CHIEDOZIE UGWUANYI
AJAH
Summary
Cybersecurity professional specializing in Network & Endpoint Security, Firewall Management, Cloud Security (Azure), Incident Response, Security Automation, Risk Assessment, Vulnerability Management, Threat Detection, IT Security Leadership, Project Management, and Compliance (ISO 27001, NIST, ITIL)
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
9
9
Certifications
Work History
Senior Cybersecurity Engineer
Zenith Bank Plc
LAGOS, Nigeria
02.2022 - Current
- Automated TLS certificate lifecycle management across on-premises and cloud environments, reducing service outages and operational risk.
- Managed selection, deployment, and administration of enterprise network and endpoint security systems including Check Point and Cisco ASA firewalls, Forcepoint Proxy, Forescout NAC, Cisco ISE (TACACS+), Intune (MDM), Carbon Black EDR, Trellix HX Antivirus and IPS, Arbor DDoS, Darktrace AI, Universal Threat Management, and Oneidentity PAM.
- Identified and mitigated network and infrastructure security risks through continuous risk assessments and security control evaluations.
- Implemented and managed enterprise routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP) ensuring high availability, secure traffic routing, and resilient inter-network connectivity.
- Facilitated Azure migration using Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) to ensure secure transition of critical services.
- Led deployment and management of 20,000+ endpoints, applying Antivirus, EDR, and application control.
- Participated in Blue Team operations for detection, containment, and remediation of security incidents.
- Coordinated with internal teams and third-party vendors to deliver projects and efficiently resolve security incidents.
- Conducted regular health checks, backups, patching, updates, and upgrades in compliance with change and release management processes.
- Maintained and updated security policies, procedures, and operational documentation to reflect system and process changes.
- Participated in design reviews for proposed technology solutions ensuring that appropriate levels of security are incorporated into designs.
- Conducted risk assessments on existing systems, platforms, and applications to identify vulnerabilities.
- Safeguarded data through installation of firewalls and data encryption programs.
Network Security Engineer
Polaris Bank Ltd
LAGOS, Nigeria
04.2019 - 02.2022
- Managed Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW), configuring security policies, monitoring traffic, troubleshooting incidents, and optimizing rules to enhance network security.
- Managed the end-to-end deployment, administration, monitoring, and lifecycle management of Network Security and Endpoint Security platforms, covering both legacy systems and newly introduced technologies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional infrastructure and application teams to support the implementation of Cisco ACI within a regulated banking environment.
- Implemented and administered VMware SD-WAN (VeloCloud) to improve WAN performance, resilience, availability, and application delivery.
- Administered SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) for proactive network monitoring, alerting, root-cause analysis, and performance optimization.
- Deployed and managed Site-to-Site IPsec VPNs and Palo Alto Remote Access VPNs, ensuring secure connectivity for internal and external users.
- Performed regular system health checks across all Network and Endpoint Security devices to maintain optimal performance, reliability, and uptime.
- Updated and maintained security policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and technical documentation, ensuring compliance with operational standards.
- Supervised security system backups, patching, updates, and upgrades, in alignment with the Bank’s Change and Release Management processes.
- Designed and deployed client VPN solutions to support secure remote access and work-from-home (WFH) initiatives.
- Provided network support for enterprise infrastructure, including switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers, and related hardware.
Network and Endpoint security Engineer
Access Bank
LAGOS, Nigeria
04.2018 - 04.2019
- Designed, implemented, supervised, and integrated secure enterprise network infrastructure for new bank branches, including LAN, WAN, and routing architectures.
- Configured, monitored, and troubleshot dynamic routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP), enhancing resilient and optimized network connectivity across branches.
- Implemented and supported Network Access Control (NAC) solutions to enforce authentication, authorization, and compliance for user and device access.
- Supported endpoint security controls, including endpoint protection, device compliance checks, and policy enforcement to reduce attack surface.
- Conducted comprehensive security assessments of networks, systems, and applications for the bank and its subsidiaries, identifying security risks and delivering actionable management reports.
- Automated monitoring of network and security for branch connectivity, leveraging HP Network Node Manager i (NNMi), PRTG Network Monitor, and ManageEngine Network Analyzer to track uptime, packet loss, and latency.
- Investigated security breaches, evaluated risk factors, and developed remediation plans.
Team Lead IT service Management(ITSM)
Access Bank Plc
LAGOS, Nigeria
02.2017 - 03.2018
- Delivered IT customer service and managed stakeholder relationships to enhance service delivery aligned with ITIL service value principles
- Prepared comprehensive IT and business service reports, detailing SLA, KPI, and service performance metrics to support informed decision-making
- Managed incident management processes to restore normal service operations within agreed SLAs
- Executed problem management processes, conducting root cause analysis (RCA) and implementing preventive controls to minimize recurrence of incidents
- Supervised IT service desk analysts, ensuring adherence to ITIL processes and ISO/IEC 20000 service requirements
- Provided application support and service operation support for business-critical
Head of branch Operations
Access Bank Plc
Ebonyi, Nigeria
01.2017 - 02.2017
- Led operations staff, managing operational risk and enhancing service delivery
- Developed banking operations workforce through targeted coaching and performance management
- Oversaw daily branch transactions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with control standards
- Owned and resolved customer issues end-to-end to ensure timely resolution and customer satisfaction
Deputy Head of Branch Operations
Access Bank Plc
LAGOS, Nigeria
04.2014 - 12.2016
- Collaborated with Branch Operations Manager on customer relationship management and operational risk mitigation initiatives, enhancing service quality.
- Aided branch operations manager in managing customer relationships and mitigating risks, contributing to operational stability.
- Oversee branch account financial management
- Supported branch financial account oversight, including transaction monitoring and reconciliation activities.
- Delivered technical support and operational management for Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), achieving high availability and minimizing downtime.
Education
Master of Science - Information Technology
National Open University of Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria01-2020
Bachelor of Engineering - Electronic Engineering
Univeristy of Nigeria Nsukka
Enugu, Nigeria02-2011
Skills
- Network security
- Endpoint security
- Cloud security/Engineering
- Incident response
- Threat analysis
- Risk assessment
- Secure network architecture
- SIEM & Log Management
- Certificate & PKI Management
- Compliance standards
- LAN/WAN Technologies
- Routing and switching
- Linux/Windows OS
- Project management
- Team leadership
Certification
•CISSP, •CCNP Security
Timeline
Senior Cybersecurity Engineer
Zenith Bank Plc
02.2022 - Current
Network Security Engineer
Polaris Bank Ltd
04.2019 - 02.2022
Network and Endpoint security Engineer
Access Bank
04.2018 - 04.2019
Team Lead IT service Management(ITSM)
Access Bank Plc
02.2017 - 03.2018
Head of branch Operations
Access Bank Plc
01.2017 - 02.2017
Deputy Head of Branch Operations
Access Bank Plc
04.2014 - 12.2016
Master of Science - Information Technology
National Open University of Nigeria
Bachelor of Engineering - Electronic Engineering
Univeristy of Nigeria Nsukka