Nicholas Jackson

Project Manager overseeing and managing technical IT support personnel and projects for the Federal Protective Service (FPS) and FPS Mega Centers. Responsible for managing a diverse team of system administrators, network engineers, field technicians, and other experts, ensuring the development, documentation, implementation, and management of both small and large-scale projects. Core duties also included performing operations and maintenance activities, as well as ensuring compliance with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) SELC process through all phases of the project life cycle. Expertly delivered appropriate customer-facing SELC artifacts as defined by the program deliverables.

• Oversaw and managed technical IT support and projects involving applications, systems, and network hardware/software supporting FPS and FPS Mega Centers.
• Directed a matrixed technical team, including system administrators, network engineers, and field technicians, to develop, document, implement, and manage small and large-scale projects.
• Ensured DHS SELC process compliance through all phases of project life cycle, delivering appropriate SELC artifacts as defined by the project level.
• Provided exceptional customer service, addressing customer needs and concerns in a timely manner.
• Performed operations & maintenance activities to ensure the smooth functioning of network systems.
• Provided technical support to end-users, troubleshooting hardware and software issues and resolving them promptly.
• Oversaw installation, configuration, and maintenance of 3 co-located network systems.
• Collaborated with team members to implement IT solutions and improve system efficiency.
• Documented support activities and maintained accurate records of IT incidents and resolutions.

Senior Network engineer with advanced experience in working with an enterprise network architecture and engineering team supporting the USCG C5ISC. Leading projects upgrades, modernization efforts supporting the Wide Area Network (WAN) communication infrastructures and C5ISC Network Product Line (Net-PL).

• Led TSB-NET-SPT contractor team. Interfaced with senior level client to collect and clarify requirements
• Researched, evaluated, and provided solutions driven recommendations enhancing technological capabilities.
• Managed network communications testing, installation, and support for network appliances
• Mentored and provided guidance to other networking team members
• Provided recommendations to enhance and improve network performance to WAN/LAN Branch Chiefs and Enterprise Infrastructure Architects
• Developed & Managed system engineering designs, integration, and implementation tasks and activities
• Evaluated and tested standard documentation supporting performance isolation and problem resolutions.
• Provided clients consulting and training oversight interfacing WAN and LAN integration.
• Utilized Cisco Prime Infrastructure to troubleshoot and isolate problems, gauge network performance, and trace data and protocol activity.
• Managed 6000+ devices. Supported life-cycle management of hardware & software configurations for WAN/LAN services.
• Senior lead upgrading 40 Nexus 5Ks from legacy code to standard supporting 15 Data Centers CONUS. Successfully executed with zero downtime.
• Executed the HQ-LAN migration project. Developed network segmentation plan by implementing VRF configurations.
• Managed NMS upgrade project. Upgraded 12 Cisco Prime Infrastructure (CPI) Servers to the latest software successfully addressing inherit vulnerabilities (log4j) and software bugs.

Responsible for working with internal and external sales teams to plan and organize sales strategies. The incumbent analyzes the sales environment including customer expectations, competitive environment as well as the customer's technical environment and define actions to be performed in the sales cycle timeframe.

• Defined and delivered customized Network Security related solutions to over 30 customers.
• Assisted government and commercial clients in designing security solutions for their network.
• Listened to customers, selected proper tools, and designed security architectures to meet customer requirements.
• Recommended industry trends and new technologies
• Displayed extensive deployment experience in Enterprise Security, R/S and Wireless
• Maintained progressive experience with Cisco security (ASA, ISE, ACS, VPN, IPS), SecureX security (Firepower, AMP), Palo Alto NGFW, Tenable

• Designed, documented and implemented the upgrade of Core WAN switched to Cisco 6500-E located in 2 Datacenters. Migrated more than 30 WAN connections.
• Designed, documented and implemented the upgrade of the Primary Data Center that services over 150 servers to Cisco 6500. Upgraded 10GB uplinks to all network devices.
• Performed complete upgrades of Network switches to Cisco 4500 series and implemented 10GB redundant links to Core datacenter support HA/FA capabilities.
• Migrated all WAN connections from ATM, T1, T3 and OC3 to MPLS
• Designed, implemented and maintained high-speed enterprise HAIPE encryptor security solution using KG-175X Taclanes. Eliminated bottleneck by implementing 10G trunk connections
• Installed and Maintained GEM-One server. Administrator of 7 HAIPE encryptors
• Designed, documented and implemented $1.5 Million backbone refresh project. Project included tech refreshing 4 Cisco 6500 and 4 Cisco 3750 to Cisco 9400 series switches and 2 Cisco ASR 1000X
• Designed, implemented and maintained VMWare based virtual environment supporting 30 members. Environment provided sim-training utilizing Dell-Wyse thin clients.
• Manages the installation/configuration and day-to-day administration of Linux/UNIX operating systems (Red Hat Linux based environments) and related services (e.g. SSH, DNS, NFS, LDAP)
• Responsible for evaluating daily trend data, network issues, critical system faults and outages, and engineering activities both planned and emergency responses to DoD mission systems to support the Joint Air Defense Operations of the National Capital Region (NCR)
• Exceed customer demands by testing, integrating, and managing day-to-day engineering maintenance activities to ensure data-center servers and network devices are performing and identifying any system degradation for repairs to prevent adverse system failures and impacts on operations
• Forged strategic vendor relationships and led a cross-functional project team to install, configure, and integrate successful implementation of Splunk Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and SolarWinds Network Monitoring Systems tool for 1900+ network system nodes, 900+ server applications, and 100+ Cisco network devices in enterprise operational environment
• Manages 15 contractors responsible for implementing creative, cross-functional, data-driven solutions needed to secure organizational and mission effectiveness; to include a 98% uptime rate for critical mission assets
• Re-designed the network infrastructure supporting 35 Cisco devices to assure performance, scalability, reliability and high availability for the integration of services supporting the National Capital Region - Integrated Air Defense mission.
• Managed 206 servers, 7 networks, 1,000 clients supporting 3 SOUTHCOM forward operating locations •Laid over 4 miles of coaxial cable/field fiber/copper in preparation of joint service communication exercise •Designed $2.5M secure network supporting 45 members.
• Responsible for operation, maintenance, and overall performance, and availability of enterprise Linux servers and resolves problems associated with server hardware and applications software
• Responsible for analysis, recommendation of upgrades, design, changes, implementation and maintenance of the UNIX/Linux infrastructure
• Performs production support including checking daily logs, periodic on-call and other duties related 24x7x365 operations Led implementation of software and hardware upgrades for 19+ Cisco network devices in operational sites on schedule with minimal impact to mission operations
• Managed a 15-man team responsible for successful readiness and mobilization of tactical command equipment valued at $30.4M

• Managed purchasing and installation of networking equipment such as core routers and switches.
• Analyzed existing network and application architectures, presenting findings on possible enhancements and improvements to senior decision-makers.
• Installed and configured network security solutions such as VPNs, Firewalls and intrusion detections and mitigation tools.
• Conducted security assessments and made recommendations for disaster recovery, remote access, network appliances, servers and directory services security.
• Designed, implemented, and maintained Cisco DMVPN configuration servicing 21 locations providing support for mission partners and critical assets
• Migrated P2P GRE Tunnels over IPSEC to DMVPN. 40 locations and 1 Hub
• Maintained and configured Cisco TACAS supporting 802.1X. Authenticated 40 users
• Protected company assets and users with effective firewall solutions and strict security protocols.
• Improved network operation by incorporating new technologies into existing designs.
• Collaborated on network development, implementation, and maintenance of routers, switches, firewalls and NAC and WAN optimization.
• Prepared operational reports, including trouble resolution and analysis, project status, equipment and network requirements.
• Built and maintained network infrastructure consisting of Windows, Linux and virtual products.
• Reviewed and analyzed security logs to determine and alleviate network threats.
• Configured and managed Cisco Fabric environment by creating device alias and zones.