Osama Melhem, IT Infrastructure Specialist

Osama Melhem

IT Infrastructure Specialist

Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET)

Location
United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi
Education
Bachelor's degree, Computer Systems Engineering
Experience
17 years, 4 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :17 years, 4 Months

IT Infrastructure Specialist at Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET)
  • United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi
  • My current job since November 2017

Recruited to manage and empower the enterprise network Infrastructure of ACTVET, Set standards and policies related to the IT infrastructure, comply with government security standards, manage and support services providers, lead projects planning, budgeting and implementation, provide the support needed for digital transformation project and ensure the quality of the services provided to TVET sector users and stakeholders.

Following are highlights of my duties and responsibilities in addition to the projects managed:


Manage IT Infrastructure contracts and outsource service providers.

Comply with government IT infrastructure and security standards and regulations.

Responsible for comprehensive administration and implementation of enterprise information systems.

Plan, direct, and coordinate the design, installation, and connectivity of computer systems and network infrastructure to ensure the stable operation of the IT systems.

Developing, configuring, maintaining, supporting, and optimizing all new and existing hardware, software, and communication links, including VOIP, Datacenter, security systems, surveillance systems and all other IT infrastructure components.

Responsible for monitoring the systems to ensure the highest level of infrastructure performance,

Manage the creation and maintenance of an effective backup Plan for all data processing, networking and systems platforms.

Manage IT Infrastructure Hardware and software budgeting process.

Plan, acquire, and coordinate installation of hardware and software across the system’s network.
Negotiating with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors to secure network products and services.

Ensure ACTVET published websites and services uptime to comply with industry standards.


Mange and Implements following IT Infrastructure and security projects including requirement gathering and design, prepare RFPs & scope of work, budgeting, bidders proposals techno-commercial evaluations, planning, Implementation, monitoring and control:

new Internet firewalls, fine tune security policies after replacing existing firewalls.

new Web-Applications firewall and Load balancer, implement new security policies after replacing existing WAF

Enhance the security of wireless network in all 20 campuses and change it from pre-shared authentication to 802.1x,

Install MS Advanced Threat Analytics, MS Advanced Threat Protection and MS Service Center Operations Management to improve the feasibility on cyber threats,

Migrate all Students and Faculty users from On-premises Exchange to MS O365 Exchange Online.

Web Monitoring Solution to monitor All ACTVET system websites and Published services uptime and get alerts when systems stops responding.

upgrade and replacement of wired and wireless network infrastructure in three campuses.

implement a mitigation plan for all security gaps found in security variability assessment to comply with NESA security controls.

Enterprise CCTV System in 9 Campuses including more than 2, 000 cameras and all other passive, active and systems requirements to implement end-to-end CCTV Solution.and Upgrade Enterprise CCTV system in 5 campuses including more than 500 cameras and integrate it with the other 9 campuses.

Consolidate and migrate services from three distributed datacenters to one centralized datacenter.

Procure, refresh, install and migrate switching infrastructure from one vendor to another in ACTVET HQ Office.

Procure, refresh and Upgrade CISCO Unified Workspace IP telephony from 8.5 to 11.0 and start new Call Center 11.0.

Upgrade MS Exchange environment from Exchange 2010 to 2016 and migrate it to newer infrastructure to enhance ACTVET mailing solution for admin users.

Implement PAM Solution to secure the privileged access accounts and enhance the systems security

Implement Network Access Control Solution in ACTVET HQ Office to manage the network access.

Sr. Computer Systems Engineer at Institute of Applied Technologies (IAT), Al Ain
  • United Arab Emirates - Al Ain
  • August 2010 to October 2017

Recruited to maintain and provide technology infrastructure services and business solutions, supervise and manage IAT Main Datacenter and ensure its adherence to standards and alignment with Corporate and Business Process Excellence needs. Responsible for IAT Enterprise CCTV system configuration, administration and support


Member of IT with the following responsibilities and duties
o Evaluate the IT infrastructure and prepare plans to guarantee the best usage of IT systems and to improve it.
o perform a periodic evaluation of all IT needs and prepare plans and yearly budgets to cover these needs
o Prepare a standardization for all required IT equipment.
o Be the focal contact point between IT suppliers and IAT.

Manage and Support Al Ain Campuses IT Projects, resources and operational systems.

Conduct IT Risk assessments of projects and process and provide recommendations and reports Head of IT.

Evaluate existing IT needs of all departments, propose recommendations to maintain and improve the quality of service and also plan, coordinate, and implement improvements in service

Ensure meeting the deployed architecture for infrastructure, servers, PCs and peripherals with service level requirements in terms of expected availability, capacity, continuity, security, performance and reliability

Identify recurring problem areas, articulating trends for root cause analysis and providing information to problem management. Ensure that assigned problems are defined and analysis in line with the Problem Management Process

Responsible for User’s Technical Training, Help Desk Support, Network and Hardware Support and Troubleshooting

Review vendor product specifications and drawings for data center equipment on assigned projects

Ensure performing backup / recovery functions on scheduled basis and administration functions for hardware, operating and application systems are maintained and completed on consistent basis

Prepare data center assessment reports and presentations in line with IAT audience level of expertise

Team Leader - Technical Support at The Islamic insurance Co. (TIIC)
  • Jordan - Amman
  • February 2007 to July 2010

Recruited to maintain standards in enterprise environment covering campus LAN, WLAN, Systems, End Users, and IT Security and any technology related matters. Responsible for TPA System and Oracle 10g Support and administration

Supervised technical support team to perform daily technical support task. Identified, assessed and evaluated network and IT systems requirements

Identified user needs, maintain integrity of the network, server deployment, security and responding to service outages and other problems

Determined, priorities, schedules and plans necessary resources to ensure completion of any IT related projects on schedule and according to specification

Established network specifications by conferring with users; analyzing workflow, access, information, and security requirements

Maintained and monitored VPN connections between branches and main office to ensure the maximum secured access to company systems and applications

Upgraded network by conferring with vendors; developing, testing, evaluating, and installing enhancements

Liaised with system developers to make appropriate changes in the system to maximize the efficiency according to work demands and users requirements

Ensured availability of data and processes to the end users resulting to a streamlined operation and business efficiency

Maintained IT systems such as file servers, VPN, and intrusion detection systems. Support LANs, network segments, Internet

Project Engineer at BITs-Jordan
  • Jordan - Amman
  • January 2009 to July 2010

Hired to develop project objectives by reviewing project proposals and plans; conferring with management

Determined project specifications by studying product design, customer requirements, and performance standards; completing technical studies; preparing cost estimates

Responsible for Networking and cable structure solutions, professional services and annual maintenance contracts, Websites design and development, Hardware and software procurement, Mobile applications development, Web and Email Hosting, Projects technical documentation and E-Marketing

IT Technical Support Engineer at Tamer Corporation for Medical Supplies
  • Jordan - Amman
  • May 2007 to December 2008

Recruited to install and configure medical appliances and software. Responsible for customers IT Support and Training (Virtually & Practically) in implementing Health Care Software’s in Jordan and Middle east

Coordinated with vendors and other computer support providers to ensure smooth running of IT systems. Handled Local Area Network (LAN) installation, configuration and troubleshooting

Developed new system to manage customers’, patients’ records Using MS access 2007. Developed, designed and managed company website

Education

Bachelor's degree, Computer Systems Engineering
  • at Al Balqa’ Applied University
  • January 2007

BSc In Computer Systems Engineering

Specialties & Skills

IT Security
Servers
IT Project Management
Networks
IT Infrastructure
Design and maintain all IT processes according to operation policies through standardization of me
Demonstrated success in the management of complete life cycle of projects including requirement de
Conduct on-site meetings, discussing project progress with teams to troubleshoot and resolve any i
Assist and support each stages of an IT project in detail, and investigate its effect on business.
Expert in Negotiate and administer vendor, outsourcer and contractors.
Define, prepare and implement relevant SLA’s and OLA’s (Operational Level Agreement).
Highly effective communicator and team leader with proven ability to build long-term relationships
Expert in managing IT contracts and services with partners and suppliers.
Ensure managing all IT changes to minimize downtime and risk of any inconvenience.
Identify, understand and give priority to urgent issues and work on cross-divisional IT operations
Present IT projects progress, risks and challenges to management and decision makers.
Develop, coordinate, delegate and plan work activities.

Languages

Arabic
Native Speaker
English
Expert

Memberships

Jordanian Engineers Associate
  • member
  • February 2010

Training and Certifications

CCNA (Certificate)
CCNP Switch (Certificate)
CCNP Route (Training)
Training Institute:
CISCO
Install and Configure Windows Server 2012 (Training)
Training Institute:
Microsoft
Apple Support Professional (Training)
Training Institute:
Apple
McAfee Web Gateway 7.3 Administration (Training)
Training Institute:
McAfee
Palo Alto Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) - PAN-OS 6.1 Version (Training)
Training Institute:
Paloalto
Office 365 preparations and administration (Training)
Training Institute:
Microsoft
Project Management Professional (Training)
Training Institute:
PMP
F5 ASM Module (Training)
Training Institute:
f5