts on the journey from full-time DBA to doing some side work to leaving with an “anchor client” to going off on my own (and my adventures with Linchpin … Read more

Building a SQL Server Consultancy

March 8, 2025February 12, 2024 by Mike Walsh

Principles and Values First In 2011, I set out to be an independent SQL Server consultant. At the time, if you told me I’d be looking back 13 years later as a “CEO” of a SQL Server Consulting practice with a team of 17+ FTEs serving 120+ Managed SQL Server DBA as a Service clients, … Read more

Maximizing SQL Server ROI in M&A

August 25, 2023August 25, 2023 by Mike Walsh

The Hidden Goldmine: SQL Server Due Diligence in Acquisitions Whenever I’m chatting with folks in the investment world, especially those eyeing product or “… as a service” companies that use Microsoft SQL Server, I’ve realized there’s a real need for clear, actionable insights on what to look for in a SQL Server environment. It’s not … Read more

Ask Us Anything Webinar (March 2023)

March 22, 2023March 7, 2023 by Mike Walsh

This month’s webinar is an opportunity to ask us anything related to SQL Server. Our team will hold a panel-style webinar to answer your questions (click here to submit a question before the webinar). Mar 22, 2023 01:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada) Click here to register:

SQL Server Upgrade/Migration Webinar

March 9, 2025December 9, 2022 by Mike Walsh

This month’s webinar ws all about SQL Server upgrades and migration. We covered the following topics: This topic is part of our monthly SQL Server webinar series. Webinar registrants get access to the entire recording, which includes the office hours Q&A. Check out the videos from the webinar series: Introduction Transcript Mike WalshSo hello, welcome … Read more