Rinith Kizhakke Thayyil
Systems & Infrastructure Manager | Cloud Solutions Architect | IT Leader
Doha
Summary
Dynamic IT professional with over 28 years of extensive experience in managing world-class IT infrastructure, Azure cloud services, cybersecurity, and enterprise project delivery. Proven expertise in leading high-impact migrations, disaster recovery solutions, infrastructure modernization, IT governance, and security compliance. Renowned for cross-functional leadership, vendor management, and strategic IT planning to deliver scalable, resilient, and cost-efficient solutions. Adept at driving transformation in financial services, automotive, education, and regulatory environments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
7
7
Certifications
6
6
Languages
Work History
Senior Associate – IT (Senior Systems & Infrastructure Manager)
Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority
Doha
02.2006 - Current
- Key architect handling resources, cost management of Azure and Google services cross regions
- Led the end-to-end repatriation of cloud services from Azure EU to Qatar Central, ensuring security, compliance, and cost optimization.
- Managed complex cloud migrations, including on-premises to Azure, Exchange Online, SQL Clustering, SharePoint 2010, and server virtualization.
- Successfully delivered critical IT infrastructure projects including new building relocations, VoIP implementations, and secure VPN environments.
- Enhanced security using FortiEDR, FortEMS, Trellix, ATF, Darktrace, Intune, Azure Defender, MFA, and coordinated with MSOC.
- Spearheaded IT risk mitigation, security audits, ISO/NIA preparedness, and disaster recovery strategy across multiple business applications.
- Consistently provided solutions to audit and risk findings and established robust IT governance, policies, and best-practice processes documentation.
- Directed cross-functional teams, managed IT budgets, vendor contracts, and service delivery aligned with business objectives.
- Oversaw 24x7 server, network, and service availability with real-time monitoring using OpManager and Microsoft toolsets.
- Led IT infrastructure setup for new building relocations, disaster recovery (DR) sites, business continuity planning (BCP), and managed annual maintenance contracts (AMC) for IT services to ensure uninterrupted operations.
- Established and secured network connectivity for government communications through the Government Network (GN), enabling seamless and compliant information exchange.
- Led Software Asset Management (SAM) audits, overseeing end-to-end software licensing, procurement, compliance tracking, and timely renewals to optimize IT costs and mitigate risks.
- Served as the authorized point of contact for domain registration, SSL certificate management, backup and restore operations, litigation hold processes, and periodic retention policy reviews to ensure business continuity and regulatory compliance.
- Key Achievements:
- Migrated Microsoft Exchange 2013 to Exchange Online seamlessly.
- Implemented real-time SQL database replication to DR sites.
- Designed and deployed multilingual websites for the QFC Regulatory Authority, QFC Tribunal, and QFC Civil & Commercial Court.
- Delivered IT infrastructure for Qatar Financial Centre Tower refurbishment.
Director – Information Technology
The Scholars International School (TSIS)
Doha
11.2011 - 01.2018
- Member of the Board of Directors and founding IT Director of a prominent CBSE-affiliated international school.
- Coordinated with Microsoft to establish education licenses for the school. Served as Global Admin for M365 portal and managed license procurement and domain registration.
- Led technology-driven learning, including the deployment of SmartBoards, Wi-Fi campuses, and enterprise-grade security protocols.
- Established best-practice IT operations, governance, and cybersecurity frameworks for a growing student and staff base.
Network Administrator
Toyota | Lexus – Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. W.L.L.
Doha
08.2002 - 11.2005
- Led administration and security of the corporate network, Exchange Servers, and Cisco routers.
- Pioneered the introduction of wireless networking and VLAN segmentation for enhanced performance and security.
- Architected and supported remote branch setups, VPN solutions, and hardware refresh projects.
Education
M.Tech - Software Engineering
BITS Pilani
MBA - Business Analytics
BITS Pilani
MCA - Master of Computer Applications
SRM University
B.Sc - Physics
Calicut University
Post Graduate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics - undefined
University of Texas
Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application - undefined
Dept. of Electronics, Govt. of India, DOEACC A – LEVEL
Diploma in Computer Hardware & Network Engineering - undefined
CMIT
Skills
Cloud Migration & Infrastructure Management: Azure, VMware, Hyper-V
Cybersecurity & Risk Management: Azure Sentinel, MSOC, Fortinet, Darktrace, ATP
Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning
Project Management, Coordination & IT Budgeting
IT Governance, Policy Formulation & Compliance
Network Architecture & Security: VPN, VLAN, Firewall Administration
Data Centre Consolidation & Server Virtualization
Vendor Management, SLA Negotiations & Inventory Management
Team Leadership, Supervision & Stakeholder Engagement
Performance Monitoring, Work Planning & Prioritization
Training, Mentoring & Team Collaboration
Data Analytics & Performance Improvement
Decision-Making, Problem-Solving & Conflict Resolution
Multitasking, Organization & Attention to Detail
Certification
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Training And Workshop
- CHFI – Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator
- Google Professional Cloud Architect (Training)
- Google Associate Cloud Engineer (Training)
- Certified Network Defender (CND)
- Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP Training)
- Cybersecurity Self-Paced Awareness Program – NCSA
- ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management
- ITIL Foundation 2011
- MCBM - Master Certificate in Business Management
- MCLM - Master Certificate in Leadership Management
- MCOM - Master Certificate in Operations Management
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 DBA – from Mumbai, India
- Citrix Presentation Server 4.5 & XenApp 5.0 Administration – from Dubai
- NetApp SAN Data ONTAP 8.1 7-Mode Administration - UAE
- VMware vSphere 4.1 Install, Configure, Manage – from Bahrain
- Managing Performance of Others- from Qatar
- McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator and Virusscan Administration – from Knowledge Village, Dubai
- Microsoft Premier Workshop on MS Azure Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- Administering Windows MOSS2007 Services – from United Kingdom
- AI-102 Designing and Implementing a Microsoft Azure AI Solution
- Attended PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMIACP) Exam Preparation
- Attended Course for SC-900 Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
- Attended Course for SC-200 Microsoft Security Operations Analyst
- Attended Course for Microsoft 365 Security Administration
- 10231A - Microsoft Premier Workshop on Designing a Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Infrastructure
- Microsoft’s Premier Workshop on latest technology transition (Exchange 2010, Active Directory 2008
- System Center Data Protection Manager
- Microsoft’s Premier Workshop on SQL Server 2008 Administration
- Microsoft’s Premier Workshop on Windows Server 2008 R2: Deploying and Managing Failover Cluster- from Qatar
- Microsoft Workshop on SQL Server 2008 DBA R2
- Attended course on Certified Blockchain Business Foundation
- Attended course on Blockchain Overview - Business Foundations
- Blockchain Basics
- Attended Fortinet Firewall Training - FortiGateI and II
- Certificate in 2003 Server
- Fortinet Authorized Training Course in FortiGateI & FortiGateII
- ISO 9000 : 2000 QMS Lead Auditor Course – from Pune, India
- Certification in TCP/IP programming
- OSP (Oracle Specialist Programme) - Oracle 8i/ D2k
- Certificate in VBasic 6.0 Programming
- Certificate in Oracle 7.1 (with D2K)
- Certificate in ASP Programming
- Certificate in 3DStudioMax
- BLS/ AED & First Aid Course - Hamad International Training Center
Personal Information
- Passport Number: M3806204
- Date of Birth: 12/25/73
- Nationality: Indian
- Driving License: Qatar, India
Awards And Volunteering
- Certificate of Appreciation from Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority for outstanding IT contributions.
- Appreciation from QFC Tribunal, and QFC Civil & Commercial Court for website and IT support implementation.
- Certificate of Appreciation from Toyota | Lexus AAB for outstanding project performance and remote branch connectivity.
- Actively volunteered and been positioned for leadership roles in various prestigious international sporting events including Doha Asian Games in 2006, Amir Cup in 2019 and 2020, FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar in 2019 and 2020, Arabian Gulf Cup in Qatar in 2019, and was Team Leader for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
- Served as VPPR at Smeadley's Toastmasters Club – Awarded special PR award for releasing exceptional three newsletters at District Toastmasters Annual Conference.
- Served as Division PR Manager and executive member in 2017-18 Toastmasters Club.
- Awarded for portraiture by Qatar Fine Arts; contributed to national solidarity artwork during Qatar blockade.
- First Prize – Inter-School Science Exhibition (Sound Operated Relay).
Timeline
Director – Information Technology
The Scholars International School (TSIS)
11.2011 - 01.2018
Senior Associate – IT (Senior Systems & Infrastructure Manager)
Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority
02.2006 - Current
Network Administrator
Toyota | Lexus – Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. W.L.L.
08.2002 - 11.2005
MBA - Business Analytics
BITS Pilani
MCA - Master of Computer Applications
SRM University
B.Sc - Physics
Calicut University
Post Graduate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics - undefined
University of Texas
Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application - undefined
Dept. of Electronics, Govt. of India, DOEACC A – LEVEL
Diploma in Computer Hardware & Network Engineering - undefined
CMIT
M.Tech - Software Engineering
BITS Pilani