Job Purpose:

• Manages 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.
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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.
• Analyze 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
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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.
• Act as 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, analyze 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.
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