✓ Strategic Cloud Operations Management: Spearheaded the design and execution of structured, process-driven cloud operations strategies to enhance the scalability, security, and reliability of cloud services, aligning with organizational goals and KPIs.

✓ Team Leadership and Development: Built and mentored a high-performing team of engineers, fostering a collaborative, cross-cultural work environment, and delivering consistent operational excellence. Established clear roles and responsibilities through structured team hierarchy documentation.

✓ Azure Cloud Infrastructure Management: Oversaw the end-to-end management of Azure environments, achieving compliance improvements such as >90% Azure Defender compliance and 100% patching compliance for Linux and Windows servers.

✓ Process Implementation and Automation: Defined and implemented critical operational procedures, including Change Management, Incident Management, Backup, and Patch Management, using tools like ManageEngine and Azure Backup and Azure Update Manager. Streamlined CI/CD processes to ensure efficient and robust deployments utilizing automation and Infrastructure as Code processes using tools like Azure DevOps, Terragrunt, and Terraform.

✓ Operational Excellence: Supervised daily tasks such as performance monitoring, backup validation, and security posture enhancement, while maintaining 100% critical system backups and adhering to best practices in disaster recovery and incident handling.

✓ SWOT Analysis and Scope Definition: Conducted detailed SWOT analyses and developed a clear scope for Cloud Operations, ensuring alignment with business objectives and proactive risk mitigation.

✓ Project and Stakeholder Management: Collaborated with stakeholders to review and update migration plans for over 54 critical applications. Defined and enforced governance processes to optimize the security posture of Azure resources.

✓ Training and Knowledge Transfer: Developed comprehensive training plans to upskill the team. Facilitated knowledge transfer sessions to ensure smooth handovers and readiness for managing cloud infrastructure.

✓ Portfolio and Documentation Oversight: Maintained a detailed portfolio of cloud operations, encompassing backup, disaster recovery, capacity planning, and performance optimization. Ensured the availability of up-to-date SOPs and centralized documentation.

✓ Disaster Recovery Planning: Developed and implemented robust disaster recovery strategies, ensuring minimal downtime and data integrity for critical applications.

✓ Continuous Improvement: Actively reviewed Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and Prometheus configurations, refining monitoring processes to meet dynamic business requirements and incident handling procedures.

✓ Mentor and manage a team of IT engineers, conduct performance evaluations and creating and the annual Plan and KPIs to align with the organization's strategy.

✓ Managed and led strategic IT initiatives, seamlessly coordinating efforts among stakeholders, internal teams, vendors, and solution providers to enhance the department operations.

✓ Directed the planning and successful execution of diverse projects from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

✓ Clarified and defined task scopes, accurately crafting project charters while adhering to best practices in project management.

✓ Led impactful presentations to leadership, articulating IT strategies and updates with clarity and precision.

✓ Oversaw the creation of RFPs, evaluation of solutions, and establishment of purchase orders, ensuring a smooth and continuous progression of IT projects.

✓ Guided the technical direction in areas such as IT infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Cloud and network management.

✓ Managed and ensured timely and quality deliverables from service partners, OEM vendors, and suppliers.

✓ Managed communications effectively, ensuring clarity and credibility in all interactions.

✓ Remain up to date with emerging technologies and industry trends to strategically position the IT infrastructure.

✓ Design and maintain a secure, scalable, and state-of-the-art technology infrastructure, spanning both on-premises and cloud environments.

✓ Overseeing the daily operations of the IT infrastructure and cloud section, which includes managing IT Procurement, IT Assets, Network infrastructure, and Security.

✓ Hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge in AWS cloud computing, including EC2, Block and object storage, Elastic load balancers, WAF, CDN, security groups, monitoring and logging, containers, CI/CD, Auto scaling, RDS, VPC, NAT GW, IAM, Security hub, Guard duty, AWS Macie, AWS trusted advisor…etc.

✓ Hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge in Azure cloud computing, including Virtual servers, Blob storage, Load balancers, WAF, Frond door, Azure VM scale set, Network security groups, monitoring and logging, ACI, CI/CD, VNET, Azure AD, Azure DNS, …etc.

✓ Hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge in Microsoft Office 365, including user management, security, mail flow, retention policies, OneDrive for Business, Teams, Azure AD, and Exchange online…etc.

✓ Designing and implementing network solutions or enhancing the efficiency of existing networks with in-depth knowledge in routing, switching, DNS, DHCP, VPN, Firewalls.

✓ Formulating and executing IT policies and procedures in line with industry best practices.

✓ Ensure alignment with ISMS ISO 27001, CIS Benchmarking, and Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) standards.

✓ Provide timely and appropriate computing resources to other IT sections for various developmental stages.

✓ Assist the Information Security Manager (ISM) in risk assessments, internal/external audits, and other security initiatives.

✓ Evaluate and implement emerging technologies and platforms to drive innovation within the university's IT infrastructure.

✓ Conducted system installation, configuration, administration, troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, performance tuning, capacity planning, monitoring, and security procedures for Windows and Linux servers.

✓ Managed hardening and maintenance of secure Microsoft and Linux systems.

✓ Evaluated new systems and tools; provided analysis and purchasing recommendations.

✓ Produced system documentation, including written requirements, operational specifications, system architecture, test plans, and as-built documentation.

✓ Ensured adherence to university processes and quality controls.

Technologies Used:

▪ Microsoft Systems: Windows Servers, AD, Exchange, Hyper-V, SCOM, SCVMM, SCCM, DNS, DHCP, FS, FTP, IIS, SQL, Group Policy Management.

▪ Virtualization: Hyper-V, Oracle VM (Manager, Server) in a Cluster Environment, Kernel Based Virtualization.

▪ Cloud Computing: Microsoft Azure, Office 365, Amazon Web Services, Hetzner, Digital Ocean.

▪ High Availability Hardware Systems Design: Cluster Management, Redundancy, and Failover Testing.

✓ Provided custom engineering and consulting services, specializing in information security, Windows systems, and network infrastructure. Managed internal information technology support services, including LAN and WAN administration and security administration.

✓ Performed information security risk analyses, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and regulatory compliance assessments with a focus on adherence to ISO 27001 standards and controls.

✓ Coordinated and executed Windows security projects for clients.

✓ Gathered and documented security requirements based on client interviews. Provided recommendations for system design or configuration based on client need and federal standards and regulations.

✓ Delivered analysis reports based on technology; identified vulnerabilities and % of compliance.

✓ Developed and published Information Security policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.

✓ Conducted wide data classification assessments and security audits.

✓ Collaborated with IT management, and the legal, safety, and security departments to identify, assess, and manage security vulnerabilities. Coordinated with end users to develop security awareness.

✓ Monitored, researched, and assessed emerging security issues or technology.

✓ Gathered and analysed Windows devices configuration and harden Windows devices.

✓ Conducted troubleshooting of Microsoft technology issues related to security and policy implementation.

✓ Planned daily activities to maximize output; ensured adherence to corporate guidelines and policies.

✓ Oversaw the creation and development of the Small IT Data Centre from initial launch, including installation, troubleshooting, data backup, maintenance, and migration of MS Windows server, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, VPN Connections and remote access, MS exchange server, ISA Server, IIS, Cisco routers and switches, ASA Cisco firewalls, network printers, Symantec endpoint antivirus manger, Kaspersky Open Security.

✓ Perform information security risk analyses, vulnerability assessments, and Information classifications.

✓ Implemented, monitored, and audited ISO 27001 controls and best practices baselines.

✓ Identified and resolves issues and conflicts within the team; provided local technology training to end users.

✓ Deployed system security controls and baselines based on company requirements.

✓ Managed the IT budget, including consumable purchases, expenses, and fixed assets.

✓ Set up, configured, and conducted troubleshooting of network users’ mailboxes, LAN, and WAN.

✓ Controlled Active Directory and profiles, database validity, database maintenance, system recovery plans, back up plans, and network security; applied proper user permissions to the network resources.

✓ Managed IBM POS cash line connectivity; controlled day-to-day activities as well as office automation section sales operation and display.

✓ Configured, supported, and conducting troubleshooting of electronics weighting scales.

✓ Provided PC hardware and software support to 100 end users; monitored users and systems.

✓ Managed stock take, inventory control, and validation.

✓ Managed ATS Machines and IBM® SMA® (Super Market Application) operations.

✓ Installed, configured, and maintained the company network; provided internal analysis and support.

✓ Set up, configured, and conducted troubleshooting of network users’ mailboxes, LAN, and WAN.