MUHAMMAD KAMRAN AZEEM

CISSP, CEH, RHCE, OCP (DBA), CCNA

kamran@wbitt.com , kamranazeem@gmail.com +47-45571149

TEAM LEAD / TECHNICAL MANAGER / SOLUTION ARCHITECT / SECURITY CONSULTANT

Insightful, results-driven IT professional with exceptional leadership and team management skills offering over 17 years of extensive experience in the fields of Linux System Administration, Information System Security, Virtualization and HPC, with notable success in directing a broad range of corporate IT security initiatives, while participating in planning, analyzing, and implementing solutions in support of business objectives. Demonstrated career success, in developing and executing operational strategies, to promote organizational growth and optimal utilization of emerging technologies. Proven ability to effectively plan, coordinate, and meet deadlines of multiple projects. Goal oriented, customer focused, and tenacious; committed to executing solutions on time and under budget.

• Currently associated with Fine Distribution AS, Oslo, Norway; as Information Security Officer
• Special proficiency in Information System Security Solutions: Firewalls, Access Control, Security Policies; Virtualization Solutions: XEN, KVM, VMWare; HPC (High Performance Computing) Clusters and High Availability systems
• One of the Best Trainers for Linux, Information System Security, Virtualization, HPC, etc.
• Demonstrated success in streamlining existing operations. Comprehensive experience in project planning, budgeting, and implementing effective cost controls
• Proven years of experience in information security management, responsible for information security awareness and security risk awareness within the organization
• Maintained information security processes and security control standards for application development and technology deployment
• Detailed knowledge of security tools, technologies and best practices; experience in creation and deployment of solutions protecting network, systems and information assets
• Excel at providing comprehensive secure network design, systems analysis, and full lifecycle project management
• Demonstrated People Management abilities involving Manpower Planning, Training, Tasking & Delegation, Performance Monitoring, Skill Upgrade, Career Planning, Motivation & Mentoring of the team
• Goal oriented Team Player with Fast learning curve and strong analytical, decision making, problem solving, visualizing, negotiating, Organizational, communication & interpersonal skills

• Operating Systems: RedHat Enterprise Linux, Fedora, CentOS, Solaris, Windows NT/XP/2000
• Virtualization: XEN, KVM, VMware
• High Performance Computing (HPC): Platform Manage / Scali, Cluster Vision OS, MPI, OpenPBS, MAUI, OpenSM, XCAT
• High Availability Tools: Linux Virtual Server, Heart-Beat, Load Balancing using ldirectord, DRBD
• Security Tools & Technologies:WireShark, NMap, Various Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) like Snort, TripWire; Firewalls like IPTables, CSF, ShoreWall; Secure networks/VPNs. SSL, Digital signatures / certificates, Public / Private keys, PKI, BackTrack Linux
• SAN / NAS: ISCSI, OpenFiler, MSA-500 and MSA-1000
• Databases: Oracle RAC 10g, Oracle 8/8i/9i, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MS Access, NCR's TeraData
• Networking Equipment: Cisco, Dell Power Connect, D-Link, Lucent, etc
• Programming Languages & Linux Shell Tools: PERL / PERL-CGI, BASH, SED, AWK, SQL, PL/SQL , PL/PgSQL, C/C++, Oracle Developer 2000/6, COBOL, Crystal Report Writer Visual BASIC
• Office automation: OpenOffice suite, MS Office suite

• CEH EC-Council in 2012
• CISSP (# 362468) from ISC² in 2010
• Platform Manage (Scali Manage) Cluster Management Software Training from CompuMe, Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia in 2008
• RHCE (# 804005902117615) from OpenTech Lahore, Pakistan in 2005
• Oracle 9i R2: Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC) from Oracle University in 2005
• TeraData Factory from NCR Education Center, Islamabad, Pakistan in 2004
• CCNA 2.0 (ICND 2) (# CSCO10222541) in 2001
• OCP (DBA), Oracle8 (Oracle Corporation) in 2001
• Certified Oracle8 DBA (1256769) from www.brainbench.com, in 2000
• Certificate Course in developing applications, using Oracle Developer 2000 from NICON, Islamabad, Pakistan in 1999
• Certificate Course in developing applications, using Visual BASIC 5 from Soft Logix, Rawalpindi, Pakistan in 1998
• One Year Diploma in Computer Software from Petroman Training Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan in 1998
• Certificate Course in Computer for Beginners from National Institute of Electronics, Islamabad, Pakistan in 1993

• Successfully customized and released custom CentOS Linux CDs as Hypervisor and Web Server editions
• Working on a very affordable, cost effective and highly efficient concept of Data Center In a Box (http://cooker.techsnail.com/index.php/Data_Center_In_A_Box)
• Working on an affordable, powerful, (smart!) and efficient concept of .Unified Threat Management. / Firewall. (http://cooker.techsnail.com/index.php/Custom_Firewall_%28_UTM_%29_%2B_Internet_Gateway_%2B_NAS_/_Storage)

FINE DISTRIBUTION

• At the time of joining, I noticed several problems inside the company's IT infrastructure and started fixing them right away. I extended the wireless network and improved it's security. Removed the virus infection from the network, and secured the servers.

ARABIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS

• At the time of my joining, there was a 512 node HPC cluster, for which the customer was not willing to go ahead with the sign-off, because of lack of support documentation. I volunteered and successfully created and delivered, an extensive documentation on the cluster, which resulted in immediate sign-off of the project
• Efficiently designed course work for HPC Clusters, and was one of the trainers for technical training
• Assisted hardware support people to prepare for Server+ exam and conducted their mock exams on weekends
• Part of the team which introduced WIKI to document everything related to the HPC clusters (HW/SW), on the company internal network
• Efficiently contributed with various automation mechanisms for HPC, which later on became standards for customer (Aramco)
• Imparted training to many fellow Engineers and individuals at customer location

AUTOGATEWAY

• Efficiently introduced separate WIKI style documentation website, to keep track of changes happening in the application and on the hardware infrastructure level and received appreciations for the same

ORATECH SYSTEMS

• Convinced the company to start a separate department to provide services for Linux and Open-Source Technologies
• Conducted trainings for Oracle DBAs and System Admins

KB COMPUTERS

• Selected for long term Linux based project with a major Telecom of the Country
• Organized training schedule for the PC Technicians to acquire additional knowledge about PCs and software

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

FINE DISTRIBUTION AS, Oslo, Norway (Mar' 13 - Present)

Information Security Officer

Key Deliverables:

• I am working on improving the security of the company IT infrastructure, including but not limited to Web and DB servers, Wireless Access Points, etc.

ARABIC COMPUTER SYSTEMS, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia (Aug' 08 - Feb' 13)

Senior Software Engineer

Key Deliverables:

• Spearheading as Team Lead for Linux High Performance Computing Cluster Support team from ACS, working in-turn with Aramco's HPCC team, formally known as ENOD
• Leading member of the team, responsible for handling about 17 clusters, ranging from 128 nodes to 512 nodes. Three of our clusters are part of top500.org's November 2010 list of super computers in the world; at positions 121, 232 and 287. Reduced to only one cluster, at position 305 in November 2011 list.
• Coordinating with Saudi Aramco HPCC / ECC / ENOD teams and Platform Manage (formerly Scali Manage), Cluster Vision, Dell and RedHat for HPC clusters related issues and solutions
• I perform system analysis and design activities for ACS' clients, mainly involving Information Security, HPC and Virtualization.

ORATECH SYSTEMS, Islamabad, Pakistan (Jan' 2005 - Nov' 2007)

Consultant Databases, Networks and Open-Source Technologies (Jun' 06 - Nov' 07)

Key Deliverables:

• Provided consultancy for various on going projects at various clients' sites, on Oracle Database design and implementations, human resource management, and implementation and customization of any Open-Source technology, including, but not limited to: RedHat Enterprise Linux
• Interacted with branch managers and vice presidents from various departments
• Proposed methods to improve administration quality of service and revenue generation

Assistant Technical Support Manager (Jul' 05 - Feb' 06)

Key Deliverables:

• Assisted technical support people in secure deployment of various Oracle and Linux based technologies
• Deployed technical support resources to various in-house and client side problems
• Coordinated between higher level management and technical support department
• Managed various human and technical resources at clients' side
• Provided consulting and counseling services to junior employees, internees and management trainees
• Conducted technical interviews for new inductions in the company

Oracle DBA (Jan' 05 - Jun' 05)

Key Deliverables:

• Installed, configured and tuned various Oracle products for both client side deployments and in-house testing, including, but not limited to: Oracle Databases, Oracle Collaboration Suite, etc.
• Managed various RedHat Enterprise Linux servers running Oracle Databases and provided technical support and training for the same
• Provided suggestions and solutions to the customers in terms of Network, Security and Operating systems
• Conducted Oracle and Linux training when-ever and where-ever required, either in-house or clients' side
• Successfully implemented SonicWall firewalls and delivered training for the same

KB COMPUTERS, Islamabad, Pakistan (June 1995 - Jan' 2005)

Technical Manager (Jan' 03 - Jan' 05)

Key Deliverables:

• Maintained Linux based computer network setup in the office. Various services provided by this network were: Web services, Email collaboration, Web caching and content filtering, Traffic / bandwidth control, network protection, File sharing and printing
• Provided consultancy services for open-source software, particularly RedHat Linux, PERL, Apache, PostgreSQL, SQUID, Firewalls and related security tools and technologies
• Developed open-source software mainly in PERL, PERL (CGI)
• Deployed and managed open-source databases: PostgreSQL and MySQL on Linux platforms
• Attended meetings with clients and resolved technical queries and issues
• Managed company's Linux based computer network
• Promoted Linux and related Open-Source Technologies to clients and assist them in adopting the Linux/Open-source office automation model for their respective offices and IT departments
• Assisted programmers and DBAs in software development

Assistant Technical Manager (Jan’01 – Dec’02)

Key Deliverables:

• Designed and implemented networks as per customers' requirements
• Supervised network technicians for the implementation of the solutions to customers' networking requirements
• Assisted in determining networking equipment for customers' networking needs
• Assisted customers in their database design and software connectivity with their Oracle databases over the network

Technical Supervisor (Jan’98 – Dec’00)

Key Deliverables:

• Supervised technical staff to perform day to day operations
• Led computer technicians in assembling the computer systems, install required Operating System and supporting software
• Managed up-gradation activities of customers' computers
• Assisted network technicians in network cables layout, connector attachments, etc.
• Helped network technicians in installation and configuration of Microsoft Windows NT Server and Workstation operating systems and their various TCP/IP settings

Hardware and Software Technician (Jun’95 – Dec’97)

Key Deliverables:

• Assembled various components of a PC together
• Installed and configured MS-DOS operating system and Windows environment on PCs
• Installed drivers for various hardware components and peripherals in the PC, e.g. Sound Cards, Modems, Scanners and Printers, etc.
• Responsible for troubleshooting hardware and software issues of customer PCs, including data recovery operations

PAKCYBER, Rawalpindi, Pakistan (Aug’03 - Present)

Remote Linux System Administration (External Consultant) (Part Time/Free lancer)

Key Deliverables:

• Impart remote system administration services for designing and deploying Linux based server solutions for PakCyber, and their clients in Pakistan and around the world
• Provide multiple layers of security for various servers, including Web, Mail, Database, FTP, etc.
• Implementing perimeter firewalls and host based firewalls to protect the network and individual servers. Includes implementation of network based and Host based Intrusion Detection Systems
• Responsible to patch server software components to close down security vulnerabilities
• Accountable for periodic backups of web applications and databases
• Provide guide-lines to web-developers on writing secure and efficient web applications
• Advising and implementing general information security practices, and business continuity solutions, such as OS Hardening, Firewalls, High Availability, Virtualization, etc.

AUTOGATEWAY, UK (Mar’05 - Present)

Infrastructure Manager (External Consultant) (Part Time/Free lancer)

Key Deliverables:

• Managing complete IT Infrastructure, consisting of DB Servers, Web Servers, Firewalls, Load Balancers
• Providing remote system administration services for designing and deploying Linux based server solutions for AutoGateway
• Efficiently advising and implementing general information security practices, and business continuity solutions, such as OS Hardening, Firewalls, High Availability, Virtualization, etc.
• Interacting between DBAs, SysAdmins, and Application Developers

NCR EDUCATION CENTER, Islamabad, Pakistan (Jul’04 – Jul’05)

Instructor: Linux System Administration (Evening)

Key Deliverables:

• Imparted Linux system administration training to the students initiated by Pakistan Computer Bureau (PCB)

PETROMAN TRAINING INSTITUTE, Islamabad, Pakistan (Jan’04 – Apr’04)

Instructor: Software Engineering, Data Communications, RDBMS as visiting faculty member (evening)

Key Deliverables:

• Delivered lectures and presentations to B.Sc. Computer Science students on Software Engineering, Data Communications, and RDBMS
• Responsible for Project assignments and supervision of B.Sc. Computer Science students

PRESTON UNIVERSITY, Islamabad, Pakistan (Sept’00 – May’01)

Trainer: Oracle8, Data Structures, C++ as visiting faculty member (evening)

Key Deliverables:

• Provided accelerated Oracle8 Curriculum Training to Executive MS and Executive MBA students using Oracle Developer 2000
• Imparted lectures to B.Sc. Computer Science students in Data Structures using C++ implementation

PETROMAN TRAINING INSTITUTE, Islamabad, Pakistan (Aug’00 – Jan’01)

Oracle8, Visual Basic, C++ Trainer as visiting faculty member (evening)

Key Deliverables:

• Set up and maintained Oracle8 labs following Oracle8 instructor-led lessons
• Delivered lectures and presentations to B.Sc. Computer Science students on Oracle8, Data structures with C++ implementation and Visual Basic
• Responsible for project assignments and supervision of B.Sc. Computer Science students

Project #1: MIGRATION OF A LIVE SHARED-HOSTING SERVER FROM PLESK TO ISPCONFIG ON A XEN POWERED VIRTUAL SERVER, FOR PAKCYBER

Hardware: Intel Core 2 Duo servers

Software: CENTOS 5 as base OS on the servers, XEN, ISPConfig-3 as Hosting Control Panel. Various services running on top of this setup: DNS (BIND), FTP (PureFTPd), Web (Apache), Mail server/SMTP (Postfix), Anti-Spam (SPAM Assassin), Anti-Virus (ClamAV), POP and IMAP (Courier), Database (MySQL), Firewall (IPTables, CSF), etc.

Responsibilities:

• Setup XEN Para-Virtualization VM hosting on one of the newly acquired servers
• Efficiently created a 64 bit Para-Virtual machine and migrated the hosting services from Plesk to ISPConfig on this new VM
• Successful in setting up firewalls, restricted user accounts, key based authentication, automated backup solutions, database restrictions, etc.

Project #2: CO-AUTHOR AND CO-TRAINER OF HPCC TRAINING FOR SAUDI ARAMCO

Hardware: DELL PowerEdge 1950, M600 and M610 Servers, Infiniband, Gbit Ethernet (Dell 6248)

Software: RHEL 4.x/5.x, Scali (Platform Manage), Cluster Vision OS, PBS (Portable Batch System), various cluster tools such as xcat, etc.

Responsibilities:

• Developed a complete HPCC training material for Aramco HPCC/UNIX/CSYS team members' training, based on real life situations we face at Aramco. Author of about 2/3^rd part of the training material
• Imparted training for the same training material, mentioned above, to Saudi Aramco HPCC/UNIX/CSYS members

Project #3: PLATFORM MANAGE/SCALI TRAINING VIDEOS FOR SAUDI ARAMCO

Hardware: DELL PowerEdge 1950, M600 and M610 Servers, Infiniband, Gbit Ethernet (Dell 6248)

Software: RHEL 4.x/5.x, Scali (Platform Manage), Cluster Vision OS, PBS (Portable Batch System), various cluster tools such as xcat, etc.

Responsibilities: Created Training Videos about installation and configuration of Platform Manage/Scali on clusters, particularly Dell M600 and M610 blade servers. The training videos are for ACS and Aramco HPCC team's internal training and reference. (Not public)

Project #4: HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING CLUSTER SETUP & TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT SAUDI ARAMCO

Hardware: DELL PowerEdge 1950, M600 and M610 Servers, Infiniband, Gbit Ethernet

Software: RHEL 4.x/5.x, Scali (Platform Manage), Cluster Vision OS, PBS (Portable Batch System), various cluster tools such as xcat, etc.

Responsibilities:

• Took part as Lead Software Engineer, in installation of various Dell-HPC Clusters at Aramco, ranging from 128 nodes to 512 nodes
• Efficiently developed a complete HPCC training material for Aramco HPCC team members' training, based on real life situations we face at Aramco
• Centralized entire documentation of all Aramco HPC Clusters into single Wiki style repository
• Created Training Videos about installation and configuration of Platform Manage/Scali on clusters, particularly Dell M600 and M610 blade servers. The training videos are for Aramco HPCC team's internal training and reference
• Performed documentation verification / testing of documentation for the latest 512 Infiniband cluster

Project #5: WEB/MAIL AND DB SERVER SETUP FOR PAKCYBER, IN USA

Hardware: AMD 64 bit servers

Software: RHEL5 and CENTOS 5 as base OS on the servers. Various services running on top of this setup: DNS (BIND), FTP (VSFTPd), Web (Apache), Mail server/SMTP (Qmail), Anti-Spam (SPAM Assassin), Anti-Virus (ClamAV), POP and IMAP (Courier), Database (MySQL), Firewall (IPTables)

Responsibilities:

• Setup the Webmail and DB servers for PakCyber
• Setup key based authentication, Firewall, automated backups, restricted user accounts, database restrictions, and monitoring tools. The setup consists of two servers

Complete list of projects is available though the complete-projects-list.html link.

Publication 1:

• Authored the book: “Linux Pocket Reference for System Administrators”, which is download-able free of charge, from my website: (http://wbitt.com). First edition went on-line in Oct/Nov 2002. Currently 5th edition is available. Translated in Spanish by Gerardo Diaz from Buenos-Aires, Argentina, and in Portuguese by Rui Correia. A widely used and appreciated Linux reference book all over the world.

Publication 2:

• Developed various CBTs (Training Videos) on the topics of “Advance Linux System Administration”. “Virtualization”, “Beowulf cluster/HPCC”, “Embracing Linux - Fedora”, “Understanding IPTables”

Publication 3:

• "XEN, KVM, Libvirt and IPTables"
• "Virtualizing your Linux Firewall"

Publication 4:

• Authoring / writing my second book on Information Security.

• (Executive) MS with specialization in Information Technology from Preston University, Pakistan in 2004
• BA with specialization in Journalism, Sociology from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Pakistan in 1999
• One Year Diploma in Computer Software from Petroman Training Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan in 1998

Languages Known: English (Fluent/Proficient)