Taha Sajid

Cyber Security Lead | Principal Security Architect | Author 5G, Cybersecurity, Blockchain @Comcast

Startup FounderInfluencer or BloggerEducationConsultingEngineer5GFintechBlockchainCybersecuritySolution architectSecurity ArchitectInfluencerProfessor

Taha Sajid is a 5G Security Lead and a 3GPP SA3 Delegate at Comcast. He is responsible for security design and architecture, standards, vulnerability management and security operations for the end-to-end 5G wireless network, covering UE, RAN, Core, OSS and Cloud Infra domains. He has over 15 years of experience in telecommunication and cybersecurity design and operations . Prior to comcast, he has worked for organizations like Huawei, STC, Mobily, Ericsson and Ufone as a technology leader and has supported over a dozen enterprises, financial institutions, and startups as an advisor for Blockchain and digital currency solutions. Taha is also a principal cybersecurity advisor at digital currency think tank advising central banks and financial institutions on security architecture and design. Taha is an active member of working groups for the ATIS 5G Zero Trust and IEEE Future Networks for Data Security and privacy. He also runs a YouTube channel to educate the community, where he publishes technical design and cybersecurity content timely for Zero Trust, 5G and Blockchain. Taha has authored a book " Ultimate Blockchain Security Handbook”, a book that explains strategies on securing blockchain applications and mitigations against crypto scams. In addition, his online courses cybersecurity for blockchain, Defi and Fintech is used by thousands of professionals, having a 5-star rating. Due to his valuable contributions globally and several publications on emerging technology and pressing IT topics, he has received several international awards, including Microsoft MVP and featured/interviewed by the media/ newspapers.

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Network Power<100 people

Roles

✨42%

Business Owner

🔥28%

Startup Founder

🗿28%

Geos

🇮🇳42%

India

🇺🇸42%

United States

Work Background

MadecraftBlockchain Security Instructor

Apr. 2022 - May. 2022Authored a Course on Blockchain Security

ScifnSenior Cyber Security Advisor | Blockchain | CBDC Security

Jan. 2022I mentor central banks and financial institutions on security architecture and design, vulnerability management and security operations for CBDC, Stable coin and blockchain initiatives

EC-CouncilCyber Security Instructor

Dec. 2021 - Mar. 2022Authored - Cyber Security for Fintech

Comcast5G Principal Security Architect | 3GPP Security SA3 Delegate | Security Lead

Sep. 2021I lead 5G Security Architecting and Solutions for an end to end network covering RAN, Core, Infra, BSS, OSS Domains. I am also responsible to lead 5G Security standards, as a delegate for 3GPP SA3 group and contribute to ATIS, IEEE working groups for Zero Trust Security and Privacy Initiatives. Main Responsibilities includes the following 1-Setting up the security threats use cases, scoping the requirements for remediations, HLD/LLD, traffic dimensioning, developing artifact of the solution. 2-Setting up Testing and Evaluation objectives, covering the functionality and Security as per 3GPP 3- Information security hardening (Third-party security assessment, Privacy Impact Assessment, Risk Classification of Vendors, Threat Modeling evaluation, 3GPP Security controls, vulnerability management of CNF/VNF, Cloud Infra) 4-Call/dataflow alignment as per 3GPP/GSMA Standards, horizontal/vertical Integration check with others like BSS, OSS, RAN, etc. 5-Evaluating the solution and security design for VNF and CNF, risk management, and data privacy controls for applications and Infra. 6- Part of the working group in IEEE, ATIS, 3GPP for cyber security feature enhancements and setting up Zero Trust Security framework for the 5G and beyond. 5G Zero Trust Enforcements: SSO, RBAC with IAM. PKI for Secure communication, CNF hardening, Vulnerability Management using Machine Learning, SIEM and CERT/ROAR, Micro-Segmentation, Security Logging with Threat Engine, DEVSECOPS for CI/CD, PII Management, 3GPP Security Enforcements (TLS/Auth), Perimeter Security with Zoning

Coding DojoLead Fintech Instructor

Sep. 2021 - Oct. 2021Taught Fintech Bootcamp Cohort as the lead Instructor, covered Fintech from scratch, all the way to financial modeling, capital markets, trading, Algorithms, REGTECH/Insuretech/realtech using AI/ML, Blockchain and much more. *Recieved appreciation from the client and awesome feedback from student*

HuaweiTechnical Director - 5G SA | Cloud Core/RAN/Datacom | Security Lead

Dec. 2020 - Aug. 2021Riyadh, Saudi Arabia* Led 5G Stand Alone (Option 2) Core Network, RAN, Datacom, BSS/OSS, and Cyber Security Planning, Operations, and Deployment of the First 5G SA Network in Middle-East, which includes the following responsibilities. 1- Technical Lead of Planning/Solutions (HLD, LLD, BOQ/Licensing) and Operations/Maintenance of 5G SA network, which includes UNC, UDG, PCF, UDM, NRF, NSSF, CHF, DCGW, SDN, Firewall nodes with Network Slicing, having redundancy with 1000+ 5G NR Sites with ETSI-NFV (MANO/VNFM/LCM, VIM) architecture Stack. 2- Solution architecting and Orchestration of 5GC Core elements for CI/CD, expansion and internetworking with NFV, SDN, EPC-4G, IN-OCS BSS, RAN, VAS platforms for Fixed, Mobile, and enterprise customers. 3- Designing BSS/OSS/CRM/mediation platforms for 5G provisioning of customer profile lifecycle management and 3rd party integrations. 4- End to End Network Security of the 5G network based on the CIA-AAA Triad and Cybersecurity guidelines as per ISO/NCSC/Cloud Security Alliance framework. 5- Guiding Customer business/marketing teams to tailor 5G business models (packages/bundles) and adopt slices and edge solutions for the right use cases to monetize 5G Data and Voice Services.

AlphaSightsDigital Transformation Advisor

Jun. 2020 - Jul. 2021As an expert, I help the clients in their digital transformation drives especially using 5G, Blockchain, Fintech, Cloud Computing technology across multiple industries for usecase covering supply chain, tokenization, Healthcare, Realstate, Finance/Banking industries. Successfully helped the biggest operator in middle-east for 5G Security Planning and Designing

GuidepointSenior Technology Specialist

Jan. 2020 - Jun. 2021As a trusted advisor, I help clients on Planning, Solution Designing, Deployment, Strategy and O&M for ICT - Smart Cities, EPC, 5G, Infrastructure/DataCenters, Software Stack, Cyber Security, Cloud computing, Virtualization, Blockchain(Most DLT platforms), Fintech, AI/Datascience Apps, Business Planning across different industies and vertical. Successfully Helped Mckinsey for research groups for Insurance/Supply chain innovation product management and business

Limar Global Technology Co.Chief Technology Consultant | Blockchain | DeFI | Fintech | Data Science

Dec. 2019 - Mar. 2021Riyadh1-Lead Blockchain, AI, ML, Data Science, Fintech, Defi Products developments, Training, and Solutions. 2-Tokenization Economics, Digital Assets Frameworks and design consultation 3- White Paper, Cyber Security, and Cloud Infra review. 3-Business and solution architecting for innovative Blockchain and Fintech Solutions inside KSA.

Blockchain Training AllianceBlockchain Solution Architect Instructor

Feb. 2019 - Jul. 2020Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaResponsible for delivering B2C and B2B Blockchain Executive and Solution Architect programs and usecase explorations workshops of BTA. - Delivered 10+ Classes, trained over 100+ professionals.

Arabian for Science and Technology Co.Chief Operating Officer | Blockchain Solutions and Training

Dec. 2018 - Dec. 2019Riyadh, Riyadh Region, Saudi ArabiaAs a Chief Operating Officer, I was responsible for the following duties. 1- Driving the company’s operating capabilities to surpass customer satisfaction and retention, and company goals. 2- Controlling company costs, and introducing tactical initiatives to address theft and other losses. Business projections for Blockchain solutions 3- Developing a strategic partnership with the Blockchain solution provider in sectors like Real Estate, Fintechs, Regtechs, Health Care, Food Safety, supply chain, digital remittance, aiming for National transformation drive inside KSA, leading towards KSA Vision#2030. 4- Creating a Blockchain Lab in which blockchain use cases can be developed on Ethereum, Hyperledger, Corda, Dapps blockchain platforms, which can serve the KSA government. 5- Creating frameworks for private and public enterprises to explore digital use cases for challenging prepositions. 6- Creating awareness and training offerings of Digital transformation among masses that how blockchain and other emerging technology can be used to change the traditional business models. 7- Open for Strategic Partnership with Leading STOs, Blockchain solution providers to push solutions into the KSA market. 8- Providing support and consultation to Startups in Fintech/Regtec/Digital solutions space for effective business models, compliance, market insights, technological and infrastructure landscape.

Prudential Global AdvisoryPrincipal Blockchain Advisor | Director

Jun. 2018Islamabad, PakistanResponsible for Blockchain Workshop Training, Education and Solutions across Pakistan, Middle East, North America and Europe. -Key Focus area includes Academics, Fintech, and Banking, Government and Corporate Sector Blockchain solutions, alignment with Presidential Initiatives (PIAIC). - Open for Strategic partnerships for Pakistan market with leading blockchain solution providers.

HashCash ConsultantsTechnical and Business Advisory | Fintech | Reg Tech | Blockchain

Jan. 2018 - Jan. 2021- Consultancy for P2P Payment, P2P Lending, Crowd Funding, Remittance, Global Corporate Payments, Exchange Solution, ICO/STO using Emerging Tech (Blockchain/AI., etc) - Business development and Post Deployment Support - Mentoring Role and Strategy placement to get market penetration, taking care of Security threats

HuaweiTechnical Director | 5G-NSA/IMS/NFV/Cloud/EPC Core | Security Lead

Mar. 2017 - Dec. 2020Riyadh, Riyadh Region, Saudi ArabiaResponsibilities include: Technical Lead: I am responsible for guiding my team to handle L2/L3 technical issues of the Core network, including Sigtran/MAP/Camel signaling, Diameter/LTE, 3GPP interface troubleshooting, SCCP/MTP/TT routing, numbering plan management of ISDN/MGT, IR roaming signaling and error cause/logs troubleshooting by analyzing traces for end to end network (CS: MSC-MGW – OCS/IN – STP – SMSC – IMS/HSS – USSD-LBS-WRMS-OTA, PS: SGSN/USN-GGSN – PCRF-OCS-AAA-DNS-Core switch-Firewall) Project Delivery: Handling end to end delivery of new projects. Checking the feasibility of new mobile project using business case analysis and value streaming, then making the plan for scope, cost, and doing the risk management. Then supporting the team to deliver it, keeping the stake holders engaged, and performing acceptance with customer. Projects Delivered: 5G-NSA/NFV, Core Network Redundancy CS/PS, Firewall/Datacom/Networks Expansion and Cutovers, Multi-MNO, IR-Roaming Hub-BICS, MNP, LTE, AAA, Network Integrations, Anti-Spam Solutions Architecture: For all the new products integration with core network, I analyze the High level and low level design, perform the feasibility and compatibility checks, prepare the integration E2E plan after studying the design and then perform commissioning Digital Solutions Demonstration: I prepare solution framework, implementation, and integration strategy to the customer aiming to improve customer experience and increase revenue base, Smart Cities, VoLTE, VoWIFI, IMS, MULTI-MNO, MNP, 5G NSA/SA, NFV-Cloud Convergence, Blockchain as a Service, AI/ML, Automation, Value-added service solutions. Cyber Security Lead: I am responsible to perform GAP analysis as per the cybersecurity-CITC framework based on NIST/ISO27x standards, ensure that due care and diligence is accomplished in the network. Involves in the cybersecurity strategy, planning, and program management activities to ensure the network remains safe from cyber attacks.

HuaweiInfrastructure Team Lead | Project Manager

Apr. 2016 - Feb. 2017Saudi ArabiaI Led team cross-functional team of 10 highly qualified engineers, mainly supervised CS Core (SPS-STP/DRA/ HSS), PS Core (GGSN/PCRF/DNS/AAA), and DATACOM (L3 Switches-IP SEC/BGP), Database/OS, VAS(SMSC/USSD/RBT/VMS/MCN) operations as managed services in Lebara Telecom from Huawei. In addition to this, I was also responsible for providing Core E2E Solutions to Lebara Telecom to increase its business and subscriber base by working as a core-project manager. I was responsible for creating WBS, doing the project planning using Gantt charts using MS project and then monitoring and controlling using EVM then informing stakeholders timely to achieve customer satisfaction. I was also responsible for risk management of the project using risk registers and preparing their responses

HuaweiWireless Core Network Consultant | Cyber Security Advisor

Mar. 2015 - Mar. 2016Saudi ArabiaI was responsible for following duties in Mobily MNS Team and also support project team in activities related to Voice over broadband and HSS redundancy and CPCI to ATCA MSCs transition. • Ensuring that the Core Network O&M is carried out to maximize availability & system performance 24/7. • IMS deployment support and pre-launch testing related to VOLTE and Voice over broadband • Configuration/Troubleshooting for LTE roaming/IR (2G/3G/4G) subscribers in HSS, IMS, MSCs and DRA. • Providing Level-2 technical support & troubleshooting. • Trouble ticket escalation to the Level-3 support - in case there’s an Emergency or Business critical issue. • Ensuring strict SLA compliance to meet the department objectives according to the agreed level • Routine checks & system health checks (both hardware & software) of LIVE nodes to resolve anomalies. Projects Delivery – Mobily Project Support • 3G/4G Wireless HSS Redundancy project: I was responsible for preparing service and hardware level design then engaging with planning team to approve it. After that, I led the implementation team of 4 engineers. • Voice over broadband Project: I was part of the team who delivered this project, I was responsible for presenting the project scope to the customer and controlling it. Then I ensured that acceptance of the project is done successfully without bugs.

Ufone - Etisilat GroupCore (CS/PS) Network Specialist / Network Security

Sep. 2010 - Mar. 2015PakistanWorked as a Back office Core Network, key responsibilities include; Operations and maintenance of HUAWEI Soft Switch and Universal Media Gateway (Msoftx3000 and UMG8900), ATCA MSC , STP (SG7000),GU-HLR9820, and HUAWEI Voice Mail Server and MCN (UAP8100). Alarm Surveillance of Msoftx3000, SGSN/GGSN, HSS, ATCA MSC,UMG8900, SG7000, GU-HLR. Database Implementation (Trunk Offices, BSCs, Signaling Links, Circuit Addition/Dilution, LAC & Cell IDs of 2G and 3G sites) Voice and Signaling redundancy plan in case of major outage to avoid any service degradation. Creation of Backup routes in case of any major outages occur with Trunk offices. Coordination with Vendor for Fault identification and rectification. Investigate performance related issues on iManager 2000 Client across the network to identify the problematic areas and determine if the service degradation is impacting customers Traffic report analysis in order to identify KPI deviation and capacity issues for 2G and 3G Migration and Cutover of BSC’s and HLR’s IMSI Pairing and IMSI Uploading on HLR9820 . SCCPGT Translation on STP . Optimizing the system and reconfiguring software parameters, number analysis data, billing and CDR format in accordance with network requirement. Projects Managed– Ufone PTML • MSC Pooling implementation in South Region in which I played a crucial role in managing project plan with Vendor. • Deployment of ATCA MSC,R9 Media Gateway and roll out expansion from 2G to 3G • Deployment of GU-HLR9820 V9R6 from NG-HLR9820 V9R3 and performance of Software and Hardware ATPs. • Deployment of Huawei STP SG7000 and conducting Hardware and Software ATPs and Quality checks of the equipment are installed. • Expansion of MSC and MGWs and Launch of 3G Service in Ufone-PTML • Patch and License Upgrade activity of nationwide MSCs, NGHLR and STPs. • Redundancy of SCTP IP Path across all CS network nationwide