Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Craig Hodges

Garland,TX

Summary

Forward-thinking professional offering more than 15 years of experience working in fast-paced environments. Expertise in planning, installing and maintaining large-scale systems and infrastructures. Proven leader with success in building strong teams. Also have a history of being an effective team member with a full understanding of the underwriting process and team needs. Well-versed in using Excel to create and update tracking spreadsheets.

Overview

14
years of professional experience
1
Certificate

Work History

Cognizant Technologies Solutions

Senior Security Architect
02.2022 - Current

Job overview

  • Led and assisted technical upgrade projects for endpoint security controls( Mcafee, MSDefender, Cylance, Qualys and CrowdStrike) for LifeScience Clients by working and coordinating with leads and product owners for integrations.
  • Led and Managed Migration and deployment of CrowdStrike Falcon EDR and AV solution for ~20k Endpoints including Servers and Workstations.
  • Developed security metrics and technical analysis to give insight into performance and trends related to EPAP (Endpoint Protection Assurance Program) Improving proficiency to about 70%.
  • Generated Security Baseline Assessments and Remediation plans for Security controls for Continues Security Control Validation (CSCV).
  • Led and Managed Migration of Defender EDR from Legacy MMA to new Unified Solution.
  • Developed project plans identifying key issues, approaches and performance metrics.
  • Designed, installed and configured email encryption with data loss prevention(AIP).
  • Strategized and Configured Attack surface reduction for life-science Client
  • Identified, analyzed and resolved infrastructure vulnerabilities and application deployment issues including Sanctioning and un-sanctioning Apps(MCAS).
  • Identified risks of USB and SD Cards and helped secerning organization from Breaches Using SCCM and MS DLP.
  • Creating and configuring Host Firewall policies to restrict inbound and outbound traffic flows.
  • Developed Project roadmap to define project objectives, timelines and milestones.

Insight Global (Microsoft Contractor)

Security Engineer
12.2020 - Current

Job overview

  • Helped in getting 5Star CSAT Ratings and Positive customer Remarks.
  • Performed risk and vulnerability assessments and provide results and recommendations to senior management.
  • Delivered Incidence Response on time Regardless of interruptions
  • Validated and verified system security requirements definitions and analyzed system security designs.
  • Counseled senior-level management on current privacy and security trends and recommendations to mitigate risk.
  • Monitored computer virus reports to determine when to update virus protection systems.
  • Recommend improvements in security systems and procedures.
  • Performed risk analyses to identify appropriate security countermeasures.
  • Represented company's technical security interests to partners to provide bi-directional flow of technical information and best practices in information security.
  • Provided consultation and technical services on all aspects of information security.

GMI

Sr. Systems Administrator
12.2019 - 05.2020

Job overview

  • Administered, supported and monitored databases by proactively resolving database issues and maintaining SQL servers
  • Administered and prepared programs for IP addresses, developed network resources and trained support personnel to provide Tier I support to end-users
  • Supported multiple concurrent projects enabling delivery efficiencies and technical resolution
  • Configured and Maintained Enterprise Level Routers and Firewalls(Zyxel and Netgear)
  • Monitored computer virus reports to determine when to update virus protection systems
  • Helped in Degining and Managing New Sites and Infrastructures
  • Standardized job tasks and trained junior team members on industry best practices and standards
  • Completed reports detailing network and systems performance, costs and downtime issues
  • Made recommendations regarding information technology infrastructure overhauls
  • Worked with users to determine areas of technology in need of improved usability

Progressive It Solutions

Systems Engineer
12.2018 - 10.2019

Job overview

  • Worked closely with customers, internal staff and other stakeholders to determine planning, implementation, and integration of system-oriented projects
  • Created a strategy for establishing a secure and well-managed enterprise environment in Azure
  • Lead design process for network connectivity to Azure
  • Built and maintained network infrastructure consisting of Windows, Linux and virtual products
  • Implemented network security equipment ,including firewalls, two-factor authentication, and antivirus software, for networks supporting more than 1000 users
  • Installed, configured, tested and maintained operating systems, application software and system management tools
  • Designed and implemented system security and data assurance
  • Provided outstanding Administration service and support to customers
  • Managed installation, upgrade and deployment projects and provided on-site direction for network engineers

INDIA

Personal Trip to India
10.2018 - 11.2018

Job overview

  • Business Crises in my hometown which had me stay for a Month

JDA Software Group Inc

PREMIER AD AND WINDOWS CLIENT ENGINEER
05.2018 - 10.2018

Job overview

  • Ensure Success in Building and Migrating Servers, Software, and Services on Microsoft Platform such as AD, DNS
  • MS Exchange, PowerShell etc
  • Helped Customers with Custom PowerShell Scripts based on requirements
  • Educate Customers of all size on the Value Proposition of Microsoft Solutions, and Participate in Deep Architectural Discussions to ensure solutions are designed for successful Deployment
  • Conduct one-to few and One-to-Many Training Sessions to transfer Deep Technical Skills to Customers
  • Capture and Share Best- Practice Knowledge Among the Premier Customers
  • Build Deep relationships with Senior technical Individuals within customer accounts to enable them to be proficient in new technologies
  • Act as a Technical Liaison Between Customers, Internal Service Engineering and Account Management
  • Researched and updated all required materials needed for firm and partners •Responded to customer requests via telephone and email and effectively answered questions and inquiries

Tech Mahindra

Sr Systems Administrator
08.2014 - 05.2018

Job overview

  • Provided high availability features including Virtualization Cloud Services, Endpoint protection, AD, GPO and and Windows Client technologies
  • Ensured the best pricing and completed technology solution projects for less then Budgeted Prices in IT assets for new data centers
  • Proposed and implemented system enhancements to improve the performance and reliability of the storage environment
  • Negotiated prices and finalized technology solutions for T assets for new data centers
  • Resolved implementation and operation issues with product manufacturers
  • Increased IT productivITy, efficiency, agilITy and responsiveness, leading team of 50 to design Microsoft high-availabilITy solution
  • Developed project plans identifying key issues, approaches and performance metrics
  • Established cost-saving measures and alleviated compliance risk through software license audits
  • Performed daily administration of storage equipment to optimize system resource utilization
  • Installed, maintained, upgraded and patched storage systems
  • Created and implemented storage system configuration designs
  • Implemented a Microsoft Azure cloud solution, migrating x86 servers to cloud infrastructure
  • Reporting and software deployments through SCCM as well as Deployment of standard software packaging and patch deployment methodologies

Actuniv

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR IT TRAINER
06.2013 - 05.2014

Job overview

  • Validated schematic designs working alongside hardware engineers
  • Verified data integrity and accuracy
  • Performed initial client assessment and analysis to begin research process
  • Performed High end corporate Training's on the following technology
  • Installing and configuring Windows 8 Operating system Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure Conducting Boot Camp Training's for End-Users
  • Deploying System Centre Configuration Manager 2012 Installing & Administration of Exchange server 2010 Describe the Configuration Clients Manager 2012 infrastructure and describe typical deployment scenarios Use various methods to plan and deploy Configuration Manager 2012
  • Perform migration of objects from Configuration Manager 2007 to.

Scriptacom Solutions Inc

System Administrator
03.2010 - 04.2013

Job overview

  • Led server infrastructure development, quality assurance, staging and production systems
  • Optimized system security and performance with proactive changes
  • Standardized job tasks and trained junior team members on best practices and standards
  • Worked with users to determine areas in need of improvement
  • Made recommendations regarding infrastructure overhauls
  • Supervised and provided direction for six technical direct reports regarding network activities
  • Managed firewall, network monitoring and server monitoring both on- and off-site
  • Established compatibility with third party software products by developing program for modification and integration
  • Designed strategic plan for component development practices to support future projects
  • Collaborated with clients from concept through final delivery of product or service
  • Directed onsite training for business users to maximize productivity
  • Proposed technical feasibility solutions for new functional designs and suggested options for performance improvement of technical objects

Education

Gujarat University

Bachelor Of Accountancy from Accounting And Business Management
2012

IIHT Training Institute

Diploma from Information Technology

Skills

  • Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Microsoft Defender EDR
  • DLP
  • Attack surface reduction
  • CrowdStrike Falcon
  • Cylance
  • Conflict resolution
  • Skilled in Windows Servers and Client
  • Network Concepts and Terminology
  • Methodology implementation
  • Project management
  • Team leadership
  • Planning
  • Account Management, Network security
  • Premier, Networks
  • AD, Network
  • Antivirus
  • Operating systems
  • Hardware
  • Corporate Training, Project management
  • Clients, Project plans
  • Client, Quality assurance
  • Data management, Reporting
  • DNS, Scripts
  • Email
  • Features, Strategy
  • Firewall, Strategic
  • Firewalls, System configuration
  • Team leadership, Upgrade
  • Exchange server
  • Windows
  • Windows 8 / Windows 10 / Windows 11
  • Servers 2008 R2 / Server 2012 R2 / Server 2016 / Server 2019
  • Migration
  • Azure / O365 / Intune
  • Enterprise

Certification

FHT-200(Crowdstrike Falcon Platform for Administrators) MCSE MCT RHCT CCNSP

Timeline

Senior Security Architect

Cognizant Technologies Solutions
02.2022 - Current

Security Engineer

Insight Global (Microsoft Contractor)
12.2020 - Current

Sr. Systems Administrator

GMI
12.2019 - 05.2020

Systems Engineer

Progressive It Solutions
12.2018 - 10.2019

Personal Trip to India

INDIA
10.2018 - 11.2018

PREMIER AD AND WINDOWS CLIENT ENGINEER

JDA Software Group Inc
05.2018 - 10.2018

Sr Systems Administrator

Tech Mahindra
08.2014 - 05.2018

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR IT TRAINER

Actuniv
06.2013 - 05.2014

System Administrator

Scriptacom Solutions Inc
03.2010 - 04.2013

Gujarat University

Bachelor Of Accountancy from Accounting And Business Management

IIHT Training Institute

Diploma from Information Technology
Craig Hodges