SAI Kaushik PARAVASTU
Houston,TX
Summary
Network Automation Engineer with expertise in Terraform and Zscaler integration, delivering secure proxy access for over 25,000 users through policy automation. Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance network security and streamline operations. Skilled in networking protocols and Python scripting, contributing to improved network efficiency and reduced manual tasks. Notable achievements include ensuring business continuity with minimized downtime through effective automation solutions.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Network Automation Engineer
CBTS
Houston, TX
12.2023 - Current
- Led the end-to-end automation of Zscaler ZIA/ZPA policies using modular Terraform, delivering secure proxy access for over 25,000 global users.
- Built and maintained App Connector provisioning with posture validation, including SIPA tunneling and enforcement via Equinix Metal VMs.
- Developed and scheduled Python scripts to pull Zscaler API logs, automate policy audits, and generate compliance reports.
- Integrated ZDX for real-time telemetry and tunnel health tracking; enforced SLA thresholds using alert hooks.
- Created policy-as-code frameworks for strict SSL inspection, identity-based access, and forwarder groups across ZIA.
- Collaborated with NIAC, IAM, Load Balancer, and DevOps teams to onboard internal apps into ZPA with segmentation and posture gating.
- Managed Jenkins pipelines for automated deployment of location groups, authentication rules, and dynamic policy push.
Cloud Automation Engineer (Intern -> Full-Time)
IOASIZ
Remote
09.2023 - Current
- Created production-grade Terraform scripts to deploy ZIA/ZPA security policies, App Connector configurations, and traffic forwarding rules.
- Designed and provisioned Equinix Metal virtual machines using Terraform automation for secure connector deployment.
- Utilized AWS WorkSpaces and IAM roles for user environment setup and identity enforcement.
- Automated Zscaler and Prisma configuration auditing using Python API scripts.
- Collaborated with DevOps to set up CI/CD deployment of firewall and SaaS policies.
- Performed SSL policy cleanup and validation across Zscaler tenants.
Education
M.S. - Engineering Management
University of South Florida
Tampa, FLB.Tech - Chemical Engineering
Anurag group of Institutions
IndiaSkills
- Terraform
- Jenkins
- Git
- CI/CD tools
- Command line interfaces
- Python programming
- Bash scripting
- Zscaler ZIA/ZPA integration
- SIPA configuration
- GRE/IPSEC tunneling
- Application connectors
- SSL inspection techniques
- VPN management
- AWS cloud services
- GCP cloud solutions
- Equinix Metal deployment
- ZDX monitoring
- Splunk analytics
- CURL commands
- Linux command line
- Policy as code implementation
- Zero trust access control
- Secure edge architecture
- API-first automation strategies
- Policy management systems
- Cloud provisioning practices
- API integration solutions
- Network automation techniques
- Network security protocols
Project Highlights
- Supply Chain Optimization using Python (Master's Capstone Project), Built a demand forecasting simulation model using Python and real-time inventory data., Applied predictive analytics and supply chain strategy techniques to optimize reorder levels., Used APIs and Google Sheets for real-time dashboards and team reporting.
- Low VOC Paint Automation (Undergraduate Final Year Project), Designed an automated system to optimize paint formulations for reduced volatile organic compound emissions., Used Python scripts to simulate chemical blending, automate viscosity tracking, and report compliance metrics.
- Enterprise Policy Automation - ZIA/ZPA, Rolled out access segmentation, identity policy, and telemetry monitoring to 25,000+ users via Terraform and Jenkins pipelines.
- Infrastructure Provisioning - Equinix + AWS, Provisioned production-grade VMs via Equinix and automated connector deployment using Terraform and Python.
Timeline
Network Automation Engineer
CBTS
12.2023 - Current
Cloud Automation Engineer (Intern -> Full-Time)
IOASIZ
09.2023 - Current
M.S. - Engineering Management
University of South Florida
B.Tech - Chemical Engineering
Anurag group of Institutions