Khwaja is available for hire
Hire KhwajaKhwaja Zia ul Hasan
Verified Expert in Engineering
Cyber Security Architect and Developer
Location
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Toptal Member Since
October 21, 2022
Zia is a CISSP-certified Cyber Security Architect with more than 13 years of experience in the industry. He has worked on product-based security like SIEM, PAM, MFA, DLP, and endpoint protection solutions. Zia has experience in security architecture reviews, cloud security assessments with AWS, and security tool optimization projects.
Portfolio
Dig8Labs
BeyondTrust PAM, Amazon Web Services (AWS), ALGO, Network Security...
Redington Gulf
RSA SecurID, NetWitness, Endpoint Protection...
Trillium Information Security Systems
IBM QRadar, SIEM, Identity & Access Management (IAM), IT Security, Security
Experience
Availability
Part-time
Preferred Environment
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Windows, Linux, Privileged Access Management (PAM), SIEM
The most amazing...
...things I've achieved are receiving AlgoSec's MVP award and winning the first prize in threat hunting RSA's KSA event using the RSA NetWitness platform.
Work Experience
Security Architect
2020 - PRESENT
Dig8Labs
- Received a minimum viable product (MVP) award from AlgoSec, the market leader for network security policy management.
- Executed a security tool optimization project for one of the financial sectors.
- Conducted a cloud security assessment for a client with infrastructure hosted on AWS.
- Managed the company's cyber security solutions team.
- Performed network architecture reviews for several customers.
- Developed proofs of concept (POCs) and completed demonstrations, training sessions, and projects on the LogRhythm NextGen SIEM platform, BeyondTrust Password Safe, and the AlgoSec security management suite (ASMS).
- Implemented BeyondTrust Password Safe and integrated it with more than 300 assets for several leading banks.
- Completed the implementation of the LogRhythm NextGen SIEM platform and provided support for Dig8Labs customers.
- Designed solutions, gave presentations, demonstrations, webinars, and workshops, conducted evaluations, prepared proposals, and responded to requests for x (RFxs), and tenders for cybersecurity solutions.
Technologies: BeyondTrust PAM, Amazon Web Services (AWS), ALGO, Network Security, Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls), AutoIt, JSON, IT Security, Security
Security Consultant
2015 - 2019
Redington Gulf
- Implemented an RSA SecurID multi-factor authentication (MFA) solution for various clients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
- Conducted training sessions on Bluecoat ProxySG for several partners.
- Developed POCs for Symantec Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions for several customers.
- Acted as a pre-sales cybersecurity engineer, primarily working on technical sales of the RSA Advanced Security Operation Center (ASOC) Solution, identity and access management suite, and Symantec Integrated Cyber Defense Manager.
- Used product knowledge of RSA and Symantec solutions to deliver excellent customer service to customers, channel partners, and technology partners.
Technologies: RSA SecurID, NetWitness, Endpoint Protection, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), SIEM, Proxy Servers, Symantec, IT Security, Security
Lead Information Security Consultant
2014 - 2015
Trillium Information Security Systems
- Implemented IBM products, such as Security QRadar Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and QFlow.
- Developed POCs for IBM and CA's single sign-on (SSO) solutions.
- Created POCs for CA's shared account manager for a financial sector.
Technologies: IBM QRadar, SIEM, Identity & Access Management (IAM), IT Security, Security
Senior Information Security Engineer
2012 - 2014
Netsol
- Deployed an RSA SIEM solution called the RSA enVision platform for one of our clients.
- Conducted web application vulnerability assessments and penetration testing using tools like Acunetix, Crowbar, Burp Suite, sslstrip, PadBuster, and others.
- Performed network-based vulnerability assessment and penetration testing using various tools like Nessus, Nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, and others.
- Competed an IT security assessment using CIS, DISA, and NSA benchmarks.
- Conducted risk assessments of business processes and supporting systems according to ISO/IEC 27005 guidelines.
- Designed and conducted presentations, demonstrations, and evaluations. Prepared proposals for Barracuda, Fortinet, McAfee, Kaspersky, RSA, and IBM security solutions.
- Deployed and supported McAfee Data Loss Prevention Endpoint and Kaspersky Anti-Virus solutions.
Technologies: SIEM, Risk Assessment, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), IT Security, Security
Experience
Cloud Security Assessment for AWS Infrastructure
Performed a cloud security assessment following the State Bank of Pakistan requirements at a client's request. After considering all aspects of the AWS Well-Architected Framework security pillar, I proposed a redesigned model for them.
Optimization of Security Tools
Identified whether a Pakistani bank utilizes its security tools in an optimized and fully-functional way following its request for optimization of existing security tools. I prepared working papers for each domain and determined security gaps in the organization, missing functionalities, and functionalities that existed but were not utilized.
LogRhythm SIEM Implementation
Deployed the LogRhythm SIEM platform in the financial sector. This deployment included integrating devices like Microsoft Windows, Linux platforms, network devices, and databases. I also worked on dashboard creation, correlation of rules, and creation of reports.
BeyondTrust Password Safe Implementation
Implemented a BeyondTrust Password Safe solution for a financial sector and integrated around 200 assets. It also covered application onboarding using AutoIT scripting and custom platform creation for SSH-based devices.
Network Security Architecture Review
Performed a network security architecture review of a financial sector's core banking application. It covered devices' communications perspective, interactions with each node, segmentations, network access control lists (ACLs), and more.
Security Assessment for an Asset Management Sector
Performed a complete security assessment for an asset management organization using the top CIS 18 controls. It included all the domains of the CIS top 18. I shared a comprehensive report with the customer on findings and improvement suggestions.
RSA SecurID Implementation for a Ministry
Deployed the RSA SecurID platform in a high availability setup for one of the ministries of Saudi Arabia. It included integrations with operating systems, network devices, and applications. It also provided hardware and soft tokens to users.
Education
2007 - 2008
Master's Degree in Cyber Security
University of Bradford - Bradford, United Kingdom
2003 - 2007
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering
Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology - Karachi, Pakistan
Certifications
AUGUST 2021 - AUGUST 2023
AlgoSec Security Administrator
AlgoSec
OCTOBER 2014 - PRESENT
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
ISC2
Skills
Languages
ALGO, AutoIt
Industry Expertise
Cybersecurity, Network Security
Other
Privileged Access Management (PAM), SIEM, BeyondTrust PAM, RSA SecurID, CISSP, IT Security, Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls), Endpoint Protection, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Proxy Servers, Symantec, Security, NetWitness, Computer Engineering, Security Architecture, LogRhythm, BeyondTrust Password Safe, Identity & Access Management (IAM), Risk Assessment, Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Platforms
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Windows, Linux
Tools
IBM QRadar
Storage
JSON
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