Ronald Piper
Cape Coral
Summary
Dynamic Solutions Architect with extensive experience at Cloud 9 Technologies, driving CMMC L2 compliance through innovative Azure GCC High secure enclaves. Expert in governance, risk, and compliance, leveraging advanced security protocols and role-based access control. Proven leadership in managing critical migrations and fostering cross-functional collaboration to achieve strategic objectives.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Solutions Architect & Cloud Engineer
Cloud 9 Technologies
01.2016 - 01.2025
- Directed and delivered Secure Cloud Program for a major divestiture (startup as new DBA) to achieve NIST SP 800-171/CMMC L2 compliance for Defense contracting (DIB). Successfully migrated non-compliant Data Centers and WAN infrastructure to new Hybrid Cloud utilizing Microsoft Azure IaaS GCC High Secure Enclaves.
- Met with Business Units and Application owners to understand the business requirements and then created a custom transformation program to meet the new mandatory compliance requirements. Conducted workshops and initiated a formal CUI Program with training for all staff, including shop floor and Lab operations 'Compliance Champions' with Pilot and UAT during migrations to Azure IaaS GCC High Secure Enclaves with Swivel Chair access to ITAR, DFARS & EAR workloads.
- Architected and implemented a complete security stack within the Secure Enclave, including new Active Directory Domain, Entra ID, RBAC, ABAC, and application upgrades with migrations for SharePoint Online, SAP S4 HANA, Labware LIMS – MES applications to meet CMMC L2, ITAR, DFARS, and EAR compliance requirements. Using PowerShell scripts for discovery, compliance audits, automation and reporting, with custom Ansible runbooks for complex hybrid Cloud configuration and LIMS to MES automation in Satellite locations with shop floor and secure lab operations.
- Led CMMC L2 Audit Readiness: Performed comprehensive Data Center discovery, CMMC self-assessments, and prepared mandatory technical documentation (SSP, Policies, Procedures) for the C3PAO audit. Created a GAP Analysis with POA&M (FutureFeed) and prioritized detailed technical project plans with WBS for remediation. Performed Change Control with Cybersecurity hardening and remediation using native PowerShell, SQL, Kusto Query Language (KQL) and Sentinel SIEM. Tracking remediation and working tickets in ServiceNow, using Alerts and Dashboards for hybrid Cloud with multiple Data Centers and on premises Server rooms performing hands on POA&M remediation.
- Implemented Advanced Security & Compliance Tools: Deployed Microsoft Purview (MPIP) for a new CUI Program, including AI-enhanced CUI hunting, data labeling, and governance.
- Implemented Microsoft Sentinel SIEM from scratch, configuring Log Ingestion and using Kusto Query Language (KQL) to create real-time monitoring dashboards for rapid incident response and KPI tracking.
- Deployed new IAM solutions (Entra ID, RBAC, ABAC, PAM, PIM, JIT) and secured network access with Zero Trust Network Access - ZTNA, Azure Firewall, WAF, Palo Alto, and Zscaler SDWAN to ensure end-to-end FIPS compliance for Satellite locations with lab operations.
- Managed Critical Workload Migrations: Successfully migrated over 100TB of data from Google Workspace/Gmail/Docs/Sheets and on-premises File Servers to SharePoint Online (SPO) in GCC High. Mapped Applications, Servers, Data & Databases and migrated legacy Active Directory Domains, Server fleets, and applications with multi-stage migrations to Azure IaaS GCC High Secure Enclaves.
- Established Robust Resiliency: Performed and validated formal Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity, and Contingency Planning (DR/BC/CP) exercises. Created a custom 'DR Playbook' and tested Ransomware attack remediation with manual recovery processes to augment enterprise cloud backup solutions (VEEAM, Rubrik, Azure Backups) using Ansible runbooks for consistent hybrid Cloud infrastructure.
- Driving Secure Cloud Initiatives for Defense Contractors CMMC L2 ITAR, DFARS & EAR compliance.
- Managed the end-to-end lifecycle of CMMC 2.0 projects migrating non-compliant Data Centers, Servers, SAN and Infrastructure with legacy Applications and shared data to completely new greenfield compliant environment build-out with Pilot, UAT, and Go Live in Azure IaaS GCC High and M365 Secure Enclaves with swivel chair access to ITAR, DFARS & EAR hosted workloads with FIPS compliant endpoints.
- Implemented new Active Directory, Entra ID, RBAC, ABAC, PAM, PIM, and JIT solutions; managed the migration of SAP S4 HANA (custom built 57 Azure IaaS Servers – PROD, QA & DEV), Labware LIMS to MES systems on compliant Azure IaaS GCC High Cloud infrastructure with SDWAN for Satellite locations MES integration.
- Provisioned a Microsoft RDS Terminal Server Farm to replace legacy Citrix for thousands of remote users, ensuring CUI boundary adherence for Secure Enclaves.
- Conducted Cloud Readiness Discoveries using Datadog and Microsoft DR Migrate, mapping Data Center environments to RFP requirements for CMMC L2 compliance.
- Led hands on DR/BC/CP exercises, including Active Directory site recovery for ransomware, providing a validated custom Disaster Recovery Playbook with downtime procedures, processes and communication plan, reducing vulnerabilities and Cybersecurity insurance expenses.
- Implemented RMM tools (ConnectWise Automate, Kaseya, ManageEngine), CrowdStike and Sentinel for continuous monitoring and rapid response (NOC/SOC support). Created Ansible runbooks for hybrid Cloud configuration management, deploying critical infrastructure with consistency for reliable automation, replicating and establishing DR/BC/CP for mandatory CMMC L2 compliance.
Senior Cloud Engineer - Cloud Readiness & Migration Projects
Fisher & Phillips
05.2024 - 12.2024
- Managed multiple IT projects (Jira/Structure/Confluence) including Azure Cloud Readiness Discovery, BitLocker Encryption for File Servers, SQL Server upgrades, Aderant Servers, Report Builder, Aderant Expert SQL Cluster with support for Prod, Test, Application Updates, SQL Reporting and Data Center hardware refresh (Dell Live Optics) with Microsoft DR Migrate Cloud readiness discovery, audit and Data Center migration planning for Microsoft Azure Cloud.
- Spearheaded Aderant Expert environments design, build, implementation and support, including third-party integration (BillBlast) and custom SQL reporting. Remote office integration and support.
- Aderant Expert Applications and Server management, technical documentation, compliance, accounting month end support, SQL Server maintenance, upgrades, patching, testing and Disaster Recovery / Business Continuity testing with playbook and step-by-step downtime procedures.
- Managed AVD deployment replacing legacy Citrix/Terminal Services and validated DR/BC/CP Playbooks with technical documentation and communication plan.
Senior Systems Engineer & Solutions Architect
Hermanson Company
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Built and maintained the D365 F&O enterprise environment, managing CI/CD Pipelines, DevOps bug fixes, and ticket management for finance and field services. Using Azure Policy, Functions and Features for automation in support shop floor implementations.
- Custom Python, SQL and PowerShell scripting for manufacturing workload automated processing, using Ansible runbooks with Azure Policy.
- Managing D365 F&O Life Cycle Services (LCS) and DevOps Pipelines with Changeset testing and supporting users & development team.
- Configured and maintained Azure and M365 security for Developer VMs and remote connectivity, leveraging Power Platform and Dataverse for custom D365 F&O reporting.
- Hardened Developer VM’s, established perimeter security with DLP, Defender Suite, Primary User, MFA and Conditional Access Policies with encryption for all managed endpoints within Secure Enclave CUI boundaries.
- SQL Server Engineer, DBA and SQL management for enterprise implementation of Dynamics 365 F&O with manufacturing plants and shop floor integration for Field Services using D365 F&O and Microsoft 365.
Senior Technical Architect & Project Lead
American Technology Services
01.2023 - 07.2023
- Team Lead for Technical Solutions Architects and Engineers; authored SOWs and RFP responses, Pre-Sales Solutions Architect and Engineer for 300 existing clients with hybrid Cloud infrastructure, 140+ Azure tenants, M365, and advanced endpoint protection (ZTNA, DLP, Defender Suite, CrowdStrike, Sentinel One, Rapid7, AlienVault and Sentinel).
Enterprise Solutions Architect & Cloud Systems & Infrastructure Engineer
Converge
07.2021 - 01.2023
- Technical lead for Raytheon/Pratt & Whitney email and data migrations, including PST file elimination (122,000 users to Exchange Online - EXOL) and AIP/Purview data labeling projects to meet CMMC L2/ISO-27001 ITAR, DFARS and EAR compliance.
- Hands on M365 B2B Cross Tenant Collaboration support for Teams, OneDrive and SharePoint Online with Microsoft Purview automation for CUI hunting and Data Labeling during migrations.
Enterprise Solutions Architect & Cloud Systems & Infrastructure Engineer
Point Solutions Group
05.2020 - 07.2021
- Team Lead for Systems & Infrastructure; custom-built a new hybrid Cloud on dedicated infrastructure to meet CMMC L2 ITAR/DFARS/EAR compliance for an RTX Divestiture requiring completely new environment in Azure Secure Enclave.
- Hands on implementation of complete security stack within the Secure Enclave, including a new Active Directory Domain, Entra ID, RBAC, ABAC, and application upgrades with migrations for SharePoint Online, SAP S4 HANA, and 100+ applications upgraded to meet CMMC L2, ITAR, DFARS, and EAR compliance requirements.
- Personally built SAP S4 HANA solution with 57 Azure VM’s for DEV, QA & PROD with compliant configuration in Azure GCC High Secure Enclave. Deployed, configured and hardened all SAP Servers as part of greenfield to CMMC L2 custom build with migration from RTX to DMT. New Secure Enclave with swivel chair access to SAP, Labware, MES, SharePoint and many enterprise applications for DIB.
Education
BS - Computer Science
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA01.1995
AA - Computer Science
OWCC
01.1992
Skills
- On-premises and hybrid cloud security
- Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC)
- Azure GCC High secure enclaves
- Microsoft 365 workplace solutions
- Active Directory management
- Security protocols
- Group Policy Objects (GPOs)
- Entra ID management
- Intune device management
- Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)
- Mobile device management (MDM)
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Single sign-on (SSO)
- Role-based access control (RBAC)
- Attribute-based access control (ABAC)
- SharePoint Online (SPO)
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Purview data governance
- Azure Information Protection (AIP)
- Zero Trust architecture
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
- Data loss prevention (DLP)
- Microsoft Defender solutions
Certification
PMP
Timeline
Senior Cloud Engineer - Cloud Readiness & Migration Projects
Fisher & Phillips
05.2024 - 12.2024
Senior Systems Engineer & Solutions Architect
Hermanson Company
08.2023 - 05.2024
Senior Technical Architect & Project Lead
American Technology Services
01.2023 - 07.2023
Enterprise Solutions Architect & Cloud Systems & Infrastructure Engineer
Converge
07.2021 - 01.2023
Enterprise Solutions Architect & Cloud Systems & Infrastructure Engineer
Point Solutions Group
05.2020 - 07.2021
Solutions Architect & Cloud Engineer
Cloud 9 Technologies
01.2016 - 01.2025
BS - Computer Science
Tulane University
AA - Computer Science
OWCC