Manager - Network & Security - Aldar Education-2200008Y

Job Description

Manager - Network & Security - Aldar Education - (2200008Y)DescriptionAldar Education is currently seeking an Manager Network & Security to support our growing family of owned and operated schools in the UAE. Due to planned current and future expansion we are looking to add to our current IT Infrastructure team supporting our British, US and IB curricula network of schools.The successful candidates will be closely aligned with our core values and ethos and possess a genuine understanding and appreciation of the values of the region.Job Purpose

• Designs and architects LAN/MAN/WAN data and communication network infrastructure and security, data transport media/mediums, interface types, interior & exterior gateway protocols, firewalls, antivirus, load balancers, multiple ingress/egress paths to the Internet, and satellite/branch office connectivity
• Establishes organizational wide standards for products, platforms, appliance-based solutions related to network and communication technologies / Security technologies that are adopted
• Maintain and ensure network and security infrastructure is aligned as per 5 years technology plan/roadmaps/visions set by Group Head of IT.
• Develop network and security policy and maintain ongoing assessment of security environment and recommend solutions for safeguarding the internal and external networks
• Manage and ensure that IT Disaster Recovery solutions are updated, tested and operated correctly during disasters, ensuring business continuity.

Responsibilities:Main Duties:

• Perform POC?s and assessment for different tech projects such as upgrades, conversions, infrastructure replacements and improvements.
• Be the subject matter expert in all network & security technologies and provide direction and guidance to IT management and assist in their decision making.
• Manage and supervise system integrators and principal manufacturers to design, implement, and deliver network and security projects.
• Develop wireless performance data, metrics, algorithms, and reports to measure and track client, attendee, and staff wireless experiences against service standards.
• Monitor overall network and security landscape ensuring all are aligned as per set AE standard.
• Establish practices and procedures to maintain network and security infrastructure.
• Ownership of the complete IT Disaster Recovery assets and plan.
• Direct and utilize knowledge on best practices in area related to network and security infrastructure.
• Manage the requirement gathering and RFP creation to deliver network and security technologies that meet business needs.
• Analyse existing technology landscape and research latest tech to propose new solutions or technology upgrades to improve the performance and security.
• Manage and supervise network and security analysts/engineers/technicians to provide leadership and direction.
• Resolve escalated L2 & L3 technical issues and coordinate with internal and external parties until closure.
• Establish firewall and security policies and configuration standards across AE business streams

Specific Duties:

• Design, implement, operate, maintain and monitor Enterprise Network (Aruba, Juniper, Cisco), IP Telephony (Cisco Unity) and Enterprise Network Security infrastructure (Fortigate, Palo Alto, Juniper).
• Monitor MPLS, IOE, and other data communication links and provide periodic reports.
• Manage ISP?s, vendors and SI?s.
• Be the link between Aldar Properties and Aldar Education for all Network & Security matters.
• Maintain network standardization and network equipment specifications
• Manage network assets (i.e. network hardware and software, monitoring tools).
• Ensure network changes and supports are recorded in ITSM and following the corporate SLAs where applicable.
• Responsible for relevant Change Management processes related to Network and Security
• Maintain support contracts for network infrastructure devices.
• Generate various performance reports, analyse those reports and make a recommendation to improve the network performance.
• Evaluate new network hardware and network solutions. Work with vendor/system integrators and principal manufacturer for new solutions design.
• Ensure that all Network & Security technologies, policies and procedures across Aldar Education business streams are up to date, based on best practice and of the highest standards.
• Guide the preparation of tendering documents (RFP, BoQ?s, SoW?s) and perform the technical assessment.
• Coordinate security issues with IT Team and external security consultants.
• Conducts system security audits as per assigned schedule to detect weaknesses in the security system as per Aldar Education quality standards and procedures.
• Plan and guide VAPT activities across the group.
• Supervise the technical integration of new schools and expansion projects, providing guidance to engineers and ensuring all standards and requirements are met.
• Prepares routine & special reports to highlight IT security issues/concerns/criticalities.

QualificationsMinimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Communication or Computer Engineering
• Network Certification: CCNA, preferably CCNP
• CCNA Security or equivalent
• MSCE
• Brand specific certifications are a plus, such as Aruba and Cisco

Minimum Experience

• 12+ Years of experience in IT networking including administration and project management of IT infrastructure.

Job Specific Knowledge & SkillsJob Specific Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of Network Protocols, network components, network operating systems and Security Standards.
• Hands-on Knowledge of procedures used for installation, modification, maintenance and repair of IT network hardware appliance, virtual appliance, and software.
• Strong knowledge of below network technologies,

• TCP/IP and IP Subnetting
• Structure cabling / Passive Networking
• Switching ? Juniper, Cisco
• Routing ? Juniper, Cisco
• Wireless ? Aruba, Cisco
• IP Telephony ? Cisco IP Telephony
• NAC Solution - Aruba
• Perimeter and Core Firewall ? Juniper SRX, Palo Alto, Fortigate.
• Central network management and monitoring tools ? Juniper STRM, Panorama,
• VPN ? Site-to-Site IPSec VPN, Client-based and Client-less SSL/IPSec VPN
• DMZ networking
• Web Application Firewall ? On-premise and Cloud-based WAF
• Anti-Virus Administration,
• Management and Monitoring Tool ? SolarWinds, PRTG
• Virtualization and DR Solution ? VMWare vSphere and SRM
• SAN Storage ? DellEMC, Pure Storage

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