>     disable root for ssh logins and run ssh on an alternative port. When
>     'scp'ing files I usually scp them up, then ssh in 'su' root and move
>     them to /var/www/html.
>      >
>      > I can sftp I realize, but what group can I add my personal
>     account to, but not root, so I can sftp in and put the files in
>     /var/www/html?
>
>     There are a dozen ways to do this. One is to uplodate with WebDAV over
>     HTTPS, which is built into Apache on CentOS and has plenty of usable
>     clients such as lftp. Another is simply to designate a directory under
>     /var/www/html/, owned by you personally, that the apache user can
>     browse. That give you direct upload access as yourself.