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Work Background
Independent ConsultantFractional Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) | Strategic Advisor
Jan. 2025Abu Dhabi, UAE · Global / Remote / GCC• Board-level security leadership for venture-backed scale-ups, regulated financial services firms, and critical infrastructure operators across India, the GCC, the USA, and Europe.
• Built and matured end-to-end security programs aligned with NIST CSF, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, UAE NESA / Information Assurance Standards for federal entities and India’s DPDP Act, taking clients from ad-hoc controls to audit-ready status in < 10 months.
Advisor to Board on Digital Infrastructure and Defines target-state digital infrastructure blueprints (network, cloud, identity, data, observability) and migration roadmaps for hybrid/multi-cloud at scale.
Advisory Consultant for Establishing secure AI infrastructure and local LLMs
• Designed zero-trust, cloud-native architectures on AWS, Azure, that cut MTTD/MTTR by 70 % and reduced attack surface by 65 %.
• Led incident-response readiness and tabletop drills; zero critical security incidents across client portfolios YTD. • Advised on regional data-protection laws—Dubai DIFC DP Law 2020, Qatar PDPL,SAMA Bahrain PDPL—ensuring cross-border data transfers meet Schrems II-style adequacy tests.
• Translated technical risk into business language for CEOs and boards, unlocking US $2.1M in security budget approvals and driving 12–18 % cyber-insurance premium reductions.
• Mentored in-house security teams on threat modeling, purple-team exercises, and secure-SDLC best practices, up-skilling 25+ engineers.
• Speaker & contributor at IDC ,GISEC, NullCon, and industry white-papers on secure digital transformation (client list available under NDA).
• Advisor for GCC-based cloud service provider startup on security and operational optimization and product /offerings roadmap.
• Consultant & Technical /product roadmap advisor for a UK-based cloud audio services startup.
• Advisory consultant for smart cities and command and control centers
ConnectSecureChief Information Security Officer
Jun. 2023 - Sep. 2024Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab EmiratesAs a Chief Information Security Officer, I reported directly to the President. Trained a team of 60 to 90 personnel on all compliance standards while acting as a subject matter expert on compliance standards (NIST 800-53, 171, CMMC, FedRAMP, HIPAA, ISO 27001, CIS, Cyber Essentials, Essentials 8, PCI DSS, GDPR, NIS2). I led the implementation and maintenance of SOC 2, GDPR, and ISO standards, created assessments for new standards like CMMC and NIS2 on the platform, and provided detailed configurations for implementing all compliance standards. Additionally, I advised customers on best practices for implementing compliance standards to ensure alignment with industry requirements. Key Accomplishments > I improved compliance success rates and platform credibility by achieving SOC 2, GDPR, and ISO
27001 certifications with structure and execution.
> I Minimized risk exposure by implementing comprehensive risk management strategies to address critical vulnerabilities.
> I increased employee security awareness and protocol adherence through targeted training programs
INTALEQDirector of Information Technology Operations
Sep. 2020 - Jun. 2023Doha, QatarAs a Director of IT Operations, I've managed delivery of interconnected FIFA 2022 stadiums with centralized operational platforms. Led deployment of hybrid infrastructure, enhancing ecosystems through tech collaborations. Negotiated IT service contracts to increase revenue and establish market leadership. Crafted strategic business plans aligned with executive goals. Directed security initiatives, implementing access control, surveillance, and data protection. Drove innovation through contributions to strategic committees and improvement efforts. Key Accomplishments > Enhanced operational efficiency by delivering one-of-a-kind centralized monitoring systems connecting all FIFA stadiums and venues and implementing the digital twin.
> Surpassed annual revenue targets by building alliances with international tech firms and sports
organizations.
> Boosted system reliability and availability by introducing hybrid infrastructure and global tech
partnerships.
> Strengthened security with comprehensive physical and digital asset protection systems.
> I founded and scaled the company to a valuation of 250M QAR within three years.
INTALEQ Director of Operations
Sep. 2020 - Jun. 2023Doha, Qatar
Aspire Zone FoundationManager IT Strategy & Operations
Sep. 2015 - Nov. 2022
Aspire Zone FoundationHead of IT Strategy & Governance & Acting Head - Infrastructure Operations
Oct. 2012 - Sep. 2020Doha , QatarI enabled cloud transformation and optimized infrastructure by defining IT strategy, technical architecture, and roadmaps for AZF. I ensured service quality and operational security by designing robust architectural frameworks for both in-house and third-party services, supported by effective governance. To improve IT oversight and alignment with business objectives, I established governance mechanisms that streamlined IT activities. Additionally, I advised business units on adopting emerging technology trends, and enhancing organizational competitiveness. Key Accomplishments: > I increased efficiency by 25% by applying governance frameworks across IT operations.
>. I boosted system performance by 30% by implementing IT roadmaps for cloud adoption.
> I achieved cost efficiency by optimizing a 32 million QAR annual budget within the first year.
> I enhanced scalability and efficiency by leading the migration from on-premises to cloud-based infrastructure.
> I pioneered the organization’s first Azure-based on-premises infrastructure, enabling hybrid cloud capabilities and future-proofing operations.
ASPIRE ZONE FOUNDATIONHead of IT Strategy & Governance & Acting Head - Infrastructure Operations
Oct. 2012 - Sep. 2020Doha , Qatar
Aspire Zone FoundationEnterprise IT Governance Officer
Oct. 2010 - Oct. 2012Doha ,QatarI directed governance activities to ensure compliance with enterprise architecture standards and alignment with organizational objectives. I aligned IT frameworks with business strategies to drive the achievement of key organizational goals. I integrated and upgraded systems, ensuring seamless compatibility across platforms and middleware. I established IT governance policies, accountability frameworks, and decision-making structures to enhance operational efficiency and oversight.
I managed IT change, demand, and budget allocation for pipeline projects, ensuring resource optimization and successful delivery. I maintained IT risk management plans and registers, proactively addressing vulnerabilities and mitigating risks. Key Accomplishments: > I revamped IT performance and sustainability by implementing processes to identify and exploit opportunities.
> I formulated organizational alignment by integrating IT architecture with business goals.
> I catalyzed governance maturity levels through targeted awareness programs.
> I reduced IT vulnerabilities by 20% by implementing a robust risk management framework.
Aspire Academy for Sports ExcellenceChief Officer-IT Projects & Information Security
Jul. 2008 - Oct. 2010
IBM India PVT LTDBusiness Controls Analyst
Jan. 2006 - Jul. 2008
Academic Computing ServicesIT Assistant
Feb. 2004 - May. 2005University of HULL , UK
NHS CentreSystems Manager
Nov. 2003 - Jun. 2005Branshlome ,Hull UK
NeST Connectivity SolutionsManager Network Services
Apr. 2002 - Aug. 2003Kochi, India
NeST Information Technologies Pvt LtdSenior Consultant
Dec. 1999 - Apr. 2002
NeST Information Technologies Pvt LtdSystems Facility Manager
Dec. 1999 - Apr. 2002
Case Consult India Pvt LtdHardware Engineer
Sep. 1997 - Jan. 1999Technopark , Trivandrum , India
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