Ashraf Siddiqui

A Multi-Cloud Network Security Engineer · sudoashraf@protonmail.com

Academically I hold a Masters Degree in Computing Systems & Infrastructure from BITS Pilani. With over 10 years of work experience in IT as a Network Security & Cloud Operations Engineer, I am now looking to explore techniques for automation using Python.

Additionally, while learning Python, I developed interest in its application of web development using Django which inturn led me to learn HTML5, CSS3 and Javascript. I am now starting web development for a hobby.

Experience

Senior Principal SDET

Calsoft Inc.
  • Deployed SD-WAN Solutions on Cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, GCP and OCI
  • Performed multi-cloud networking with Orchestator & Edges deployed in multiple clouds
  • Troubleshooted issues with cloud native tools like AWS CloudWatch, Azure Montior, etc.
  • Inspected Docker logs & managed containers with Kubernetes clusters (EKS, AKS, OKE & GKE)
  • Developed python application to automate network topology deployment on AWS, OCI, etc.
  • Automated network and cloud deployment tasks using terraform scripts
  • Performed test execution using REST API, CLI and UI for SD-WAN Orchestrator
February 2021 - Present

Principal SDET

Calsoft Inc.
  • Performed intensive initial research and analysis on the network devices or solution
  • Deployed Network Solutions in lab to replicate actual customer environment
  • Developed logic for modeling network devices or solutions and assist developers
  • Created and maintained Functional Specification and Test Cases document
  • Tracked the plugin development progress on various collaboration tools
  • Tested alpha and beta versions of the plugins for their features modelled
  • Delivered deep dive plugin demonstration to the end customer
October 2019 - January 2021

Network Consultant

Persistent Systems
  • Provided assistance to clients for onboarding into ISMA Cloud Architecture
  • Designed Network Solutions for On-Premise Customers for their extended Cloud Environment
  • Prepared an overall end-to-end Network diagram illustrating the entire Environment
  • Defined Firewall rules for the cloud environment including NAT for Internet Breakout
  • Provisioned Load Balancing solutions for different hosted services in the Cloud Environment
  • Combined different network connectivity options for solutioning a Hybrid Cloud Environment
  • Troubleshooted issues with IPSec VPN, traffic latency, load balancing, firewall restriction, etc.
June 2017 - September 2019

Senior Systems Engineer

Infosys Ltd
  • Provided consulting from security perspective in a Multi Data Center Environment
  • Worked closely with Information Security Team and analysed the significance of firewall rules
  • Performed timely upgrades to security devices including Palo Alto & CheckPoint Firewalls
  • Kept track of IP addresses and DNS entries of the network infrastructure using Infoblox
  • Created and modified VIP instances and extended VIP parameters on Radware Load balancers
  • Troubleshooted network issues by taking packet captures & analyzing them in Wireshark
  • Conducted training sessions on Security domain and maintain respective Knowledge Base
October 2015 - May 2017

Systems Engineer

Infosys Ltd
  • Provided technical support as a Senior Juniper TAC Engineer
  • Troubleshooted issues on SSG, ISG and NS devices for organizations around the globe
  • Replicated customer scenarios in lab and provide solution in a timely manner
  • Assisted customers to make design changes in their network w.r.t. the recommended standards
  • Provided upgrades to the network and technical expertise as needed by various Juniper Clients
  • Handled customers escalations and assist them in resolving their issues
  • Ensured customer devices are running with the recommended hardware & software versions
January 2014 - October 2015

Systems Engineer - Trainee

Infosys Ltd
  • Joined Infosys as a Systems Engineer – Trainee from College’s On-Campus selection process
  • Underwent the Intermediate level campus training of Infosys Ltd in its Mysore Campus
  • Underwent Generic level training in Java, RDBMS and Web Technologies
  • Underwent Basic to Intermediate level training in Computer Networking
  • Practical labs on Cisco Packet Tracer, GNS3 and Wireshark
August 2013 - December 2013

Portfolio

Subnet Calculator
Subnet Calculator
LAN Scanner
LAN Scanner
WAN Scanner
WAN Scanner
Hello Device
Hello Device

Education

Birla Institue of Technology & Science, Pilani

M. Tech in Computing Systems & Infrastructure

CGPA: 7.18

Class of 2019

M. H. Saboo Siddik College of Engineering, Mumbai

B. E. in Computers

CGPA: 6.31

Class of 2012

Dnyanasadhana College, Thane

H. S. C. in Science

CGPA: 7.58

Class of 2008

Navodaya English High School, Thane

S. S. C.

CGPA: 7.83

Class of 2006

Projects

Design & Operation of Modular Underwater Data Center

Part of M. Tech Cirriculum

This dissertation work describes in detail; the planning, designing and operating of a Modular Underwater Data Center. Right from the decision of site selection and space requirements to overcoming operating and maintenance challenges, it extensively elaborates why considering Indian waters for building an underwater Data Center is really a good idea.

May 2019

Intruder Detection System using Raspberry Pi and Computer Vision

Part of M. Tech Cirriculum

This project work was an assignment in Cyber Physical Systems course of M. Tech programme. In this project a Pi Camera was attached to a Raspberry Pi SBC which could capture real time images of an Intruder from a live feed automatically as soon as it detects motion and send it to an Administrator using a cloud storage API.

October 2018

Car Parking System using Image Processing

Part of B. E. Cirriculum

This project was a part of final semester project work in B.E. degree course. It involved usage of simple web cameras which would take images of cars at the gate of the parking facility and depending on the size of the car (being categorized as small, medium and large for Hatchback, Sedan and SUVs respectively) would allocate parking space in the parking lot.

May 2012

Skills

Languages, Tools & Technologies

Interests

In my free time while I am not gazing at the stars or trying to write something poetic; I try to learn new things, perform networking experiments on GNS3 and share them online.

I also enjoy watching a number of documentaries, sci-fi and comedy genre movies and television shows.

Awards & Certifications

  • Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert [AZ-400]
  • Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator [AZ-104]
  • Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals [AZ-900]
  • Juniper Networks Certified Associate: Automation & DevOps [JNCIA-DevOps]
  • Aruba Accredited SD-WAN Expert (Formerly Silver-Peak Certified SD-WAN Expert [SPSX])
  • Aruba Accredited SD-WAN Preessional (Formerly Silver-Peak Certified SD-WAN Professional [SPSP])
  • Aviatrix Certified Engineer (ACE) – Multi Cloud Network Associate [MCNA]
  • Conducted guest lectures on Computer Networks at M. H. Saboo Siddik College of Engineering, Mumbai on July ’18, ‘19 and '22.
  • Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer 7 [PCNSE7]
  • Check Point Certified Security Administrator [CCSA]
  • Juniper Networks Certified Internetwork Specialist [JNCIS x 3]
  • Accomplished Network Security Specialist course offered by International CyberSecurity Institute.
  • Accomplished online course on Cryptography with 81.2% offered by Stanford University.
  • Published paper on “Vision Based Intelligent Car Parking Assistance System” at a National level Conference held at VNCET’12.
  • Organizing Event Head at CSI’s LAN Gaming Event (Game Lords) for 3 consecutive years.
  • Scored 93% in NIIT’s National I.T. Aptitude Test (NITAT) and was placed in top 7% of participants.