My CV

July 2022 - Current

Senior Professional Services Engineer

As part of the professional services team, I'm involved in researching and implementing technological solutions that are in line with business strategy. Working with the client, internal teams and external partners.

A few key achievements in this tenure include:

• Taking a lead role in implementing projects, whilst co-ordination with the Client, stakeholders, 3rd Party suppliers and other members of the implementations team.
• Planning and balancing project resources for implementation, and proposals.
• Researching new solutions to ensure that clients are getting the right solution that fits their business need and technical requirements.
• Internal lead on the corporate network.
• Internal Lead on Information and Cyber Security aspects of the corporate network, balancing the needs and requirements of security within the business whilst ensuring that systems are still usable.

July 2020 - July 2022

Project Support Engineer

Providing IT Managed Service support to businesses located throughout Tayside, Angus, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

As part of the projects team, I'm involved in implementing technological solutions that are in line with business strategy. Using Agile methodology, we work with the client, so that we can assist them in realising the business benefit to their IT investment, whilst assuring minimal amounts of down time so that we there is as little disruption to their business as possible.

A few key achievements in this tenure include:

• Managing projects throughout implementation, ensuring they are completed to the highest standards and maintaining client satisfaction.
• Pre-sales advice to clients on what technologies may fit in with their business strategies.
• Implementation of innovative solutions to barriers that are preventing organisations fully switching to remote working during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Working with engineers from Visism UK, to configure and install Marine Systems (VHF,DMR,AIS,Wave Radar,PCoIP) as part of the Seagreen Wind Energy Offshore Wind Farm. Further details can be found Here.
• Working with engineers from Vissim, SSE, SWEL, Neos and Vestas, the creation, design and implementation of a temporary Point to Point and Point to MultiPoint network to support temporary control of the installed wind turbines offshore whilst parts of the permanent network are still being built. Further deatils can be found Here.

November 2019 - April 2020

Cyber Security Research Assistant

Fixed Term Contract working with the Division of Cyber Security in the School of Design and Informatics to work on a collaborative EU project named FORESIGHT, funded by the European Commission, Horizon 2020 programme. The project aims to develop a federated Cyber Range solution to enhance the preparedness of Cyber Security professionals. As a research assistant, I supported the Abertay University staff involved in the project with a focus on conducting a review of the field, and eliciting requirements for the federated Cyber Range solution. As part of the Foresight protect I liaised with members of the 22 European partners whilst working on the parts of the research project that were assigned to Abertay University, participated in weekly conference calls, and attended in person meetings with project partners.

A few key achievements in this tenure include:

• Researching the tasks that I'd been assigned to elicit the requirements for the Human Computer Interaction aspects of the Foresight Platform.
• Researching the tasks that I'd been assigned to elicit the requirements for the Visualisation Techniques aspects of the Foresight Platform.
• Documenting these into the main requirements documents for submission to the EU H2020 Program.
• Attended User Group meetings to discuss the above topics, along with discussing what other topics within the project.
• Conducted Interviews of potential users of the Cyber Range Platform, and transcribed those interviews into a format that could be analysed by project partners.

August 2016 - July 2020

Self Employed IT Consultant

Providing IT support to local business on a self-employed basis. During this period, I've been involved in Microsoft 365 implementations, configuration of Azure AD domains, and linking them to on-premise AD environments. I've also completed network troubleshooting, and network design keeping in mind current legislation and best practice that assisted in clients gaining PCI-DSS Compliance for their premises.

A few key achievements in this tenure include:

• Extracting requirements from clients and making suggestions on how to improve their IT infrastructures.
• Keeping in contact with clients for any faults that were raised.
• Keeping upto date with Technological developments that may relate to them.
• Assisting in keeping their networks in regulatory compliance, cententrating with payment card industry requirement.

September 2013 - August 2017

Senior IT Officer (Infrastructure)

Provided technical leadership and guidance in managing and maintining the server infrastructure and telecoms systems. Streamlined IT department operation with collaboration of infrastructure and helpdesk team. Developed and executed the strategy for three large company integration's; achieved significant efficiencies of scale and standardised processes that maintained service quality throughout the transition. Diagnosed errors or technical problems and determined propesed solutions to maintain daily network security requirements of the group of companies. Held responsibilities for linemanagement activities for both teams, including authorising expenses, appraisals, and back to work interviews to keep in line with current group policies. Expertly led technical operations of department from concept through implementation, with full accountability for timelines, milestones, risk assessment, budget, and delivery. Managed IT operations and infrastructure budgets and assets.

A few key achievements in this tenure include:

• Improved Improved the efficiency and security of the systems by configuring and installing different required software patches and firmware.
• Upgraded the current system according to current developments, added and developed new systems in current infrastructure to fulfil business requirements and met compliance.
• Shared best solutions with team members to streamline their daily operations.
• Implemented policies and procedures for business continuity and regulatory compliance.
• Achieved team performance targets in relation to the agreed SLA's.
• Increased department efficiencies through new processes, standards, and staff development.

September 2009 - September 2013

IT Officer (Infrastructure)

Performed day to day maintenance and programming for the inter-site telephone system. Prepared user training and provided guidance to the users regarding new systems. Played a key role in the tendering process for replacement of the managed IP VPN MPLS. Migrated Data Centre to the new head office building. Developed, upgraded, and maintained the server infrastructure for the Hillcrest Group.

A few key achievements in this tenure include:

• Troubleshooting network systems and recommended improvements to infrastructure.
• Introduced and deployed the internal inter-site phone system covering sites across Dundee, Angus, Perthshire, and Midlothian.
• Maintained and updated the Dell EqualLogic SAN and associated front-end host infrastructure based on Citrix XenServer.
• Configured and implement XenServer, XenApp, and Access Gateway.
• Created DR server systems, hosts based on XenServer and using Double-Take for data replication and failover control.

April 2007 - September 2009

IT Assistant

Part of a small team providing telephone support for our remote users via the IT Helpdesk. Checking Backups run on a daily basis. Logging calls into the IT Helpdesk call logging system.

A few key achievements in this tenure include:

• Implementation of a new Service Desk Ticketing Application.
• Taking calls and logging them into the Service Desk Application.
• Progressing calls within agreed SLAs.
• Liasing with 3rd party suppliers for escalated calls.

June 2006 - April 2007

Technical Support Agent

Additional Experience working on behalf of the BT Business Broadband Technical Helpdesk and Faults Management Team.

September 2017 - September 2018

Master of Science with Merit in Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security

Ethical Hacking is the process of evaluating the security of a computer system by simulating an attack by a malicious hacker. This course was designed to teach students how to think like a hacker, providing them with a deep understanding of security issues and concerns.

Modules Completed:

September 2002 - April 2005

Diploma of Higher Education in Internet and Communication Technologies

This course was initially within the School of Engineering within Abertay University, however merged into the School of Computing.

The course covered the basics of communication technologies inclusing web design and developement, networking, analogue and digital principles.

Modules Completed: