Head of IT
Emiraje Systems
مجموع سنوات الخبرة :20 years, 1 أشهر
Establishing initial IT infrastructure, as well as defining and articulating IT services strategy. Hired, trained, evaluated, and assigned IT staff, creating high-functioning team. Developed budget projections of up to $8M annually. Ensured integrity and continuous performance of IT network and systems infrastructure while maintaining high levels of security. Developed / certified all disaster recovery and continuity plans and procedures.
Key Achievements:
* Optimized EMIRAJA Systems' efforts to win $550M ECCS defense contract by facilitating set-up of IT infrastructure. Achieved clearance to host defense data by navigating though intensive security auditing / inspection process.
* Provided leadership and strategic vision to IT department, contributing to planning and policy-making committees. Also effectively prepared company for ISO 27001 / ITIL standards.
* Strengthened operations by maintaining synergy between development of new plans, policies, and procedures and company's goals and objectives.
* Provided critical knowledge transfer on deployed system by mentoring UAE army soldiers.
* Liaised with external vendors to facilitate creation of RFPs, bids, contracts, and agreements for systems operations and maintenance.
Directed planning, design, and execution of headquarters datacenter with accompanying remote disaster recovery site using HP servers, Sun Blade 6000 system, and SAN storages. Supervised, trained, and mentored IT staff. Promoted interconnectivity of branches using MPLS technology to cut costs and provide redundancy to branches and UAE stock markets. Held accountable for developing department's annual business plan, and operating budget.
Key Achievements:
* Accomplished company's core mission and goals by developing overarching IT strategies.
* Generated savings of 21% when migrating network to MPSL by negotiating cost trimming arrangements with Etisalat and virtualizing servers and storage.
* Spearheaded creation of branch datacenters in Sharjah, Dubai, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
* Ensured uninterrupted operation of IT infrastructure and services, as well as security from threats, including 24/7 nearly zero downtime in producing datacenter capable of handling ADX, DFM, and Nasdaq Dubai, Reuters, and Bloomberg trading.
* Complied strictly to required security / operation certificates and audits, interfacing effectively with The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).
Charged with guiding networking, servers, desktops, and system administration, having strong track record of uptime and scalability. Strengthened performance of IT infrastructure team through consultation, instruction, and mentoring, designing contingency plans in anticipation of unanticipated events and situations. Orchestrated purchase of hardware and software products with focus on quality and cost control, participating in evaluation of vendor offers. Ensured data integrity of Oracle database by performing daily backups and random backup tests.
Key Achievements:
* Championed several OEM product launches / releases of KnowledgeNet TradeNet X, encompassing both mission critical function - data integrity.
* Ensured optimal availability and response of trading environment by interfacing closely with Dubai financial markets and Abu Dhabi securities markets.
* Created duplicity between testing and live environments to achieve recognition of emerging issues, while minimizing problems.
* Generated fast and effective transmission of information from company by maintaining MIFS website, moving hosting locally.
Provided full-cycle management of ED Tech datacenter environment, including hardware and software, at all 17 locations (one centralized datacenter and 16 remote sites), ranging from maintaining and testing to moving and expansion. Communicated regularly with clients to address technical issues.
Key Achievements:
* Championed development of datacenter platform that seamlessly incorporated various solutions beneficial to program, instructors, and schools.
* Optimized performance of datacenter by analyzing technical problems and researching / testing new technology and security options.
* Identified state-of-the-art technologies that promised direct benefit to ED Tech program by executing continuous search and development function.
* Maintained connectivity VPN, monitoring all remote sites.
Networking Specialist, North America, January 2006 to May 2007
Held accountable for providing high quality technical support and issue troubleshooting for entire North American region. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with Nortel Magellan series (Passport and DPN) backbone high-speed switches. Controlled responses to network issues based on severity, and documented troubleshooting issues using Clarify case management system.
Key Achievements:
* Exhibited expertise in supporting and troubleshooting Cisco routers, Paradyne modems, and ASCU controllers, facilitating replacement and reconfiguration. Identified and resolved problems with ATM, Frame-Relay, X.25, DSL, ISDN, X.28, PPP, SNA, Type A, Type B, and VoIP.
* Facilitated migration of call / operation center from Atlanta, Georgia to Cairo, Egypt.
* Strengthened capabilities of 1st-level support agents by providing hands-on coaching and mentoring.
GPA in Major: 3.5 Golden Key National Honor Society
GPA in Major: 3.5 Golden Key National Honor Society