Vishal Nishad

As a Cloud Engineer in the Cloud Network Engineering team, my team and I managed the AWS Network estate for the organisation. Ensuring 100% uptime for thousands of multi-region accounts with security as top priority. Propose changes to improve previous setup and updating of outdate IaC codes. Solve problems faced by applications team regarding network access while still ensuring compliance with regulations. Presenting sound solutions to management regarding issues affecting cloud network. Mentoring and guiding junior engineers with tasks. Working on and configuring pipelines to ensure smooth CI/CD experience for the team. Assisting other teams with issues they are facing using my experiences in other domains.

As their only DevOps Engineer, I was tasked with handling the organization’s cloud infrastructure within AWS, I pushed for IaC deployments using Terraform and implemented it. Created terraform modules specific to our environment to enable fast deployment of resources when required. Improved the CI/CD pipeline with best practices and image vulnerability scanning. I also helped in Security related requirements, doubling up as a Security Engineer by creating Security Policies and Business Continuity Plans for the organization. Drove initiative to reduce AWS usage costs by proposing alternate solutions to current practices. I also implemented the use of IAM for authentication, 2FA for AWS resource access and VPC subnet segmentation to ensure security between apps. Implemented many best practices for Cloud Infrastructure. 

As part of the DevOps team under Technical Operations team, I handle deployments on AWS with Terraform which deploys ElasticSearch Clusters and F- Secure’s Managed Detect and Response software. Perform migration of on- premises servers to AWS as well as new deployments on AWS. Manage more than 500 AWS ec2 instances with puppet configurations. Work in sprints using agile methodology on Jira platform as we work across multiple time zones. Implement Jenkins pipelines for CI/CD to deploy right from Git to AWS Elastic Kubernetes Services (EKS) using Terraform and Helm. Support Software Developers to build software and backends according to their requirements and assist with containerization of software. Ensuring all IAM roles and policies adhere to strict security compliance. Working on tight timelines to deliver quality services to internal and external customers. 

Exploring new technologies to enable current engineers to do more with less. Writing python scripts and using automation tools to deploy and orchestrate network appliances. Reducing turnaround time for configuration generation and eliminating human errors with automation. Deploying and guiding network engineers with deployment and configuration of Linux based systems as per customer requirements. 

Tasked with managing Linux infrastructure, DNS & DHCP servers, SMTP relay servers as well as Veritas Netbackup, KEMP Load Balancers and SSL Certificate management. Perform monitoring of servers and applications using monitoring tools such as Nagios. Create bash scripts and simple ansible scripts to perform routine task. Take up and initiate ad-hoc projects like upgrade of SMTP relay servers to add redundancy and high availability as well as backup solution upgrade. I also perform procurement of licenses and subscription for various products and services, domain name acquisition, hardware replacement and preventive maintenance, manage Windows Hyper-V servers which run most of the Linux servers. Received recognition of Service Excellence Award for the SMTP upgrade project for a project completed successfully and promptly. 

Started as an Operations Specialist, in 2012, with NCS mainly doing first level troubleshooting and reporting. Worked with backup tapes and monitoring batch jobs. Triggered code deployment on Jenkins for developers. Escalated issues to next level engineer in timely manner. Was promoted to Systems Specialist, in 2013, where I supervised junior operators and performed simple troubleshooting in UNIX based systems. After gaining experience and knowledge, I proceeded to perform maintenance and infrastructure support. Some major projects were technology refresh for Ministry of Manpower (MOM), taking over new projects and being one of the first few to handle Oracle Engineered System Exalogic x2-2 in Singapore. Managed entire MOM's UNIX system backups using NetBackup and HP Data Protector. Used bash scripts to simplify and automate daily jobs. Headed POC projects as well. Promoted again, in 2015, to Associate Consultant, Systems. 

Selected as a Squad In-Charge while in training. Passed out with a rank of Sergeant as a Neighborhood Police Centre Officer. Involved in daily policing while also performing important duties like smooth operation of General and Presidential Election and safeguarding government officials including PM Lee Hsien Loong. Also received commanders award for good arrests.