PGD - Computer Hardware and Networking & Diploma in Electronics & Comm. Eng offering 16+ years of rich experience in IT Infrastructure, Networking and Security Domain, delivery of Large-Scale organization wide Projects, aligning cutting-edge technology with changing business requirements that benefited organizations, improved technical efficiency, high network availability and smooth 24x7x365 business operations.
Valued Operations Partner: Track-record of success in setting-up, configuration & maintenance of a secure, scalable & highly available multi-platform IT Infrastructure/ Data Center Operations including Network Solution Design, LAN/WAN/VPN, Cloud, Security, Firewall, Servers, Routers, Switches, OS, Hardware, Software and VoIP Systems for meeting current & future needs. Deft in managing complete Network and Security Infrastructure from infrastructure design, implementation, execution and maintenance, ensure the uptime of all the Network Systems for high end-user satisfaction and IT service delivery excellence. Focused Project Planner: Highly skilled in IT Project Management, successfully led Installation and Configuration of IT Equipment at Branches, procurement of hardware, software & AMCs, vendor negotiations, inventory and assets management.
Network / Cyber Security Expert: Proficient in Network Systems, Cyber & Cloud Security, implementation of Firewall, WAF, Load Balancer, Proxies, Antivirus & Security Tools for safeguarding the information resources and critical data of the company. Drove Process Improvement / Automation, Compliances, Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Plans for making organization future-ready in rapid-change environments.
Result- Driven Manager: Pivotal in working with cross-functional teams, vendors & diverse stakeholders, analyzing, logging, tracking & resolving complex software and hardware issues pertaining to networking connectivity, printer, server or application to meet business needs. Overcame IT Challenges using excellent problem-solving and analytical skills. AREAS OF EXPERTISE Strategic Managerial
- IT Program /Project Management - Network & Security Operations - IT Infrastructure/ Data Center Operations
- Network/OS Administration - IT Service Delivery Management - Process Transformation
- IT Budgets / Cost Control - IT Policies & SOPs/ Best Practices - Automation & Digitization
- Vendor / Stakeholder Engagements - Team Leadership / Trainings - Third-party/AMC Vendor
- Security Policies Implementation - BCP /Disaster Recovery Solutions - Troubleshooting / Technical Support
- Data Center Network Operations - Forcepoint NG Firewall Management - Security Audits/ Network & Cyber Security
- End User System/Network Support - Organization IT Infrastructure - Incident/ Problem Management
- Client Relationship Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Since Jun 2007: Al Fardan Group of Companies (Al Fardan Exchange LLC, Al Fardan Real Estate, Al Fardan Jewellery), UAE
Highlights:
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Managing & maintaining Data Center, Branch and Head Office Network Infrastructure as per defined SLAs/ Guidelines efficiency
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Pivotal in designing & implementing Network and Security Infrastructure, Network Systems Administration, Maintenance Security and Backups for always ensuring availability. Jun 2007 - Jul 2012: IT
Support Engineer
Jul 2012 - May 2016: Sr.
Sr.IT Coordinator
May 2016 - Jan 2019:
Team Leader - Network
Jan 2019 - Till Date:
Manager - Network
Systems
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Ensure timely maintenance of network Systems & Availability at all times.
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Ensure and support in network Systems Administration, network security and backups always.
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Working on Deployment of IT / Network related Projects, from scoping, SOWs, POCs, site visits, progress tracking, status reporting to timely delivery within time, cost & QA norms
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Implementation, configuration and management of Tier 3 Network Infrastructure includes NGFW Perimeter Firewall, Internal Firewall, L3/L2 Switches, WAF, Load Balancer, Proxies.
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Instrumental in identifying, diagnosing, isolating and resolving Organization Network infrastructure system.
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Leading & mentoring team members to ensure that the team achieves the defined performance targets. Imparting training to team on technology & projects
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As an L3 Engineer, providing end-to-end support and solutions to the end user within the defined SLAs.
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Directing Installation of all Network systems in Branches/Back Offices and Head Offices
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Driving adoption of new technology, tools and improvements to Network and Security Operations, so that are capable of handling emerging and future business requirements.
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Ensuring effective vendor management in terms of quality of product, and delivery. Supporting IT Purchase, networking with vendors / suppliers for purchase of Network hardware, software, licenses/AMC as per requirement
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Providing regular updates to stakeholders, on day-to-day IT operations, following-up with teams for task defined
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Promoting a Cyber / Network Security Culture. Investigating effectiveness of current security systems and recommending security solutions to mitigate threats and vulnerability.
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Designing Backup & Disaster Recovery Strategy ensuring scheduled / unscheduled backups as per plan, planning servers for backup and recovery of server / database information
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Conduct Mock DR Drill in every quarter and verify the application and network availability.
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Directing installation of Cisco call manager VOIP solution & MS Office 365 E-Mail Administration and Management
Forcepoint NG Firewall Expert
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Expert knowledge in implanting, Managing and Maintaining the Forcepoint NGFW firewalls.
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Currently handling 4 Data Center/DR Center, 80 plus branch firewalls and make sure the network availability 24x7
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Implemented necessary security feature in NGFW and established stable network connectivity from all the branches to DC and DR Sites with SDWAN/Multi link configuration.
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Successfully implemented the DC and DR perimeter firewalls with all the Tier 3 standard with HA in Firewall and SMC
For Al Fardan Financial Services (Earlier Career)
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Led Daily Trade/Feed Connectivity Establishment & Maintenance with Stock Markets, Back Office Sync Process, Connectivity Monitoring
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Handled Installation & maintenance of all client applications from Zag Trader and stock markets.
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Supported online customers in initial set-up and access issues and brokers, back office staff in application related issues
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Coordinated with the Application Vendor (Zag Trader) in resolving software related issues.
MAJOR PROJECTS
Al Fardan Exchange Core Application Migration to AWS Cloud (On Going)
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Al Fardan exchanges is planning to replace the existing remittance application to new which is to be hosted in AWS cloud.
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As part of this project, we have successfully created the landing zone, multiple AWS account with segregated UAT, Production, Network infrastructure account.
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Able to create the VPCs, Subnets, EKS, API gateways, Application Load Balancer, Network Load Balancer, Transit Gateway
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Successfully connected On Prime Data center to AWS account for all the data migration and API integration testing.
Business Partners Integration (On Going)
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Al Fardan exchange currently concentration more on digital platform.
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Stellar role in completing many integrations projects as Wage Payment/Card Payment system, Central Bank Wage payment system, Central Bank Aani App Project, EIDA system integration, Swift Alliance Connect, API integration, etc.
Mobile App (Alfa Pay) Migration to AWS cloud (2023)
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Successfully migrated the mobile app applications from Azure to AWS cloud.
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Set up a complete infrastructure in AWS (EC2 Instance, VPC, Subnet, Security Groups, VPN Gateway, Application Load balancer, Network Load balancer, Site to Site VPN, integration with business partners.) for Mobile app.
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Ensuring the High availability for the application.
Title: Mobile App (Alfa Pay) (2022)
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Alfa pay is the smart application recently introduced to the valued customer from AL Fardan Exchange for Money transfer/Foreign exchange and all other value-added service from Android/IOS platform.
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Collaborated with Mobile app service provider (M2P) to implement network infrastructure, including integration with payment gateway like NI and DAPI.
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Successfully implemented the infrastructure for the stable API access with proper load balancing, multiple proxies etc.
Title: Disaster Recovery Center (2021-2022)
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Built DR Center; designed, implemented, and executed network security infrastructure along with the managed service provider (Cloud4C) as per the industry standard of Tier3 Datacenter build.
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Successfully completed:
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Network infrastructure with all the business partners & branch connectivity from the primary data center.
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Mock test and simulation test from DR and verified all the application access and connectivity.
Title: Data Center Migration (2020-2021)
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Steered major project as Network Systems Manager; involved in design, implementation & execution of the network security infrastructure along with managed service provider (Cloud4C) as per industry standard of Tier3 Datacenter build.
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Documented pre-migration information for infrastructure. Implemented the perimeter firewalls for the internal firewall, Load Balancer WAF, and Switches in accordance to requirement and standard.
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Successfully configured branch/HO connectivity with Multilink and integrated around 100+ Business partner connectivity all over the world. Managed 25+ VPN, 100s static whitelist and Government Entity as Central Bank, Emirates Identity Authority over IPVPN.
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Stellar role in migrating & ensuring zero downtime from network perspective including 10 + internal application and over 100 + API Access
EARLY CAREER
Sep 2006 - Feb 2007: One Zero Computers Pvt. Ltd. | Hardware and Network Engineer Handled the Assembling, Installation, Networking & Troubleshooting of all types of Desktop PC. Assisted in Administration of Windows 98, 2000, XP Professional, 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Server & Professional Installation, Windows 2000 Core Printing & Remote Printing, DHCP, FTP, Telnet and DNS Server Configuring, Active Directory Creation and Communication Cable Preparation. Implemented and configured LAN Network
ACADEMICS & CREDENTIALS Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Hardware and Networking | 2006 Electronic Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIT), Hyderabad, India Diploma in Electronics & Communication Engineering | 2005 Under Board of Technical Education Bangalore, India Pursuing Certifications/Trainings: Pursuing Certified AWS Solution Architect Trained Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) (Training Institution: Infosec Train – India, Year: May 2022) Forcepoint NGFW Administrator (Trained from Forcepoint, Year: 2021)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) - Routing & switching) (Training institution: Regional Educational Institute, Abu Dhabi, Year: 2006)
Microsoft Certified System Administration (MCSA) – Windows Server 2003 (Trained in IIHT, Bangalore, India)
PERSONAL DETAILS
Date of Birth: 02-04-1985 | Address: Dubai – UAE | Marital Status: Married | Nationality: Indian
Languages Known: English, Hindi, and Malayalam
Visa Status: Employment Visa (Sponsor: Al Fardan Exchange LLC/ Expiry: 02/11/2025)
Driving License Details: Valid UAE Light Vehicle Driving License (Expiry: 05/08/2024)