Araña, Jeffrey Cecilio A.

Current Job Highlights

Assigned in a goverment agency project- and operations- based team which the main goal is to establish a working infrastructure and to migrate all existing legacy systems to a new tech refresh. With G50 clearance, I have skills in on-premise systems management, proficient in systems administration, deployment of Windows ecosystem, understanding of networking architecture and internet protocols, with experience on system and network monitoring tools. Have existing exposure in public cloud (AWS & Azure) and with experience in systems and network design and development.

Management reporting bi-weekly for capacity, account audit & review, and patch management.

A fast-paced working environment where things are always happening at a rapid pace. Working in this type of workplace, I often juggle multiple projects or tasks at once and always being prepared to take on something new with only a moment's notice.

I need to move between tasks continuously or carry out multiple duties and responsibilities at the same time.

In time, I learned how to adapt to this type of workplace and helped a lot to grow and prevent burnout at work.

Getting to know my coworkers and their tech responsibilities helped me perform my duties better because I can share, divide, and prioritize tasks accordingly. It also makes it easier to ask for each other's help. Building relationship with each of them I found it healthy for my mental-health and it event creates a fun, welcoming work environment.

I do set daily, weekly, monthly goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based. 

System engineer in a government agency (black site operations)

• Day to day through both remote access' CyberArk's operations and onsite management 

• Install,  deploy, service and maintain (and patch/updates) mission critical IT infrastructure

• Project related handled deployment of new ESXi hosts for 50+ VMs - mixture of production and UAT

• Monthly reporting: Capacity management, System account review, ABLR, printing statistics 

• Vulnerability management system using Nessus addressing its weekly findings and WSUS 

• Firmware updates management

• Vendor management and support

• Active Directory user management and service accounts' changes

• VLAN provisioning for SOE, a mother domain,  domain servers

• Distribution point servers (SCCM) deployment on Windows 2019 

• Live Update Administration (Symantec)

• DLO Veritas' Desktop and Laptop Option operation and management & Veritas Netbackup client

• SharePoint system practical administration

• FTP server administration with accompanied designed script accordingly

• Change management through service management and close coordination with DBA, Network administrators, and Desktop support teams

• Service management entries - all change and requests  

• With G50 government clearance

• LDS management (lightweight directory services)

• Solving technical issues with the DBA, Network, Change management, and Desktop teams. 

• Strong troubleshooting skills of very complex systems 

• Able to explain complex IT concepts in simple terms (layman's language)

• Able to manage high priority projects

As an infrastructure and operations system engineer, I'm part of a team who administers the Government IT system infrastructures and services. I work within that team of engineers (DBA, Network, Security, Apps, Desktop and vendors) with strong technical competency to conceptualise, implement and manage the Government IT system infrastructure and ensuring high levels of availability, performance, security and good user experience across the Whole-of-Government (WOG). 

I have more than a decade of proven experience in vendor relationship and IT service management, managing vendors in meeting contract deliverables, compliance, and service improvement. I have technical skills in a wide spectrum of IT infrastructure and technologies, in the following: 

 a. IT service management system such as ServiceNow, Jira

 b. Basic knowledge in Cloud Services i.e Google GCP and Amazon AWS

 c. Basic knowledge in business analytics tools i.e Qlik

 d. Security knowledge in securing both logical (access rights)  and physical infrastructure (data center)

 e. Privileged account management like CyberArk

 f. Monitoring systems i.e Solarwind, WinCollect, ABLR (UF and HF (log) forwarder system management)

 g. Experience in IT support with chatbot and digital guide (i.e. ManyChat and Jira Service Management with Confluence)

 h. Knowledge of ITIL processes and procedures

 i. Project management skills  with proven experience to manage a project plan, track milestones, identify loop holes and consistently complete the project on time and within budget

 j. Able to work independently and as a good team player with analytical, management and planning skills

 k. Good written and communication skills with the ability to present complex systems in layman's terms for non-technical audience

 l. Dynamic and with good analytical/conceptual thinking and problem-solving skills; hands-on

 m. Ability to identify gaping holes in service delivery and does make recommendations

 n. Always keeping the team up to date of the latest asset (CMDB) inventory, roadmap and best practices

However, it's not always work for me without play or exercise. I do schedule my pauses in life to meet my work-life balanced needs. Only to gain more to give afresh after each pause.

Work Experience

For more than a decade in IT office environment,  mobile infrastructure , IT project management and data centre operations, I gained progressive knowledge of systems and technology that corporate IT has to offer in this age. Improvements, changes, and systems being simplified are amongst those which surrounded my daily routines at work. Along the way, I found doing great the office administration and management, enhancements and control in operation processes, re-training teams for best practices, the ever needed collaboration system and the documentations needed. I can function well for a quality control; an office administration role with background in current close-knit office systems or perhaps a consultant that can be used as link and interface in between teams in and out of the IT systems. Operation lessened human factor mis-operations. Teams get more learned and abreast with the system. Audit finds improved and updated procedures. I manage to influence and contribute to such desired sustainable corporate culture.

Cost management through structured data analysis places myself into more in a management side of things.

Exit strategy experienced I am especially when an in-house system or group of systems need to be migrated or relocated or simply decided to shut down and divert to hosting to the cloud, private or public with security considerations.

A dedicated entrepreneur, specialising in leadership in cross-cultural environments, integrating operational, financial and technical requirements successfully through innovative use of industry knowledge and technological expertise. 

Oct 2020 - present.   System Engineer at NCS (7)
I am responsible for project as well as day to day operations for main agency assignment that is Customs. System administration includes monthlies: system account review, capacity planning, resource allocation, GITsir alerts, VMS vulnerability management system (using Nessus),  ABLR, Microsoft patch and firmware updates schedule and management. 

• Administers multiple vendors that provide IT support services to all government agencies, in ensuring delivery of contractual deliverables 

• Plan and assist Agencies to transit to new IT support services

• Establishes and review operational procedures to govern the provisioning of IT services by the contractors

• Conducts or addresses audits on premises and IT system infrastructure

• Works with the team on service improvement plan

• Reviews design of the on premise and IT systems infrastructure to ensure compliance with policies and meeting of contract requirement

• Involved in project management to ensure the implementation of plans such as tech refresh

• Conduct reviews on architecture, capacity of infrastructure,  contractors' performance and SLA

• Conducts and involved in briefings to Agencies, crafting of newsletters on new IT systems and changes.

• Reviews deployment plan for new central products and services to ensure support by the service contractors

• Participates and contribute in new central systems and enhancement projects

• Explores new solutions and technologies, integrate learning and recommendations for operational efficiency and continuous improvement of IT systems support for end users' better experience

Sept 2019 - Oct 2020.   Social media marketing freelancer (6)
I am responsible for driving engagement with different customers for three industries - a local coffee shop, real estate, and a high ticket product. I design and execute social media marketing programs and campaigns targeting prospects and customers across tools including email marketing, marketing automation, social media, website pages, content deployment and more. I translate prospect engagement into a lead scoring process that drives sales or booked appointments and new account registrations from both paid and organic leads. I am responsible for managing, segmenting, augmenting and optimising email list, constantly looking for ways to better target, engage and convert. 

2012-2019.   MySolar Pte Ltd and BSI Building Services International Pte Ltd, Singapore (35)
I was recently connected with a construction magnate, Buckeridge Group of Companies (BGC)  of West Australia as immediate office administrator cum local system administrator in their Singapore and the Philippines offices until its office closure.
Apart from the technical systems I administer across different business units on global offices (working with virtual teams), office management is one function added to my function as business requirement change on a lean team here in Singapore.

I assist staff (on site or virtual teams) with technical support of desktop computers, applications, and related technology. Support includes specification, installation, and testing of computer systems and peripherals within established standards and guidelines. Activities require interaction with application software and operating systems to diagnose and resolve app and hardware problems.

2007-2012.  Hugin Consulting for Larsen Oil and Gas Pte Ltd, Singapore (22)
I was connected with a Norwegian IT solution and services (for an offshore and marine industry). I work as a technical person and involved in operations along with the consultants under ITDC & Hugin Consulting in Singapore. I provide them hands-on enterprise level knowledge, operations, security administration and management of virtualised Windows-Intel-based systems for both on shore SG offices and for off-shore (vessels, jack-up and rigs) docked in Singapore.
We assist staff with technical support of desktop computers, applications, CAD, and related technology. Support includes specification, installation, and testing of computer systems and peripherals within established standards and guidelines across three local offices including the shipyard's. Activities require interaction with application software and operating systems to diagnose and resolve unique, non-recurring problems.

2005-2007.  Opus IT for IBM (SingHealth operations) (Singapore 11)
Data centre operations mainly for the medical and health applications.

Skills, Competencies  and Key Strengths

Affiliation (present)

Professional - IECEP/IEEE Mapúa chapter member; Church - St Bernadette Church of Zion Road, choir member,  since 2006; Catholic Contemplative Bible Study ministry, member, since 2006.

As a conservative, I aspire to contribute my skills and expertise to an esteemed organization within the realms of academic, business, operations, customer service, and marketing. By aligning my efforts with such an organization, I aim to drive substantial improvements, as I did in the past, not only benefiting the local community but also fostering the growth and success of the organization itself.

In joining a high-quality establishment, my intent is to leverage my proficiency across various disciplines to optimize business processes, enhance operational efficiency, elevate customer service standards, and devise strategic marketing initiatives. This synergy of talents is poised to generate a positive impact on both the local community and the organization, yielding mutual growth and advancement.

By being an integral part of this endeavor, I seek to actively contribute to the betterment of the local populace, either through the creation of valuable products or services that cater to their needs, the provision of employment opportunities, or the establishment of strong community partnerships. Simultaneously, I am committed to advancing the organization's mission, vision, and bottom-line performance, fostering a symbiotic relationship between its success and the betterment of the local ecosystem.

In essence, my aspiration is to merge my passion for excellence with a purpose-driven organization, working collaboratively to achieve remarkable outcomes that enrich both the lives of the locals and the organization's reputation and prominence within the business landscape.