Infrastructure & Cloud Lead  ·  UAE

Afsal
Pallikkara

CISSP  ·  Microsoft Azure  ·  Zero Trust

I build infrastructure that organisations can trust and security frameworks that scale without friction. A decade of enterprise-grade delivery across cloud architecture, cybersecurity, and digital transformation in the UAE.

10+
Years Experience
500+
Endpoints Secured
1,400+
Users Migrated
5+
Environments Delivered
AP
Afsal Pallikkara
Infrastructure & Cloud Lead  ·  UAE
🔐
CISSP Certified
ISC² · Information Security
Microsoft Azure
Entra ID · Intune · Defender Suite
🛡
Zero Trust Architecture
Conditional Access · DLP · MFA
📍
United Arab Emirates
Open to Advisory Engagements

About

How I Think About
Enterprise Technology

Security and infrastructure are not cost centres — they are the foundation on which business velocity is built or broken.

“The infrastructure decisions made today create the constraints or capabilities the business will live with for the next decade. Build for trust first, scale second, and convenience last.”

With over a decade in UAE enterprise environments, I have led everything from first-ever cybersecurity programmes to greenfield Azure deployments, large-scale M365 migrations, and Zero Trust architecture rollouts. In my current role I lead infrastructure and cloud strategy across a multi-entity holding group — designing for resilience, security, and commercial alignment from the outset.

My approach combines deep technical ownership with growing executive-level thinking — actively building toward a Director of Cloud & Infrastructure track, backed by a structured certification roadmap and concurrent leadership development.

01
Zero Trust Architecture
Identity-first security across Conditional Access, Entra ID governance, and network segmentation — eliminating implicit trust at every layer.
02
Azure Cloud Infrastructure
Greenfield to enterprise-scale Azure deployments with FinOps discipline, high availability, and governance built in from day one.
03
Microsoft Security Stack
Defender for Cloud, XDR, Sentinel SIEM, and Purview — integrated as a coherent threat management platform, not isolated tools.
04
Enterprise Network & Datacentre
Cisco core infrastructure, FortiGate and CheckPoint firewalls, NAC, structured cabling, and hyperconverged datacentre environments.
05
Digital Transformation Leadership
Translating infrastructure strategy into measurable business outcomes through vendor management, team mentoring, and programme delivery.

Technical Skills

Areas of Expertise

A decade of hands-on delivery across cloud, security, network, and enterprise systems in complex UAE environments.

🔐
Cybersecurity & GRC
CISSPZero TrustRisk ManagementIncident ResponseComplianceIT Auditing
Microsoft Azure & M365
Entra IDIntune MDMDefender SuiteSentinel SIEMPurviewAzure AVD
🌐
Network & Systems
Cisco CatalystFortiGateCheckPointNetwork DesignWindows ServerRed Hat Linux
🛡
Security Tooling
Microsoft XDRForescout NACArcon PAMNessus / TenableCisco AMPWAF
💻
Infrastructure & Virtualisation
Dell EMC VxRailVMware ESXiHyper-VCisco HyperfluxVeeamBackup & DR
📊
Leadership & Management
IT OperationsVendor ManagementTeam MentoringProject ManagementDigital TransformationBCDR

Career

Professional Experience

10+ years building and securing enterprise infrastructure — from first cybersecurity programmes to multi-entity cloud transformations across the UAE.

Jun 2025 – Present
Current Role
UAE · Holding Group
Greenfield Environment
Infrastructure & Cloud Lead

Leading infrastructure and cloud architecture for a multi-entity UAE Holding Group — designing greenfield environments with a security-first, cloud-native approach across Microsoft’s full enterprise stack.

  • Architected Azure Entra ID, Intune MDM, and Defender security suite — establishing a unified identity and endpoint management baseline across multiple entities
  • Implemented Zero Trust framework with MFA, Conditional Access policies, and network segmentation — significantly reducing the organisation’s attack surface
  • Led greenfield infrastructure design across compute, network, and security layers — delivering a scalable, enterprise-grade foundation aligned to business objectives
  • Providing technical mentoring to the infrastructure team and aligning technology strategy with commercial priorities
Apr 2023 – May 2025
UAE Enterprise
2 years 2 months
Infrastructure Specialist

Enhanced enterprise security posture through full Microsoft 365 and Azure security suite deployment, and led a critical datacentre modernisation programme.

  • Deployed Defender for Cloud, XDR, Sentinel SIEM, and Microsoft Purview — building a cohesive, integrated threat detection and compliance platform
  • Configured DLP, compliance, and privacy management policies across M365 with Azure Application Gateways and WAF — ensuring full regulatory alignment
  • Led VxRail datacentre migration managing 100+ virtual servers with minimal downtime and seamless transition throughout
  • Identified and decommissioned outdated infrastructure, optimising performance and reducing the overall attack surface
Mar 2022 – Apr 2023
UAE Enterprise
1 year 2 months
IT Infrastructure Engineer
  • Managed 100+ virtual servers across cloud and on-premises environments with high availability maintained throughout
  • Optimised customer-facing revenue system integrations and implemented network failover architecture for business-critical applications
Apr 2019 – Feb 2022
UAE Enterprise
2 years 11 months
IT Infrastructure Engineer
  • Established a comprehensive cybersecurity programme aligned to organisational strategy — the first formalised security posture for the organisation
  • Deployed Forescout NAC and CheckPoint Next Gen firewall with 30+ IDFs and full DR setup with real-time server replication
  • Designed and delivered an ANPR-based smart parking system — end-to-end IoT integration for VIP and valet operations
  • Implemented centralised backup using Veeam with daily disk and monthly tape backup across the entire datacentre
Oct 2016 – Apr 2019
UAE
2 years 7 months
Support Engineer — ICT & Cloud
  • Executed Office 365 migration for 1,400+ users — Zimbra to O365 and tenant-to-tenant migration, delivered with no critical incidents
  • Managed Exchange and Active Directory infrastructure across Windows Server 2003–2016 environments
  • Implemented VMware ESXi and Hyper-V virtualisation, including VMotion, Cluster HA, and server consolidation
  • Delivered major projects including a 250-camera CCTV and 250 access-point backend infrastructure for Dubai Water Canal

Credentials

Professional Certifications

A multi-disciplinary certification portfolio spanning information security, Microsoft cloud, networking, and enterprise systems engineering.

🔐
CISSP
ISC² · Certified Information Systems Security Professional
Core Credential · Active
AZ-900
Microsoft · Azure Fundamentals
Earned
🛡
SC-900
Microsoft · Security, Compliance & Identity Fundamentals
Earned
💻
MCSE
Microsoft · Cloud Platform & Infrastructure  +  MCSA Windows Server 2016
Certified 2018
🌐
CCNA
Cisco · Certified Network Associate
Earned
🐧
RHCE
Red Hat · Certified Engineer
Earned

Featured Work

Key Infrastructure Initiatives

Selected enterprise programmes delivered across UAE organisations — built to last, not just to launch.

Zero Trust
Enterprise Zero Trust Architecture — UAE Holding Group
Designed and deployed a comprehensive Zero Trust framework across a multi-entity holding group — covering identity governance, endpoint compliance, network segmentation, and continuous verification using the full Microsoft Entra & Defender stack.
500+
Endpoints Protected
Zero
Critical Incidents Post-Deploy
Entra IDIntune MDMConditional AccessDefenderMFA
Security · SIEM
Microsoft Security Stack — XDR, Sentinel & Purview Integration
Deployed and integrated Defender for Cloud, XDR, Sentinel SIEM, and Purview into a cohesive security operations platform — configuring DLP, compliance, and privacy management policies aligned with UAE regulatory requirements.
4
Integrated Security Layers
Real-time
Threat Detection
Defender for CloudXDRSentinelPurviewDLP
Datacentre · Migration
VxRail Datacentre Migration — 100+ Virtual Servers
Led a full datacentre migration to VxRail hyperconverged infrastructure — managing 100+ virtual servers with zero critical incidents and full business continuity maintained throughout the transition window.
100+
VMs Migrated
Zero
Critical Incidents
VxRailVMwareHyper-VStorageNetworking
M365 · Migration
Office 365 Enterprise Migration — 1,400+ Users
Planned and executed a large-scale Office 365 migration — Zimbra to O365 and tenant-to-tenant covering 1,400+ users, including Exchange, Active Directory synchronisation, and user change management. Zero critical failures.
1,400+
Users Migrated
Zero
Critical Failures
Microsoft 365ExchangeActive DirectoryAzure AD Connect
Network · Security
Enterprise Network & NAC — 30+ IDFs with Failover
Built and secured enterprise network infrastructure across 30+ IDFs with full failover architecture, Forescout NAC for access control, and CheckPoint Next Gen firewall — protecting against internal and external threats across a large public-facing environment.
30+
IDFs with Failover
NAC
Access Control Active
Forescout NACCheckPointCisco CatalystFortiGateNetwork Design
IoT · Smart Systems
ANPR Smart Parking System — End-to-End IoT Integration
Designed and delivered an Automatic Number Plate Recognition smart parking system for VIP and valet operations — integrating IoT hardware, network infrastructure, and software systems end-to-end across a large public venue environment.
IoT
OT Integration
E2E
Full Delivery
ANPRIoT SystemsNetwork IntegrationSystems Architecture

Contact

Let’s Build
Something Secure.

Available for conversations around enterprise cloud architecture, cybersecurity strategy, Zero Trust implementations, and advisory engagements across the UAE and beyond.

Open to Advisory
Available for Consulting Engagements
Beyond my primary role, I am selectively available for strategic advisory and consulting in my core areas of expertise.
Zero Trust Architecture Review & Design
Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Advisory
Cloud Security Posture Assessment
Enterprise M365 & Defender Deployment
Cybersecurity Programme Development