Syed Khursheed Ali, Manager Data Centers

Syed Khursheed Ali

Manager Data Centers

MCB Bank Limited. (Recently Merged with NIB Bank Limited)

Location
Pakistan - Karachi
Education
Diploma, Certified Data Center Professional
Experience
33 years, 5 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :33 years, 5 Months

Manager Data Centers at MCB Bank Limited. (Recently Merged with NIB Bank Limited)
  • Pakistan - Karachi
  • My current job since July 2017

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Ø Data Center Management
o Management of Environment, Cooling & Power in DC
o Management of Servers, Systems, Hardware & Network Equipment
o Management of SolarWinds NMS System, for Monitoring & Status Reporting of all Critical Servers & Systems on the Network
o Health Check to reduce Hardware failures
o Bringing Improvements in DC environment
o Management of Data Centers & Branch Server Inventory, etc.

Ø McAfee ePO & DLP Management
o Installation setup, Administration & Management of McAfee ePO Servers & Security Policies
o Installation of DLP software & configuration
o Creating Standard Policies to control un-authorized use of USB Storage & CD/DVD
o UAT and testing of Policies
o Daily Monitoring of DLP logs
o Grant or Restrict USB/CD Temporary or Permanent Access to NIB users on need& approval basis
o Management of McAfee Updates, Policies & exclusions

Ø MIS / KPI Management
o Monthly/Quarterly/Yearly reporting of IT-KPI’s
o On demand MIS Reporting

Ø Security Compliance
o Ensure Compliance with IT Security Controls and Operations, by regular reviews of Access Control System Logs, Policies & Procedures.
o Development of Operation Procedures for Data Center.
o Coordination with Internal/External Auditors

Ø BCP / DR Coordination
o Development of DR Roles & Procedures, Disaster preparedness planning, etc.
o Coordination with all concerned units of IT Dept. for BCP / DR drill activity
o Updating DR document
o Time tracking & coordination b/w diff. segments, during drill
o Preparing final results of DR Drill

Manager Data Center & Systems (IT Systems & Infrastructure) at NIB Bank Limited - Formerly. (Currently Merged with MCB Bank Limited)
  • Pakistan - Karachi
  • September 2009 to July 2017

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Ø Data Center Management.
o Management of Environment, Cooling & Power in DC
o Management of Servers, Systems, Hardware & Network Equipment
o Management of SolarWinds NMS System, for Monitoring & Status Reporting of all Critical Servers & Systems on the Network
o Health Check to reduce Hardware failures
o Bringing Improvements in DC environment
o Management of Data Centers & Branch Server Inventory, etc.

Ø DR Data Center Re-structuring
o Introducing State of the Art Designing & Project Management for Re-structuring of LIVE(running) NIB DR Data Center
o Installation of separate over-head cable trays for Power & Network
o Redundant Power source from separate UPS in each rack
o Proper Grounding & Isolation using Isolation Transformers and separate Earth-pits
o Centralized Power setup separate from the DC area
o Proper placement of Top-flow HVAC Units and use of AC Ducts to create Proper Hot-aisle & Cold-aisle in DC

Ø McAfee ePO & DLP Management
o Installation setup, Administration & Management of McAfee ePO Servers & Security Policies
o Installation of DLP software & configuration
o Creating Standard Policies to control un-authorized use of USB Storage & CD/DVD
o UAT and testing of Policies
o Daily Monitoring of DLP logs
o Grant or Restrict USB/CD Temporary or Permanent Access to NIB users on need& approval basis
o Management of McAfee Updates, Policies & exclusions

Ø SBP DAP4 Web Portal
o Administration of SBP-DAP4 Portal for NIB Users
o Create New Users on portal
o Creation of SBP Certificate request and submit to SBP for signing
o Creation of Certificate from SBP signed file
Installation of Certificate on respective user PC
o Grant access to assigned reports to the respective users

Ø ActiveSync & BB Devices
o Management and configuration of all ActiveSync Devices
o Management of Black Berry Servers & configuration of Handhelds
o Facilitation of user requests, and handling day to day issues

Ø CRM
o Verify / Close all IT Complaint Tickets on CRM on a daily basis
o Coordination with 24x7 System Support teams for timely resolution of IT infrastructure System support issues, bottlenecks, Disaster preparedness, etc.

Ø MIS / KPI & Budget Management
o Monthly/Quarterly/Yearly reporting of IT-KPI’s
o On demand MIS Reporting
o Management of IT Budgets

Ø Security Compliance
o Ensure Compliance with IT Security Controls and Operations, by regular reviews of Access Control System Logs, Policies & Procedures.
o Development of Operation Procedures for Data Center.
o Coordination with Internal/External Auditors

Ø BCP / DR Coordination
o Development of DR Roles & Procedures, Disaster preparedness planning, etc.
o Coordination with all concerned units of IT Dept. for BCP / DR drill activity
o Updating DR document
o Time tracking & coordination b/w diff. segments, during drill
o Preparing final results of DR Drill

Ø Cash Management -Payments / Approvals /Agreements
o Preparation of Pre-Approvals, Purchase Orders & Post Approvals
o Management of IT Agreements / SLA(s)
Processing of Invoices
o Managing Petty Cash for IT
o Managing Shift Allowances of IT

Ø Others
o Have been assigned a role Fire Warden for the IT-dept.
o Educate staff for security measures at times of disaster
o Assist / Facilitate / Guide staff during Emergencies and planned drills.
o Managing all Stationary items for IT dept.
o Ensure Backup integrity and recovery coordination.
o Managing Librarian team to ensure Backup Inventory & Software Inventory is properly maintained.
o Coordinate with all IT Units to achieve better services for end users.

AVP - Information Technology (Infrastructure / Network / Systems / Support) at IGI Investment Bank Limited. (IGI Financial Services Group)
  • Pakistan - Karachi
  • July 2007 to January 2009

IGI Financial Services (IGIFS)consists of four(4) group companies:
* Investment Bank
* Insurance
* Brokerage
* Mutual Funds
IGIFS has a centralized IT Centre at the Corporate Head Office, having WAN connectivity with all IGI nation wide branches

RESPONSIBILITIES:
> Acting as a Team Leader of the Group Shared Services, for Network, Systems & Support
> Supervise / Maintain existing DC, ADC(s), Application Server, Hardware Systems, Network, etc
> Implementation and Administration of McAfee Total Enterprise Solution, using ePolicy Orchestrator Server for Centralized deployment & management of Mcafee Antivirus Agents and other antivirus products
> Administration & Implementation of KBox (KACE) NMS System, for Network Monitoring, Systems inventory, Centralized MS Patch management, Compliance management, etc
> Supervise/Maintain WAN/LAN connectivity
> Check Compliance of IT Policies and Procedures
> Supervise/Maintain Voice Communication
> Supervise/Manage Support Services for all users
> Evaluate and deploy new system/support applications
> Project Manager for IGI Group DRP Project. Responsible for coordination with process owners and develop strategy for recovery of Critical data.
> Project Manager for IGI Group DR Site Project. Responsible for the setup of a three-tier data center & implementation of the DRP.
> Ensure network backup integrity and recovery coordination along with disaster preparedness planning.
> Monitor and resolve performance bottlenecks in the IT infrastructure & ensure effective and quality installation and support.
> Define, design and implement proper controls & security policies, to safeguard systems, data and information, and provide proper guidance.
> Evaluate departmental effectiveness and initiate changes, managing the team toward improvement, through Strategic planning and proper guidance, & implementing new ideas and introducing new state of the art technologies.
> Supervise / Manage the IT GSS Team across the Group

Head of Information Technology at PICIC Asset Management Company Ltd.
  • Pakistan - Karachi
  • March 2006 to April 2007

RESPONSIBILITIES:
> Administration of all IT Assets including Hardware, Network, Software, etc. & recommendation of upgrades, whenever required.
> Administration of LAN, WAN, Electronic Emails, VPN, Internet & Intranet, including system stability, integrity & computer systems interfaces.
> Ensure network backup integrity and recovery coordination along with disaster preparedness planning.
> Monitor and resolve performance bottlenecks in the IT infrastructure & ensure proper resources are in place to provide effective and quality installation and support.
> Evaluate IT / Telecom software / hardware products & meet with vendors to assess new equipment and techniques, to manage and develop current and future IT business opportunities.
> Manage and plan implementation of projects involving the development, modification of IT application systems and all projects in the area of system administration, and their supporting methods and procedures & recommend improvements and assist in changes to best suit the business requirements.
> Facilitate necessary meetings and prepare necessary status reports to ensure project tasks are being completed in a timely fashion.
> Develop, document & execute new strategies for complex situations and conflict resolution.
> Define, design and implement security policies & proper controls, to safeguard systems, data and information, and provide proper guidance.
> Co-ordinate with departments / divisions to identify information technology needs & develop and implement various training and instruction programs for users on the use of operating systems, networking, applications, and databases.
> Evaluate departmental effectiveness and initiate changes.
> Manage the IT team toward improvement in the IT department, through Strategic planning & proper guidance, for managing, maintaining & improving the existing setup, by implementing new ideas and introducing new state of the art technologies.

Group Head of Information Technology at Alfalah Securities (Pvt.) Ltd. & Alfafah GHP Investment Management Ltd.
  • Pakistan - Karachi
  • September 2003 to December 2005

ACHIEVEMENTS:
> Designed & implemented the complete IT infrastructure & Voice infrastructure.
> Designed & implemented the complete UPS infrastructure for all the Servers, IT Equipment, and all user workstations.
> Responsible for purchasing of all IT related equipment, like Servers, Switches, Routers, Workstations, Printers, Scanners, Modems, etc.
> Responsible for purchasing of Licenses and Media of all Microsoft & other installed software, on Servers & workstations, as per company requirements.
> Independently installed & setup nine(9) Servers.
> Additionally, setup two(2) test servers in the respected departments, for testing the changes before implementing then on the Live DB Server.
> Installation & Setup of company’s Domain, email routing & Internet connection with ISP, over the Firewall.
> Setup & implementation of the custom office application systems on the servers, as well as the client application setup on user workstations.
> Coordination with vendors and concerned departmental heads for the development & customization of the various company application software, website development, etc.
> Providing technical advice / approvals to other departments for items such as PABX, VRM, FAX, BRI setup, etc.
> Proper implementation of the designed network policies, virus protection policies & security policies, etc.
> Managing a team of two, one Network Manager & one Database Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
> Over all administration of the complete network and communication, Servers, Workstations, Network Equipment and back-office application software, and all purchases of hardware, software and other accessories related to I.T.
> Administration of all the WAN Links, Electronic Mail, and Internet.
> Managing the IT team toward improvement in the IT department, through Strategic planning & proper guidance, for managing, maintaining & improving the existing setup, and by implementing new ideas, and introducing new state of the art technologies.

Head of Information Technology at Elixir Securities Pakistan Pvt. Limited. (Formerly - Indosuez W.I. Carr Securities Pakistan)
  • Pakistan - Karachi
  • October 2002 to August 2003

ACHIEVEMENTS:
> Installation & Setup of separate Primary Domain Servers, at corporate office & at Lahore and Islamabad Branches.
> Online migration of users, back-office application systems & data, etc., to the new server.
> Installation & Setup of a separate MS Exchange Mail Server.
> Online migration of user mailboxes, contacts & address books, etc., to new exchange server.
> Laying out the infrastructure of data & voice network cabling at new corporate office & at Lahore and Islamabad Branches.
> Installation & Setup of WAN links b/w the Corporate, Lahore & Islamabad offices.
> Installation & Setup of company’s Domain, email routing & Internet connection with ISP, over the Firewall.
> Installation & Setup of UPS systems, and all other network and communication equipment.
> Implementation of Fire Protection system for the Data Room.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
> Administration of the complete network and communication, of all the site locations. Administration of all the systems including Servers, Workstations, Network Equipment and back-office application software, and all purchases of hardware, software and other accessories related to I.T.
> Administration of all the WAN Links, Electronic Mail, and Internet.
> Managing the IT team toward improvement in the IT department, through proper guidance, and by implementing new ideas, and introducing new state of the art technologies.

Assistant Manager Networking at Indosuez W.I. Carr Securities Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited. (A joint venture with CAI Bank )
  • Pakistan - Karachi
  • May 1995 to October 2002

> Responsibilities included, managing the network and communication, managing all systems including Servers, Workstations and application software. Also responsible for all purchases of hardware, software and other accessories related to I.T.
> As a Network specialist, responsible for Administration and maintenance of all Servers, workstations and other Network Equipment.
> As a Communication specialist, responsible for all Lotus Notes Administration, MS Exchange Administration, and Internet Account Administration.
> As a Lotus Notes Administrator, I was totally responsible for Installation, configuration, implementation and administration of Lotus Notes Server and Client Machines. This also includes user level training, help desk and trouble shooting.
> As a Systems Operator of AS/400, responsible for administration of the system, as well as user maintenance, End of Day batch, managing print queues and job queues, backup, etc.
> Additional responsibilities include Monitoring our Routers, Firewall, VPN and VSAT connections, Trouble shooting of all network-related problems, Help Desk Operations and Consultant for all our computer users.

Freelance Trainer at Various Corporate Training Institutes
  • Pakistan
  • January 1999 to December 2000

> From time to time, I provide corporate computer trainings for various training Institutes as a Visiting faculty.
> Conducted corporate trainings for Standard Chartered Bank & ICI Pakistan.
>> Lotus Notes 4.6 Client.
>> Lotus Domino Administration.

Training & System Executive at International Information Technology (IIT)
  • Pakistan
  • April 1994 to May 1995

> Responsibilities included, training activities and systems development, Manage and Control Training Activities regarding Installing Software’s and prepare Hardware as requirement. Conduct various courses for UNIX, ORACLE, RDBMS, Networking and Multi-Media based training.
> Being a Computer Trainer, conducted training for different Banks, Lever Brother, Shell Pakistan, Paktel, Sandoz, HUB Power Company, Reckitt & Colman Pharma, and many more companies, with in Karachi as well as in Islamabad and Lahore, on special request.
> Worked as an Analyst of TNA (Training Need Analysis) process and conducted many TNA sessions for different organizations.
> Responsibilities also included the maintenance & support of the training equipment and training aids.

Analyst Programmer at Defense Officers Housing Authority
  • Pakistan
  • October 1992 to March 1994

> Responsible for development of operational software, such as Payroll System, Personnel Information System, Budget Forecasting & Management System. As well as Manage, control and conduct Computer and staff training of all level. Involved in different training and development projects.

Computer Programmer / Asst. Systems Administrator at Crescent Steel & Allied Products Ltd
  • Pakistan
  • January 1991 to October 1992

> Responsible for managing all systems under the DOS environment as well as handling the development of these systems being developed in Oracle under SCO UNIX environment.
> Also developed different systems in Data Star & FoxPro, such as Job Forecasting & Scheduling, Payroll System, Clients Information System, and Trial Balance System.

Computer Programmer at Aziz Akhai & Sons
  • Pakistan
  • January 1990 to January 1991

> Responsible for development and operations of different software’s, such as Invoice system, Inventory System, Personnel Information System.

Education

Diploma, Certified Data Center Professional
  • at EPI / EXIN
  • January 2015

Certified Data Center Professional from: EPI / EXIN, Certificate ID 5258499.20357983

Diploma, PMP
  • at New Horizon – Computer Learning Centers.
  • July 2008

Project Management Professional 35 hours Contract Training Program (Preparing for PMP Certification.) Member of Project Management Institute (PMI), USA

Diploma, IT Disaster Recovery Planning & Testing
  • at ICIL Business Training
  • July 2008

Workshop on "IT Disaster Recovery Planning & Testing"

Diploma, CISA
  • at SBS - School of Business Studies
  • June 2008

Certified Information Systems Auditor (Preparing for CISA 2008 Examination.) Member of Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), USA

Diploma, Business Continuity Management (BCM)
  • at The Institute of Bankers Pakistan.
  • September 2006

Business Continuity Management (BCM),Training Program. Member of The Business Continuity Institute (BCI), USA.

Master's degree, MS Computer Science
  • at Preston Institute of Management Science And Technology, Karachi
  • January 2005
Bachelor's degree, Computer Science
  • at PIMSAT Institute of Higher Education.
  • January 2003

BS - Bachelor of Science - Computer Science.

Diploma, ORACLE
  • at ORA-TECH Training Center.
  • August 1993

Six month Masters Diploma in Oracle 6

Diploma, Information Technology
  • at Petroman Computer Training Institute
  • June 1991

DCS - Two year Diploma in Computer Science

Diploma, Mechnical
  • at Jinnah Politechnical Institute.
  • July 1990

DAE - Three year Diploma of Associate Engineer - Mechanical

Specialties & Skills

Data Center
Integrity
Installation
Disaster Preparedness
Lotus Notes
Microsoft all BackOffice Server Products
Lotus Notes Administration
AS/400 Systems Operator / Administration
Project Management & Implementation of Complete I.T. Infrastructure
McAfee Total Enterprise Solution & ePO Server
KBox (KACE) NMS System
Project Management & Implementation of DRP Projects

Languages

English
Expert
Arabic
Intermediate
Hindi
Intermediate
Urdu
Intermediate

Memberships

Project Management Institute (PMI), USA
  • Membership
  • July 2008
Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), USA
  • Membership
  • August 2007
The Business Continuity Institute (BCI), USA
  • Membership
  • May 2006