IT Security, IT Operations Management, Disaster Recovery

BENJAMIN BKENGIL

MBA, CISSP, ISO/IEC ***** – LEAD IMPLEMENTER, MCSA, MCSE, CCNA

Post Office Box C1541, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana, West Africa Email: *******@*****.*** • Mobile: +233-***-******, +233-***-****** PERSONAL PROFILE

A results-driven IT professional with over thirteen (13) years’ experience driving business profitability through innovative Information technology solutions. Expertise includes IT Security, IT Operations Management, IT recruitment and Disaster Recovery with experience leading or supporting IT Projects with medium to high complexities. A customer-focused individual with a strong passion for excellence in leadership. JOB-SEARCH OBJECTIVE

Presently looking to join a company that rewards results and initiative with progression and development opportunities available to its employees.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Strategic IT Planning/Dev’t • IT Security/Risk Management • IT Compliance /Auditing

• IT Service Level Agreements • IT Project Management • IT Budgeting

• Datacentre Migration/ Relocation • LAN/WAN Technologies • Server Virtualisation

• System Security & Data Protection • Backup and Disaster Recovery • System Migrations/Upgrades

• Technical Specifications/Analysis • IT Recruitment • Network Management

• High System Availability • Systems Administration • Microsoft Azure

• Office365 • PCI DSS • ITIL

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Bank of Africa - Group BMCE Bank, Ghana

BANK OF AFRICA is one of the commercial banks licensed by the Bank of Ghana, the Central Bank. Head (Network & Systems Infrastructure) Oct. 2017 – Date Manages the Network and Systems Infrastructure Unit of the IT Department. Ensures that Network and System Infrastructure resources adhere to global IT Security best practices. Supervises the work of the Systems Administrator, Network Administrator and Computer Hardware Technician. Ensures that network and system infrastructure resources are always available to deliver needed IT services. Some of specific responsibilities includes the following:

Duties

Assistant to the Head (IT);

Member of IT Steering Committee

Prepares and reviews the budget of the Unit/Department

Implements appropriate IT risk and Security solutions against cybersecurity threats

Reviews and maintain SLAs with 3-Party Service Providers

Plans, designs, and implements appropriate LAN/WAN systems;

Ensures the availability and access of Network and Systems services 24/7;

Plans and coordinates the unit’s activities, workflows and projects;

Liaises with Head IT and other HODs in the timely resolution identified issues;

Periodically trains new Unit members/existing ones on customer service or identified skill gab;

Prepare weekly performance reports to Head (IT);

Researches and recommends innovative ways for improving confidentiality, integrity, and availability of existing systems;

Served on Interview Panels for the recruitment of the ideal candidate in the IT Department. Achievements

Ensured the continuous protection of network & system infrastructure assets against cybersecurity attacks;

Improved responsiveness of Unit by 50% through team members training on identified skill gabs;

Improved the awareness of Management to critical IT information through the timely dissemination of vital information that affects the bottom-line.

Systems Administrator Bank of Africa – Group BMCE Bank, Ghana Jan. 2013 – Oct. 2017 Oversees the day-to-day management and performance of systems infrastructure resources i.e. Servers, PCs and related hardware. Ensures all system infrastructure resources adhere to global IT security best practices. Manages virtualization platform and storage infrastructure. Configures and maintains the availability and performance of critical business services. Prepares and submits weekly performance reports to Management. Some of the specific responsibilities include:

Duties

Oversees the day-to-day operation of datacentre at HQ & DR site i.e. access control, power, cooling, humidity, etc.;

Oversees the day-to-day operation and performance of Physical and Virtual Servers;

Provides product specifications for the purchases of Computer Hardware (Servers, PCs) and related equipment;

Configures and maintains the availability of critical business services i.e. AD, Email, Swift, ATMs, Shared Folders, etc.;

Configures and maintains current update of operating systems, antivirus and anti-malware solutions;

Ensures System availability and performance by tuning and monitoring system and application logs;

Assists the BOA Group IT Project Teams on technical issues during the implementation of Key Projects;

Plans and implements Server and PC security through user access control, host firewall, and file-level permissions;

Researches and recommend innovative ways for improving existing systems;

Develops and conducts end-user training for system users;

Prepares and submits weekly performance reports. Achievements

Ensured the successful relocation of datacentre from an old head office to a new location while maintaining the availability of critical IT services;

Ensured the continuous protection of system infrastructure resources against cybersecurity attacks;

Reduced new server creation and deployment time up to 50%.

Reaped about 50% savings in power and cooling costs through virtualization and physical server consolidation.

Simplified disaster recovery time utilizing innovative solutions Public Services Commission, Ministries, Accra, Ghana An independent state institution established to manage the human resources of the Public Services of Ghana. Head of IT March 2003 – Dec. 2012

Manages and maintains the local area network (LAN) infrastructure of the Commission. Supervises the installation and configuration of Client/server operating systems. Manages and maintains an active directory and Microsoft exchange emailing infrastructure. Performs monitoring, evaluation and training tasks to ensure LAN performance meets organization and user requirements. Some specific responsibilities include: Duties

Overseeing the day-to-day management of the IT function of the Commission

Designing, implementing and maintaining the IT infrastructure resources of the Commission

Provides product specifications for the purchases of new servers, personal computers, computer networks, and related equipment.

Administers and maintains the availability of critical business services i.e. AD, Email, Shared Folders, etc.

Plans and implements network security, including configuring firewalls, managing host security, file permissions, backup and disaster recovery solutions.

Develops and conducts training for end-users to maximize effective use of networks and computing resources.

Serves on interview panels for the recruitment of ideal candidates into the IT class of the Public Service Achievements

Ensured the continuous protection of the Commission’s IT resources against cybersecurity attacks;

Implemented and managed a Local Area Network (LAN) to assist in effective flow of information across the Commission.

Improved staff knowledge on the use of Microsoft and other applications through onsite user training.

Enhanced the dissemination of information between the Commission and its clients through the implementation of a public website.

Ensured that candidates with the right competence were engaged in the Public Service. PROJECTS MANAGED/SUPPORTED

PROJECT TEAM MEMBER Bank of Africa – Group BMCE Bank, Ghana June 2019 - Sept 2019 Project Title: Implementation of an ISMS and BCMS for Bank of Africa based on ISO 27001 & ISO 22301 Standards Expectation: To deliver a functional ISMS and BCMS for Bank of Africa. Duties:

Provision of information on Bank of Africa for the ISMS Organisational Context

Provision and discussion of information to the determination of appropriate ISMS Scope

Identification of critical IT business processes

Identification of the risks associated with identified critical business assets

Identification of appropriate risk treatment plans

Assisting in the development of the Statement of Applicability (SOA) PROJECT TEAM MEMBER Bank of Africa – Group BMCE Bank, Ghana Sept 2017 – Dec 2017 Project Title: Implementation of IT Privileged Account Management Solution (WALLIX) Expectation: To deliver this project against agreed scope, budget, schedule & customer expectations. Duties:

Assembly and Racking of Wallix Appliance

Configuration of Wallix Appliance to access appropriate VLAN

Creation of rebound servers for IT Administrators and service providers

Creation of Wallix account for the importation of AD users

Creation of Local Accounts for the Administration of WAB Appliance Achievements

Centralized monitoring and management of IT privileged accounts.

Real-time recording of privileged account activities providing audit trail playback. PROJECT TEAM MEMBER Bank of Africa – Group BMCE Bank, Ghana Nov. 2016 – Feb 2017 Project Title: Relocation of Datacentre Infrastructure from Old Head Office to the new Head Office. Expectation: To ensure a smooth transition of datacentre infrastructure with minimal downtime while maintaining the availability of critical IT services during the migration period. Duties:

Coordinating with third-party solution providers in the preparation of new datacentre environment i.e. Rack positioning, clean power availability, environmental monitoring systems (temperature & humidity), airflow circulation;

Mapping of cabling connections and ducting for server hardware and networking equipment;

Dissembling and Reassembling of datacentre infrastructure servers, storage systems, network devices, and other equipment;

Ensuring availability of IT Services through the Disaster Recovery site (i.e. ATMs, Online Banking, etc.) during the migration period;

Escalating promptly any issues that may affect my role and the project to the Project Manager. Achievements

Availability of IT Services to bank’s customers during the migration period;

Availability and performance of a datacentre running at optimal capacity after the migration period;

5% System downtime during the migration window;

PROJECT LEAD MEMBER Bank of Africa – Group BMCE Bank, Ghana March 2014 – April 2014 Project Title: Implementation of an IT Helpdesk Support System for the staff of Bank of Africa. Expectation: To provide a platform that enables staff request for assistance on IT-related issues. Duties:

Providing strategic direction during planning and project implementations;

Monitoring project scope and risks;

Identify potential problems and the needed solutions to address them in advance;

Escalating promptly any issues that may impact operations;

Managing the bank’s expectations by ensuring the delivery of the highest quality of service;

Monitoring team members & team performance.

Achievements

Provided a platform for reporting IT issues that require IT’s assistance;

Provided a platform for keeping track of incidents and workflow management;

Provided a basis for End-user training and System modifications. PROJECT TEAM MEMBER Bank of Africa – Group BMCE Bank, Ghana July 2013 – October 2013 Project Title: Implementation of Network Access Security System on existing Local Area Network Infrastructure. Expectation: To implement a security system that controls LAN access at the Access Layer of the bank’s network infrastructure.

Duties:

Configuring Cisco Access switches with port security parameters;

Configuring Cisco Access switches with DHCP snooping parameters;

Escalating promptly any issues that may affect operations to the Project Manager;

Managing the bank’s expectations by ensuring the delivery of the highest quality of service;

Acting on the Project Manager’s feedback on performance. Achievements

Provided a layer of security at the Network Access Level that controlled access of end-users;

Provided a platform to monitor port-level security at the Network Access Level;

Provided an additional layer of security to the overall security infrastructure of the bank’s network. PROJECT TEAM MEMBER Bank of Africa – Group BMCE Bank, Ghana April 2013 – May 2013 Project Title: Virtualisation of existing physical server infrastructure into software-based forms or virtual machines. Expectation: To convert all physical server infrastructure into Virtual Machines (VMs) using VMWare Technology. Duties:

Converting physical servers into VMs and addressing any issues in advance;

Uploading VM image files to ESXi accessible storage infrastructure for testing and validation;

Escalating promptly issues that affect my role and the project to the Project Manager;

Ensuring the bank’s expectations by delivering the highest quality of services;

Acting on the Project Manager’s feedback on performance. Achievements

Gained 50% savings in the cost of power and cooling through VMWare Server Consolidation;

Server creation and deployment time reduced by 50%;

Able to make an image-based backup and restore in less time;

Simplified disaster recovery Management.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Excellent Leadership;

Passion for Excellence;

Customer Service focussed;

Good communication skills;

Good Written Communication skills;

Attention to Detail;

Conflict Management skills;

Good Team Player;

Critical Thinker;

Organizational and planning skills;

Strong focus on task completion

TRAINING PROGRAMMES/SEMINARS ATTENDED

OVER-SEAS TRAINING PROGRAMMES

Certificate, Fortinet NSE4, Casablanca, Morocco, March 2019.

Microsoft Exchange 2013 Installation, Administration and Management, Cotonou, Benin, (Dec. 2015)

VMWare Server Virtualisation and Veeam Backup & Replications, Dakar, Senegal, (Nov. 2014)

Seminar on the Popularisation of Science & Technology and Capability Improvement of Human Resources, China,

(August 2012)

Study Visit to the Australian Public Service Commission on the Design, Implementation, and Management of the Australian Public Service Employee Database (APSED), Australia, (March 2012) LOCAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES

Certificate, ISO 27001 Lead Implementer, Training Heights, Accra, May 2019.

Certificate in Project Management, National Banking College, Accra, March 2015.

Certificate in Server Virtualisation (VMWare & HyperV), National Banking College, Accra, April 2013. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Member (Bank of Africa Leadership Development Programme), Busara-Africa, 2013- 2016 PERSONAL INFORMATION, AWARDS, AND QUALIFICATIONS DETAILS PERSONAL INFORMATION

Driving license: Yes

Nationality: Ghanaian

Languages: English

AWARDS RECEIVED

Overall Best Student, BSc (Information Technology), Sikkim Manipal University, 2012

The employee of the Month (Bank of Africa, Ghana), 2014 SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Certificate ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer – Cert No: ISLI1048468-2019-07

Certificate (Certified Information Systems Security Professional CISSP) – Cert No/ID number: 643751

Certificate (Cisco Certified Network Associate CCNA, Routing & Switching) – Cert No: CSCO13257039

Certificate (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert, MCSE) – Cert No: G417-1446

Certificate (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate, MCSA) - Cert No: G417-1024

Certificate (Microsoft Certified Professional) - Cert No: G413-1605

Certificate (Information Security & Audit, ISO 27001)

Certificate (Microsoft Exchange Server 2013)

Certificate (Project Management)

Certificate (VMWare & HyperV Virtualisation)

Certificate (VMWare Virtualisation & Veeam Backup and Replication)

MBA (Project Management)

BSc (Information Technology)

TERTIARY EDUCATION

2013 - 2015 Sikkim Manipal University, India (MBA, Project Management)

2010 - 2012 Sikkim Manipal University, India (BSc, Information Technology) PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION CREDENTIALS

REFERENCES

Submitted upon Request

Contact this candidate