
Benson Thuo
Verified Expert in Engineering
Support Specialist Developer
Benson is a highly skilled security and network developer with a solid IT background and a proven history of excellence in implementations, post-go-live support, cybersecurity, and network and system administration. His expertise in renowned companies across diverse sectors, including agriculture, telecommunications, carbon credit, and event management. Currently overseeing the IT security of more than fifty companies, Benson's adaptability and proficiency make him a standout professional,
Portfolio
Experience
Availability
Preferred Environment
SAP, Linux, SAP Security, IT Networking, Infrastructure, Active Directory Federation, Information Security, IT Administration, Windows System Administration, Solution Architecture, DNS Configuration, APIs, Windows, Windows 10, System Administration
The most amazing...
...achievement: an object-oriented program for more than 50 companies, ensuring segregation of duties, mitigating fraud, and upholding data privacy and security.
Work Experience
Systems Developer
Real Estate Company (via Toptal)
- Integrated email systems with a diverse range of third-party applications and platforms by streamlining the exchange of information, documents, and data, accelerating decision-making and resulting in a more agile and competitive organization.
- Oversaw the establishment of a video hosting platform that prioritizes confidentiality and privacy and maintains integrity, preventing tampering and unauthorized modifications and ensuring videos are presented as intended, free from manipulation or distortion.
- Implemented an innovative email tracking solution with real-time visibility into email interactions, enabling data-driven decisions and optimizing communication strategies by seamlessly integrating existing communication infrastructure.
IT Support | Security Specialist
Carbon Credit Company (via Toptal)
- Designed and implemented workflows for the onboarding process and transformed the task into a seamless, efficient, and secure process. It also ensured strict adherence to security protocols and compliance standards, mitigating risks and bolstering integrity.
- Designed reports that generate insights into mobile device management to efficiently manage a diverse array of devices across multiple countries and time zones with real-time visibility into the progress of device set up for our international users.
- Developed a comprehensive and forward-looking ICT policy that addresses the ever-evolving technological landscape. This policy is a guiding beacon, aligning our organization's IT initiatives with its overarching goals and objectives.
SAP Security Administrator
Kenya Tea Development Agency Limted
- Managed a team of five, including system administrators and QAs, to successfully execute a large-scale SAP implementation for a sales and marketing company, optimizing processes and enhancing efficiency.
- Successfully coached and reviewed three developers while efficiently overseeing SAP end user accounts' configuration, administration, and maintenance and ensured flawless permissions and access rights management across diverse client environments.
- Guided management in implementing SOD compliance within the SAP controlling module. Imposed controlled restrictions on areas, orders, cost centers, and groups, mitigated fraud risks, and ensured robust data privacy.
- Efficiently supported user authorization and account administration for 50+ companies, mitigating fraud risks and ensuring data privacy. Safeguarded critical data, earning trust as a reliable guardian of digital assets.
- Demonstrated exceptional project management skills, ensuring seamless system migration within set release periods. Meticulously documented changes and secured signoff, guaranteeing a successful and on-time implementation.
- Implemented security tools, fortifying over 50 companies' SAP ERP systems against intrusion and ABAP code penetration. Ensured robust monitoring, detection, and prevention, safeguarding sensitive data and bolstering cyber resilience.
System and Network Administrator
Kenya Tea Development Agency Limited
- Designed network specifications from user requirements, analyzing workflow, access, information, and security requirements.
- Designed, configured, and analyzed requirements and appropriate servers (over 60 in the head office) for deploying different applications.
- Evaluated and identified the effectiveness of the current architecture, business security issues, and loopholes and took remedial action.
- Maintained network performance by monitoring and analyzing usage trends and tune performance.
- Troubleshooted network problems and escalated from ICT services, seven regional offices, all 68 factories, and KTDA subsidiaries where necessary.
- Advised on networking standards and specifications for various networking needs and evaluated and implemented best technologies for optimal performance.
- Oversaw the implementation of networking projects in the organization to ensure they were carried out according to the expected standards and procedures.
- Identified potential network infrastructure systems threats, monitored and analyzed the intrusion detection system (IDS) and implemented mitigation.
- Ensured the integrity and protection of networks, systems, and applications by technical enforcement of organizational security policies.
- Liaised with relevant officers from ICT-Services, ICT Business Systems, RICTCs, FSAs, and a security administrator, to ensure network availability and that the server system resources flow flawlessly.
Chief Technology Officer
Sunflower Events
- Led a four-person technical team to developed and implement an IT infrastructure solution across software, IT networks, and IT security disciplines ensuring systems availability to more than thirty system users.
- Implemented an accounting application that eradicated manual processes and paperwork while increasing the process's efficiency. It also helped run payroll and generate reports that helped management make decisions.
- Implemented remote work software that enabled 10+ users to work from home during the COVID-19 period. The same application helped me to support remote users and ensured business process continuity.
IT Solutions Architect
Safaricom
- Designed information systems that deliver strategically using business acumen and understanding organization strategy. Showed strong knowledge of enterprise architecture methodologies such as TOGAF or the equivalent.
- Assessed a broad range of information solutions and products, particularly document management, collaboration, and content management.
- Explained technical concepts to lay audiences and worked with board-level stakeholders.
ICT Officer
Nexus Networx
- Offered technical support on-site, via phone, or by email.
- Configured computer networks and structured cabling.
- Installed hardware and software systems and maintained or repaired equipment.
- Provided technical support services and closed-circuit television installation.
Experience
Project Imarisha for Kenya Tea Development Agency Limited
https://news.sap.com/africa/2022/09/kenya-tea-development-agency-brews-perfect-technology-mix/Efficient SAP ERP implementation: seamless SAP ERP deployment. Ensuring the implementation process was smooth and aligned with each company's unique requirements.
Thorough users, roles, and authorizations management: data security and access controls meticulously defined user roles and authorizations for various personnel within each organization by tailoring the configurations to match specific roles and responsibilities and enhanced system integrity, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
Cross-module expertise: Our comprehensive expertise spanned multiple modules, including finance, controlling, sales and distribution, and quality assurance. This proficiency allowed us to address the diverse needs of each company and ensure the ERP's seamless integration with existing systems and processes.
Streamlining Onboarding Excellence
The workflow also ensured strict adherence to security protocols and compliance standards, mitigating potential risks and bolstering data integrity. By automating this critical process, you have freed up valuable time for HR and IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives, driving innovation and growth throughout the organization.
Accounting and Payroll Automation Using Quickbooks
Empowering Informed Decisions with Comprehensive Reports
The reports provide real-time visibility into the status of Rippling agent installations, enabling the IT department to monitor and manage device onboarding seamlessly. This enhanced oversight has resulted in reduced set up times, ensuring that new employees can access the resources they need from the moment they join the team. The reports capture device condition, and health has proactively identified and addressed potential hardware and software issues. Maintenance teams can now optimize their workflows, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity across the organization. The computer inventory reports have streamlined asset tracking and resource allocation.
Skills
Languages
ABAP, PHP, Java, SQL, C#
Tools
SAP Security, VPN, SAP Quality Assurance (QA), SAP Portal, SAP Controlling (CO), SAP S/4HANA, Microsoft Excel, Spreadsheets, Microsoft Exchange, SAP Solution Management, VMware, SAP Workflow, SAP PM, Slack, Zoom, Notion, Azure Active Directory B2C (ADB2C)
Paradigms
Scrum, Agile, Penetration Testing, Change Management, Testing, ITIL, Requirements Analysis, Database Design, Agile Software Development
Platforms
Windows, SAP HANA, Linux, Microsoft, Windows Server, MacOS, Windows Server 2016, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Azure, WordPress, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Storage
SAP S4 HANA Cloud Services, FibreChannel, Database Security, Google Cloud, Database Modeling, Azure Active Directory, Databases
Industry Expertise
IT Security, Security, Cybersecurity, Network Security
Other
SAP, SAP HR Security, SAP BI Security, Networks, IP Networks, WiFi, Cisco, Cisco Switches, Firewalls, Authorization, Data Privacy, Networking, Policy, SAP Enterprise Portal, Microsoft Office, Web Development, Algorithms, Data Structures, Scrum Master, Scrum Product Owner, Authentication, User Authentication, IT Audits, Back-end Admin Systems, SANs, Business Continuity Planning (BCP), Disaster Recovery Plans (DRP), Cisco Routers, LAN, WAN, Access Control, DNS, Linux Servers, SAP ERP, Customer Support, Solution Design, Presales, Projects, CCNA, CompTIA Network+ Certification, IT Infrastructure, SAP Implementation, SAP Integration, User Roles, IT Support, MacBook, System Administration, Monitoring, Procure to Pay, IoT Security, Antivirus Software, Anti-spam Protection, Google, Network Protocols, Google+, L3 Network Protocol, HR Tools, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), System Service & Hardware Control, IT, IT Networking, Infrastructure, Technical Writing, Technical Documentation, Documentation, FortiGate, DHCP, Universal Router, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Wireless Systems, Fortinet Firewall Configuration, Hotspot, PCI, Servers, Architecture, Design, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Active Directory Federation, Excel Expert, CTO, Leadership, Information Security, IT Administration, GoDaddy, Microsoft 365, Windows 11, SAP Testing, IT Management, Reports, Office 365, IT Automation, Solution Architecture, Windows System Administration, Gmail, Email, Google Workspace, Business Services, DNS Configuration, Technical Consulting, Technical Leadership, Windows 10, DMZ Networks, Network Operation Centers (NOC), Audits, SAP HCM, IP PBX, PBX, VLANs, SAP Warehouse Management System (WMS), Network Management Stations (NMS), APIs, Data Encryption, eCommerce, IT Project Management, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), Domain DNS Setup, Cisco Wireless, User Flows, Troubleshooting, Intuit QuickBooks, QuickBooks Point of Sale, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Advance Reporting, Excel 365, Mobile Device Management (MDM), iOS Mobile Device Management (MDM), Workflow, HubSpot CRM, HubSpot
Frameworks
Windows PowerShell
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology - Nairobi, Kenya
Certifications
Privacy and Data Protection for Champions
The Computer Society of Kenya
Scrum Fundamentals Certified
Scrum.org
SAP ADM950: Secure System Management
SAP
SAP ADM940: AS ABAP Authorization Concept
SAP
SAP ADM: 900 System Security Fundamentals
SAP
Salesforce Certified Administrator in Enterprise Linux
SUSE
CompTia Network + Support Skills
CompTIA