FARAH ABDILLAHI
Minneapolis,MN
Summary
IT professional specializing in server administration and network security with hands-on expertise in system troubleshooting and firewall management. Proven track record in maintaining uptime reliability and enhancing operational efficiency in enterprise environments. Skilled in navigating complex infrastructure on Windows, Linux, and cloud platforms. Ready to engage in network administration, cybersecurity support, and NOC operations.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Jr. Network Administration
Bille Bus Transportation, Inc.
03.2024 - 10.2024
- Reduced network downtime by 20% through infrastructure optimization in two offices and five remote locations.
- Managed Active Directory accounts, enforcing policies to reduce configuration errors.
- Collaborated with vendors to resolve connectivity issues, maximizing uptime.
- Analyzed system performance metrics to identify anomalies and ensure SLA compliance.
- Installed routers and switches, enhancing network stability.
- Deployed endpoint protection tools, decreasing vulnerabilities efficiently.
- Improved ticket resolution speed by 20%, resolving hardware/software issues effectively.
- Maintained detailed documentation for audits and training purposes.
Network Administration Intern
Bhatti GI Consultant
04.2023 - 09.2023
- Deployed and fine-tuned Windows and Linux-based servers to support departmental infrastructure needs, enhancing system reliability and compliance with internal security policies. Performed recurring maintenance cycles, including software patching, firmware upgrades, and hardware swaps, minimizing downtime and extending device lifespan by 15%.
- Analyzed live network traffic using diagnostic tools and optimized configuration parameters to mitigate latency and improve throughput by 20%.
- Investigated and resolved user-level and hardware-based connectivity issues, restoring service functionality across an average of 5 incidents per day.
- Frequently volunteer to assist colleagues with heavy workloads, showcasing leadership and teamwork skills.
- Configured firewall access rules and implemented intrusion detection measures to strengthen perimeter defenses and limit exposure to security vulnerabilities.
- Delivered first-line technical assistance to end-users throughout multiple departments, contributing to a 25% reduction in help desk ticket escalation rate.
- Created and maintained detailed records of system configurations, IP allocations, and support procedures to streamline knowledge transfer and auditing processes.
- Participated in staging and layout planning for a data center expansion project, assisting with the physical installation of servers, cable routing, and inventory tracking for 50+ devices.
Education
Associate of Science - Network And System Administration
Hennepin Technical College
Minneapolis, MN05.2025
Skills
- Network security setup Cisco routing and switching skills Linux system administration Firewall security protocols TCP/IP subnetting expertise Connectivity troubleshooting Active Directory and group policy management Server patch management VMware and Hyper-V virtualization Help desk support services Data center operations management VLAN configuration and oversight Backup solutions and disaster recovery planning Windows Server skills
Certification
CCNA
RHCSA: Red Hat Certified System Administrator
Languages
French
Native or Bilingual
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
- Familiarity with network change control processes and logging configuration updates in Help Desk and Peppermint.
- Proven ability to interpret and apply technical manuals and architecture diagrams for switch and router configurations in both real-world scenarios and simulated lab platforms such as TryHackMe and HackTheBox; also experienced working in personal homelab environments using Proxmox, AWS, and Azure to simulate network topologies and practice configurations.
- Demonstrated understanding of cybersecurity best practices, including incident response fundamentals, user access controls, and endpoint security protocols.
- Configured and managed pfSense for firewall and routing functions, incorporating VLAN segmentation and VPN setup to enable secure remote access.
- Deployed and administered Cisco switches and wireless access points, implementing port security, trunking, and spanning tree protocol (STP) to emulate enterprise network conditions.
- Built and tested firewall rules and network policies to replicate real-world scenarios and strengthen hands-on understanding of traffic control and security enforcement.
ACTIVITIES
- Regularly engage with industry publications such as Network World, Cisco Blog, Ars Technica IT & Networking, The Hacker News, and Dark Reading, as well as online forums including Spiceworks, Reddit r/networking, Reddit r/sysadmin, and r/homelab to stay current on network administration technologies and best practices.
- Conduct advanced homelab experimentation by designing/testing network topologies, configuring firewalls using pfSense, managing Cisco switch environments, and provisioning cloud infrastructure across AWS and Azure platforms.
Timeline
Jr. Network Administration
Bille Bus Transportation, Inc.
03.2024 - 10.2024
Network Administration Intern
Bhatti GI Consultant
04.2023 - 09.2023
Associate of Science - Network And System Administration
Hennepin Technical College