SYED JAFAR
IT Infrastructure Team Lead
Riyadh,01
Summary
Strategic IT Infrastructure Leader with 19 years of expertise in Enterprise Networking, Cyber Security, and Cloud Architecture. Expert in Oracle Cloud (OCI), OpenStack, and 8 years of Linux (RHCSA) administration. Specialized in DR Implementation, Zero Trust frameworks, and Saudi PDPL compliance. Proven success in securing sensitive environments (Fintech, Government, Military) using Sectona PAM, Forcepoint DLP, and Cognna SOC operations.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
9
9
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
IT Infrastructure Team Lead
Fuel Finance
01.2023 - Current
- Compliance Leadership: Directing infrastructure alignment with Saudi PDPL and SAMA regulations for the Fintech sector.
- Cyber Security: Orchestrated the deployment of Sectona PAM and Forcepoint DLP to safeguard high-volume financial transactions.
- SOC Operations: Managing real-time threat detection via Cognna SOC and optimizing ITSM through ManageEngine.
- Cloud Architecture: Designing and managing OCI environments and executing complex Disaster Recovery (DR) implementations.
- Fintech
IT Infrastructure Engineer
Zoujaj
11.2022 - 12.2022
- Secured industrial production networks using FortiNAC and enhanced connectivity for manufacturing IoT.
- National Glass & Bottle Co.
Senior Network & System Engineer
Jamal Baghlaf Holding Co.
01.2011 - 10.2022
- Network Strategy: Managed group-wide infrastructure for 11 years, utilizing Cisco (CCNP) and Palo Alto/Fortinet NGFWs.
- Private Cloud: Architected and deployed a private cloud infrastructure using OpenStack and VMware.
- Systems Admin: Provided senior Linux administration for mission-critical ERP systems and Oracle Database clusters.
- Enterprise Voice: Managed large-scale Call Center networking and hardware infrastructure.
Network & System Support Engineer
Science Age Trading Company
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Government & Defense Support: Supported business-critical trading applications and hardware for Military bases, Hospitals, Schools, and Government offices in Al Kharj.
- Infrastructure Support: Maintained core Cisco switching/routing and ensured secure branch-to-branch connectivity.
- Linux Systems: Managed initial Linux server deployments and provided Tier 2/3 technical support.
- Al Kharj
Education
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) -
Anna University
Chennai, India01.2009
Skills
Security & Compliance: Forcepoint DLP
Security & Compliance: Sectona PAM
Security & Compliance: Saudi PDPL
Security & Compliance: SOC (Cognna)
Security & Compliance: Fortinet NAC
Cloud & Virtualization: OCI
Cloud & Virtualization: OpenStack
Cloud & Virtualization: VMware
Cloud & Virtualization: Business Continuity & DR Implementation
Networking: BGP
Switching and routing proficiency
Networking: OSPF
Networking: MPLS
Networking: SD-WAN
Networking: Call Center Voice/Data
Networking: IPsec VPN
Systems Management: Linux Administration (RHEL/Oracle Linux)
Systems Management: ManageEngine (ServiceDesk/Desktop Central)
Veam backup management
Directory management
Office 365 Microsoft Entra
Cloud firewall management
Accomplishments
Working at Fuelfinance, a fintech company, has been a remarkable journey, especially because I have been given the opportunity to engage in deployment tasks, such as on-premises deployment. Before joining Fuelfinance, I had a limited understanding of fintech and how technology transforms financial services. However, this job has not only enhanced my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of financial technologies. Working with a team of experts, I learned the intricate details of deploying systems on-premises, which essentially means installing, configuring, and running software on the company’s local hardware instead of relying on the cloud. This experience has been highly rewarding because I gained firsthand insight into how fintech companies maintain security and control over their data.One of the main reasons on-premises deployment is significant at Fuelfinance is that it ensures a high level of data security, which is crucial for a financial company.
Certification
RHCSA
Timeline
OCI
09-2026
NSE 6
04-2025
Ethical Hacking
07-2023
IT Infrastructure Team Lead
Fuel Finance
01.2023 - Current
PCNSE
11-2022
IT Infrastructure Engineer
Zoujaj
11.2022 - 12.2022
RHCSA
09-2022
AWS
11-2021
Azure Cloud
09-2021
CCNA
08-2019
CCNP
08-2019
Senior Network & System Engineer
Jamal Baghlaf Holding Co.
01.2011 - 10.2022
Network & System Support Engineer
Science Age Trading Company
01.2007 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) -
Anna University
Technical Certifications
- Palo Alto, PCNSE (Network Security Engineer)
- Fortinet, NSE 6 (Network Security Specialist) & FortiNAC
- Cisco, CCNP Enterprise (Routing & Switching)
- Red Hat, RHCSA (Certified System Administrator)
- Cloud, OCI Solutions Architect Professional & Certified OpenStack Administrator (COA)
- Specialized, Forcepoint DLP Administrator | Sectona PAM Certified
Core Expertise
- Security & Compliance: Forcepoint DLP, Sectona PAM, Saudi PDPL (Data Privacy Law), SOC (Cognna), Fortinet NAC.
- Cloud & Virtualization: OCI (4 years), OpenStack, VMware, Business Continuity & DR Implementation.
- Networking: BGP, OSPF, MPLS, SD-WAN, Call Center Voice/Data, IPsec VPN.
- Systems Management: Linux Administration (RHEL/Oracle Linux), ManageEngine (ServiceDesk/Desktop Central).