SARATH KARUNAKARAN
NETWORK & INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT
+971 552410429
sarathkarun@gmail.com
Excel as a Senior Network & Infrastructure Engineer, demonstrating dedication and expertise in the field. Seeking opportunities in UAE and international markets. Targeting roles in Infrastructure Management, Network Management, and SAP BASIS & Security to leverage extensive experience and certifications in the field Core Competencies
? FortiGate Firewall Configuration &Monitoring
? Firewall hardening
? FortiClient: EMS, clientconfigurations
? IPSEC VPN Connectivity
? Network Security
? Network Administration
? Infrastructure Management
? Database Backup & Restore
? Storage- NAS, SAN
? RAID configuration
? Disaster recovery
? SAP BASIS Support
? SAP Authorization Access
? SAP license compliance audit
? Anti-Virus Server Management
? Active Directory Management
IT Skills
? Office 365 Administration, license
compliance audit
? Office 365 Security
? Office 365 – On-prem to cloud migration
? Datacenter Administration
? Microsoft Windows Server Management
? MS SQL Database Backup & Monitoring
? SAP HANA DB backup & Monitoring
? ACRONIS Cloud Backup
? DATTO Backup Solution
? VMware Administration
? Hyper-V Management
? SAP BASIS Administration
? SAP Security & User Maintenance
? SAP Hana Monitoring
Education
? 2016: MBA in Marketing from Bharathiyar University
? 2008: B.Tech. in Electronics & Communication from Cooperative Institute of Technology, Vadakara, CUSAT (Cochin University of Science and Technology with 62%Profile S
Summary
? Extensive experience with overall 13+ years, with a focus on overall infrastructure, Network Management, SAP BASIS & Security. Currently holding the role of Sr. Network & Infrastructure Engineer.
? Possess in-depth knowledge of FortiGate Firewall configuration & monitoring, IPSEC VPN, FortiClient & Network Administration. Spearheaded administration of ACRONIS, DATTO Backup, VMware, and Hyper-V, ensuring data protection and system management. Orchestrated SAP BASIS Administration, supervising SAP security and implementing SAP HANA monitoring strategies for optimal performance.
? Championed the setup and management of multiple advanced Anti-Virus Servers, elevating cybersecurity protocols and fortifying system defenses.
? Optimizing Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Windows Server, and MS SQL DB backup
systems, enhancing data integrity and accessibility.
? Executed Active Directory management, streamlining user authentication and access.
? Strong ability to drive improvements in network security and infrastructure management.
? IT Infrastructure Specialist with excellence in gathering and understanding
requirements of stakeholders (at strategic and tactical levels), followed by translation
into functional specifications as well as provisioning of suitable solutions.
? Exhibited excellence in grasping the big picture, conceptualizing, developing and
implementing solutions, partnering closely with Business Leaders & Stakeholders to
achieve higher levels of efficiency & effectiveness; while also proposing network
? security, infrastructure on-premise upgrades, business continuity and disaster
recovery plans.
? Excels in providing network performance service covering variety of tasks, like
network performance audits, firewall hardening, and Network statistics analysis.
? Forward-focused Project Acumen with exposure in finishing projects with competent
cross-functional skills and ensuring on time deliverables within pre-set cost parameters.
? People Leader, who has successfully led and motivated teams in cross-cultural
? environment towards growth and success in the organization; created a clear &
compelling view of future through coaching and execution.
Work Experience
Abjar Computer (Gulf Group Holding Co. LLC.), Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Network & Infrastructure Support || May’11- Present
? Directing installation, support, and maintenance of network devices across Gulf Group
Holding LLC, encompassing diverse companies, including hypermarket chains.
? Configuring firewalls, routers, switches, and various network hardware elements for
optimal functionality.
? Ensuring site-to-site IPSEC VPN connectivity to branch offices from the data center,
? providing a robust and secure network infrastructure.
? Installing and deploying of the Anti-virus server manager (SEPM) across all systems
within the Gulf Group, enhancing cybersecurity measures.
? Monitoring security threats and recommended corrective and preventive actions,
fortifying the network against potential risks.
? Implementing regimen of periodic backups for databases, firewall firmware, emails, etc.,
tailored to the criticality of each system on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Certifications
? CCNA - Cisco Certification (Valid
through October 2022) CISCO
Certification ID: CSCO11472158
? Fortinet-Fortigate NSE1 Network
Security Associate
? Fortinet- Fortigate NSE2 Network
Security Associate
? Hemaya Security (GRA Govt. RAK)
Certification.
Courses
? SAP BASIS - System Administration
Course
? SAP HANA Administration
? AZURE AZ-900 (Udemy)
? Fortinet (FortiGate) Security Fabric
? Cisco – CCNA CCNP Courses
Personal Details
? Date of birth: 21st December
1985
? Languages Known: English, Hindi
& Malayalam
? Visa: UAE Work VISA
? Driving License: UAE & India
? Nationality: Indian
? Address: Al MIZAKI Building, Al
Nakheel, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
? Managing firewall firmware upgrades, ensuring timely renewals, replacements, and
other essential maintenance tasks.
? Configuring VLANs, inter-VLAN setups, and DHCP configurations, optimizing network
segmentation and resource allocation.
? Taking charge of installing and troubleshooting servers (Windows 2016, 2012), PCs,
and peripherals, ensuring functionality.
? Conducting proactive monitoring and maintenance of ACRONIS cloud backup solutions,
guaranteeing data integrity and system resilience.
? Managing and maintaining the DATTO Backup solution, implementing a robust backup
strategy for data protection, disaster recovery and business continuity.
? Strong technical expertise in Office 365 administration (around 300 users), including
Exchange Online Teams, security etc.
? Office 365 mailbox management, distribution groups, and email policy administration.
? Manage MS Office 365 user accounts, licenses etc.
SAP BASIS Administration || Aug’17- Present
? Executing daily Basis Administration tasks, ensuring post go-live support and
maintenance, robust transport system management, and end user access authorizations.
? Providing support for over 250 SAP users, ensuring a smooth operational experience.
? Took charge of clearing daily logs and monitoring backups, conducting health checkups,
and troubleshooting tera station backups for optimal system performance.
? Exhibiting expertise in SAP user access authorizations; restarts overnight and during
? weekends to guarantee optimal system performance, data integrity, and availability.
? Engaging in SAP Security Administration and Authorization tasks across multiple
company codes, handling activity groups and leveraging the profile generator (PFCG).
? Conducting periodic SAP license audits using the SLAW tool, presenting audit reports to
management and SAP upon request.
? Coordinating in SAP user administration, client copy, SMTP mail notifications &
? contributing to performance analysis.
? Planning and participating in maintenance, system refreshes, client-copies, and
upgrades, ensuring a well-coordinated and efficient process.
? Leading, managing, and facilitating meetings geared towards enhancing system stability
and overall performance of productive systems.
HCL Infosystems Ltd., Kerala || Network Engineer || Dec’10- Apr’11
? Configured routers and switches post-implementation, ensuring network functionality.
? Embarked on frequent travels to customer sites, prepared documentation, and delivered
progress reports to HCL Info-systems Ltd.
? Assigned and distributed manpower to various locations of Kerala Government Water
Authority
Expertise
? Managed and controlled procurement and operating costs through efficient workforce
utilization, contributing to financial optimization.
? Led pre-sales initiatives, collaborating with external partners, vendors, and customers
to research, develop, implement, and maintain cost-effective solutions.
? Supervised in-house and external CCTV installation projects, managing projects ranging
from 150 to 350 cameras.
? Secured a security engineer certification, under the General Resource Authority of the
RAK Government.
? Periodically performs SAP license compliance audits using SLAW tools.
? Directed the management of Microsoft Office 365 admin center, overseeing the
installation and configuration of client-side Outlook and third-party mail clients.
? Conducted periodic audits to review and confirm Office 365 license compliance for a
user base of 300, fostering a culture of accountability.
? Troubleshot technical issues, addressing challenges such as email delivery failures and
authentication problems with precision.
? Championed level 1 approval for procurement and sales of IT equipment, aligning with
the requirements of Gulf Group Holding Co. and ABJAR COMPUTER customers.
? Managed RFQ and LPO approvals related to IT hardware and software through SAP ERP,
ensuring seamless procurement processes.