Cloud Infrastructure Active Directory

SENIOR PROFESSIONAL

As a Cloud Infrastructure Specialist with rich experience in AWS and Azure, I aim to leverage my expertise in cloud computing, Windows/Linux administration, VMware, firewall management, networking, and storage to contribute to the growth and success of an innovative organization. I am committed to continuous learning and development, eager to bring value through streamlined solutions and automation-driven processes in a collaborative team environment. A R E A S O F E X P E R T I S E

Cloud Infrastructure Management

Systems & Server Management

Security & Networking

Database & Web Technologies

Enterprise IT & Cloud Management

IT Optimization

Cloud AWS Azure

Cloud Migration

Scalability & Elasticity

ITIL Service Management

Incident Management

Problem Management

Change Management

IT Service Continuity

Performance Tuning

Compliance & Security Awareness

Problem-Solving Aptitude

P R O F I L E S UMMARY

Results-driven IT Professional with 12 years of experience in cloud infrastructure, security, system administration, and IT management. Proven track record of leading large-scale cloud migrations, Windows & Linux server management, cloud strategy, and infrastructure planning across diverse industries. Expert in designing, implementing, and securing cloud environments, with deep proficiency in AWS, Azure, and hybrid cloud architectures. Skilled in Windows/Linux system administration, VMware virtualization, network & firewall management, and storage solutions, ensuring seamless IT operations. Adept at driving digital transformation, enhancing cybersecurity postures, and optimizing IT environments to support business growth. Proficient in administering Windows, Ubuntu, RedHat, CentOS, Oracle Linux, and AWS Linux, along with Active Directory, Group Policy, Security Groups, and Service Accounts for seamless enterprise operations. Adept at managing Azure Active Directory, AWS, and Office 365 environments, leveraging Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for scalable cloud deployments. Extensive experience in VMWare ESXi, serverless frameworks, and network security, with in-depth knowledge of LAN/WAN, routers, switches, access points, and firewalls (Check Point, Cyberoam, Sophos, Fortinet). Skilled in server hardening, cybersecurity awareness, CNAPP+ solutions, and compliance with information security standards. Strong expertise in Oracle/MySQL database management, Oracle APEX, ORDS, and Jasper Reports integration. Hands-on experience with web servers like Glassfish, Tomcat, and Nginx, optimizing performance for mission-critical applications. T E C H N I C A L S K I L L S

Operating Systems & Server Management

Windows Server (Active Directory, Group Policy, Security Groups, Service Accounts)

Linux (Ubuntu, RedHat, CentOS, Oracle Linux, AWS Linux)

Windows & Linux Server Administration, Hardening, Security Compliance Cloud Platforms & Infrastructure

Azure, AWS, Office 365 Cloud Administration

Azure Active Directory (AAD) Administration

Cloud Strategy Development & Infrastructure Planning

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) – ARM Templates, CloudFormation, and Lambda Functions

Serverless Frameworks & Microservices Architecture Virtualization & Networking

VMWare ESXi, Virtual Machine Management

LAN/WAN Infrastructure, Network Administration

Routers, Switches, Access Points Configuration

Firewalls & Security Solutions (Check Point Cloud Guard, Cloud Guard WAF, Cyberoam, Sophos, Fortinet) Security & Compliance

Identity & Access Management (IAM), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Server Hardening, Cyber Security Awareness, Information Security Standards

CNAPP+ Solutions (Cloud Native Application Protection Platform)

Disaster Recovery (DR) & Business Continuity Planning (BCP) Storage & Backup Management

Storage Administration & Optimization

Backup & Recovery Policies (Veritas NetBackup, Commvault)

Disaster Recovery (DR) Measures & Business Continuity Planning Database Administration & Development

Oracle & MySQL Database Management

Oracle APEX, Oracle REST Data Services (ORDS)

Jasper Reports Integration for Data Visualization Web & Application Servers

Web Server Administration: Glassfish, Tomcat, Nginx

Application Deployment & Performance Optimization RAFIK AHMMED M

Mobile: +917********* / +971*********

E-mail: *****.******@*****.*** Location: Bengaluru, India LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafik-ahmmed-m-9713a919/ P R O F E S S I O N A L C E R T I F I C A T I O N S & T R A I N I N G S

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, 03/09/23

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate, 07/01/22

ITIL Training

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE - 2008)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA - 2008)

W O R K E X P E R I E N C E

May 2024 - Jan 2025: Engro Technologies LLC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, UAE IT Consultant

Configured and managed AWS Landing Zone with Control Tower, guardrails, and Service Control Policies (SCPs) for a secure, scalable multi-account environment

Integrated AWS Cloud with Check Point Cloud Guard, enhancing compliance and threat prevention

Led IAM security assessments, implemented IAM policies & roles, and integrated Azure SSO for seamless hybrid identity management

Enforced security best practices using AWS Security Hub, Guard Duty, and Check Point CNAPP solutions

Designed and optimized AWS networking, including VPCs, Transit Gateways (TGW), IGWs, NAT Gateways, Route 53, and ELBs for high availability

Managed EC2, Auto Scaling, S3 (Glacier, versioning), EBS, and RDS, ensuring resilient business operations

Deployed serverless architectures with AWS Lambda and Event Bridge to automate workflows

Centralized VPC Flow Logs, CloudWatch monitoring, and CloudTrail for governance and real-time incident detection

Architected scalable Azure infrastructure, including VNet, Storage Accounts, and Resource Groups, optimizing performance and cost

Configured Azure AD (AAD) with RBAC for secure identity management and Azure Key Vault for encryption

Developed automation scripts using Azure CLI & PowerShell, streamlining deployments and resource optimization

Administered Check Point WAF, Cloud Guard, and Network Security solutions for comprehensive security management

Spearheaded AWS & Azure cost optimization by implementing tagging, resource explorer tools, and budget notifications

Ensured compliance & security through regular audits, policy reviews, and monitoring via AWS Config & Azure Policy

Automated cloud infrastructure provisioning with AWS CloudFormation, CLI, and Lambda, reducing manual overhead

Led enterprise cloud migration projects, minimizing downtime and aligning cloud strategies with business and compliance objectives

Conducted cloud architecture reviews, optimizing AWS & Azure environments for scalability, reliability, and efficiency Aug 2023 - Feb 2024: Carl Zeiss, Bangalore, India Tech Lead

Managed VMware administration, troubleshooting, and VDI support, including VMware Horizon

Led the seamless upgrade of Oracle Database 19c from Single Tenant to Multitenant architecture, optimizing performance

Spearheaded the transition from Trellix Anti-Virus to Microsoft Defender, strengthening security posture

Applied critical security patches to mitigate vulnerabilities and enhance system resilience

Leveraged CheckMK and cloud-native monitoring tools, reducing downtime by 20% in six months

Resolved incidents, service requests, and tickets in alignment with ITSM best practices

Architected and deployed secure Azure infrastructure, including Active Directory for identity management

Executed Azure migrations, resource optimization, and implemented encryption and backup policies

Utilized Azure DevOps for automation, CI/CD deployments, and workflow optimization

Administered VMware vSphere, managing virtual networking, HA, vMotion, and disaster recovery

Performed P2V and V2V migrations, modernizing legacy environments and ensuring high availability

Automated administrative processes using PowerShell and enforced VMware security hardening

Integrated Azure and VMware solutions with business IT strategies, accelerating cloud adoption Jul 2021 - Jun 2023: ITC Infotech India Ltd., Bangalore, India Technical Lead Consultant

Managed AWS Control Tower with Landing Zones, OUs, Guardrails, SCPs, and integrated Security Hub & CloudTrail for multi- account governance

Administered AWS services (IAM, VPC, EC2, S3, CloudFormation, Lambda, CloudTrail, Config, CloudWatch) and optimized networking (VPCs, TGWs, NAT Gateways) for performance and cost-efficiency

Automated cloud operations using AWS CLI, Cloud Shell, Lambda, and CloudFormation, streamlining deployments and reducing manual effort

Led multi-cloud management (AWS & Azure), ensuring scalability, security, and performance optimization

Deployed and secured Azure resources, monitoring performance and enforcing cloud security best practices

Optimized cloud cost management and compliance using IAM Policies, Guard Duty, and WAF

Implemented Event Bridge, SQS, and SNS to enhance application reliability and communication

Managed hybrid IT environments, integrating Azure AD with Windows administration, system patching, and user management.

Automated IT processes with PowerShell, improving efficiency and reducing errors

Optimized infrastructure by decommissioning redundant servers and resolving network access conflicts

Administered Active Directory (GPOs, DNS, DHCP, Certificate Services) to ensure secure and efficient IT operations

Executed cloud migrations from on-premises to AWS & Azure, implementing disaster recovery and backup solutions

Conducted security audits, optimized resource utilization, and maintained IT documentation

Managed ITSM processes for incidents, service requests, and change management using ServiceNow Jan 2020 - Apr 2021: Star CRM SDN BHD, Bangalore, India IT Manager

Managed AWS services (EC2, S3, RDS, IAM, VPC, CloudWatch, Lambda) to ensure secure, scalable, and efficient cloud operations

Designed and deployed VPCs, subnets, NAT & Internet Gateways for optimized network architecture

Automated cloud deployments using CloudFormation, AWS CLI, and shell scripting

Administered Linux servers, handling installation, patching, troubleshooting, and security hardening

Configured and maintained Sophos firewalls, ensuring robust network security and intrusion prevention

Managed VPNs, NAS storage, backups, and SSL certificates to support secure infrastructure

Deployed and optimized web servers (Nginx, Tomcat, Glassfish), resolving performance bottlenecks

Installed, configured, and managed Oracle databases, ensuring high availability and data integrity

Led database teams in troubleshooting performance and high CPU utilization issues

Developed and executed disaster recovery strategies across AWS, Linux, and database environments

Administered Office 365, Azure AD, and integrated Jasper Reports with Oracle databases

Ensured compliance through access controls, encryption, and system audits

Utilized Jira and Confluence for documentation, collaboration, and project tracking, enhancing team efficiency Nov 2018 - Dec 2019: OPT IT Technologies India Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India Project Manager

Developed and implemented Business Continuity Plans (BCP) to mitigate organizational risks

Led IT infrastructure planning, design, and troubleshooting for seamless operations

Managed multiple IT projects, ensuring on-time delivery, cost efficiency, and business alignment

Directed teams of 10+ engineers across client locations, driving execution, performance, and customer satisfaction

Oversaw IT operations, resource management, and cross-functional team collaboration

Migrated enterprise data to cloud storage, enabling secure remote access and collaboration

Strengthened IT policies, network security, and compliance frameworks

Delivered projects within scope, timeline, and budget by optimizing resources and risk mitigation

Designed and executed disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity Jun 2015 - May 2018: Tarnea Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India Network Administrator

Designed, implemented, and troubleshot IT infrastructure for seamless operations

Managed Windows Servers, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policies, and WSUS

Administered Linux servers (Ubuntu, Red Hat) across diverse IT environments

Configured and maintained VMware ESXi 5.5, 6.0 for virtualized infrastructure

Secured networks by managing FortiGate and Cyberoam firewalls

Deployed and maintained Aruba, Cisco, and D-Link access points for wireless connectivity

Configured Cisco routers and switches to optimize network performance

Monitored systems with Nagios for proactive issue detection and resolution

Diagnosed and resolved wired/wireless network issues with ISPs and vendors

Managed NAS storage and implemented robust backup strategies

Administered Office 365 and integrated Active Directory for enhanced productivity

Installed and managed SUITE CRM for streamlined client management

Demonstrated expertise in Microsoft Azure and MySQL database administration P R E V I O U S E X P E R I E N C E

Oct 2013 - May 2015: Netsys Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (GTP), Bangalore, India System Administrator Nov 2010 - Oct 2011: APNA Technologies & Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India System Administrator Jun 2009 - Jun 2010: PROMPT IT Services Pvt. Ltd., Dubai, UAE Network Support Engineer E D U C A T I O N

Bachelor of Commerce from S V University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 2016 Date of Birth: 15th May 1980 Nationality: Indian Driving License: UAE and India Marital Status: Married Passport: Valid Passport Available No. of Dependents: 4

Contact this candidate