Vasim Ahmed

Leader in Digital Transformations with Security and Efficient ROI

📍 Delta, BC
👋 Contact Vasim
☀️

Summary

Accomplished and results-driven Enterprise Architect with over 27 years of progressive experience in architecting and implementing digital transformation solutions. Proven expertise in leading large-scale cloud adoption, application modernization, and establishing robust governance across multi-cloud environments (Azure, AWS, GCP). Adept at integrating security by design, implementing Zero-Trust architectures, and optimizing cloud spend through advanced FinOps practices. Skilled in strategic leadership, financial management, and fostering cyber resilience, with a track record of delivering multi-million-dollar cost savings and significant operational efficiencies. Eligible for Government of Canada Secret Level security clearance.

Key Achievements

This section highlights significant accomplishments with quantifiable results, demonstrating leadership and impact across various technology domains.

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Application Modernization & Consolidation

Spearheaded modernization of 50+ critical legacy applications.

Resulted in a 30% reduction in TCO and a 25% improvement in application performance.

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Multi-Cloud Adoption & FinOps

Architected migration of 70% on-premises workloads to multi-cloud.

$2.5M+

Annual Cloud Cost Optimization

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Zero-Trust Architecture & Security by Design

Led Zero Trust Architecture rollout, enhancing enterprise security posture.

40%

Reduction in Enterprise Attack Surface

Through micro-segmentation, identity-centric access control, and continuous validation.

🤖

AI/ML Integration & MLOps

Pioneered AI adoption in SecOps and developed strategic roadmap for Agentic AI.

$1.8M+

Potential Annual Savings Identified

Through secure, AI-driven automation in threat detection and security operations.

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Datacenter Migrations & Virtualization

Executed complex migration of two data centers to hybrid cloud with zero disruption.

1,000+ Servers

5,000+ Users

Impacted with zero critical business disruption.

20% improvement in virtualization infrastructure utilization.

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Kubernetes & Containerization

Championed Kubernetes adoption, boosting deployment frequency and efficiency.

Achieved a 2x improvement in deployment frequency and a 15% reduction in infrastructure provisioning time.

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Licensing Optimization

Led comprehensive SQL and Microsoft licensing consolidations.

$1M+

Annual Savings Achieved

By optimizing agreements and retiring unused licenses.

Experience

This section details my professional journey, highlighting key roles and contributions in enterprise architecture, cloud strategy, and security.

Enterprise Architect (Cloud Strategy, Financial & AI Governance & Security Compliance)

Bell Canada (via Mariner Innovations) | Sep 2021 – March 2025

  • Spearheaded cloud strategy and transformation initiatives, ensuring scalability, security, and financial governance across AWS and GCP environments.
  • Architected and implemented comprehensive multi-cloud governance frameworks, with a specific focus on Azure, AWS, and GCP.
  • Established and enforced security and compliance frameworks, aligning with Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM), SOC 2, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS.
  • Defined and enforced guardrails for cloud operations using tools such as AWS Control Tower, Azure Policy, and GCP Organization Policy Service.
  • Instrumental in Cloud Compliance Automation, leveraging tools like AWS Config, Azure Security Center, Cloud Posture Management, and GRC and SIEM platforms.
  • Directed financial governance frameworks, enabling multi-million-dollar cost optimization, budget forecasting, and spend transparency.
  • Championed cloud security posture management, driving Prisma Cloud adoption and remediation strategies.
  • Pioneered AI adoption in SecOps, implementing an ML Ops framework to securely integrate AI-driven automation.
  • Achieved multi-million-dollar savings by architecting the migration of a Cloudera-based on-prem Security Data Lake to a cloud-native PaaS solution.

Enterprise Architect and Alliance Team Member (Cloud Practice and Alliance Team)

Mariner Innovations | Sep 2021 – Dec 2023

  • Played a pivotal role in driving cloud strategy, strategic partnerships, and security compliance initiatives.
  • Spearheaded the development of cloud governance structures.
  • Operationalized Zero Trust principles within Azure by implementing network micro-segmentation, role-based access, conditional access policies, and secure baseline configurations.
  • Led the development and launch of enterprise security offerings.
  • Established foundational security frameworks for ISO compliance.

Cloud Migration Manager and Head of Fin-Ops - Leader (Cloud Adoption and Migration)

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank | June 2021 – May 2022

  • Provided strategic support for Azure migrations, leading responsibility mapping, governance checkpoints, and aligning migration workflows.
  • Led Azure governance implementation in partnership with KPMG.
  • Acted as a trusted governance advisor to technical and executive stakeholders, translating complex security, compliance, and operational concerns into actionable cloud policies and architecture standards.
  • Collaborated with finance teams to define and implement effective controls, streamlining processes to ensure budgetary discipline in cloud consumption.
  • Identified and executed cost containment and avoidance strategies.
  • Ensured API Gateway's (MuleSoft) horizontal scaling and load balancer failover switching was tested, and appropriate rate limiting and throttling were in place.
  • Ensured API Gateway's (MuleSoft) audit trails were fully traceable for data access and API calls.

Technology Solution Architect

Injazat Data Systems | June 2010 – June 2021

  • Governed cloud-native solutions for complex, enterprise-scale applications.
  • Developed enterprise architecture governance policies based on the TOGAF framework.
  • Led large-scale data center migrations, implementing the 7 R's of Cloud Migration framework (Rehost, Replatform, Refactor, Repurchase, Retire, Retain, Relocate) for Application Modernization across critical FMO systems.
  • Optimized infrastructure spending on OS, applications, and databases, delivering millions in cost savings.
  • Designed multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments, orchestrating and automating deployments and migrations.
  • Implemented private cloud solutions for government entities, ensuring secure and scalable architectures.

Operations Delivery Lead

Hewlett Packard, Bengaluru, BLR | February 2008 – May 2010

  • Led Operations teams and SIP implementation efforts across functional teams.

Microsoft Exchange Support Consultant (Pro Customers)

Wipro BPO, Belapur New Mumbai, BOM | July 2004 – January 2008

  • Team lead managing 8 Microsoft Exchange Support Engineers on their technical delivery efficiency.

System Support Engineer

Jackys Electronics, Dubai, NY | February 2002 – May 2004

  • Supported on-field enterprise application availability and uptime.

Lead Developer and System Admin

Ace Virtual Technologies Pvt Ltd, Mumbai India | July 2000 – February 2002

  • Developed applications for Windows CE and managed systems and network.

Center Network Administrator

NIIT Computer Education, Thane and Mulund CA | April 1998 – July 2000

  • Assisted students in code compilation and projects; managed network.

Education

My academic background has provided a strong foundation for my career in IT and enterprise architecture.

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Sales and Operations

MAHE, Dubai, DXB | September 2019

Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)

AIEM, Mumbai, India | April 2003

Junior College Commerce BCOM

State Board Mumbai | April 2000

Certifications & Awards

Continuous learning and professional development are key to staying current in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Google Certified Professional (GCP)

December 2020

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

September 2020

Project Management Professional (PMP)

July 2020

Togaf 9.2

July 2019

Azure Certified Solution Architect

August 2017

Certifications In Progress:

  • FinOps Certified Practitioner
  • FinOps Certified Professional
  • (ISC) Certified Information Systems Security Professional - CISSP®
  • Offensive Security - Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

Technology Exposures

A broad range of technical skills and familiarity with leading platforms and tools.

Cloud Platforms

  • Azure
  • AWS
  • GCP
  • M365
  • SaaS

Security & Governance Tools

  • Prisma Cloud
  • AWS Control Tower
  • Azure Policy
  • GCP Organization Policy Service
  • Azure Security Center
  • GRC platforms
  • SIEM
  • CMDB
  • Apptio Cloudability

Frameworks & Standards

  • NIST
  • PCI
  • SOC2
  • ISO 27001
  • CIS Benchmarks
  • TOGAF
  • Zero Trust Architecture
  • Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM)
  • Microsoft FinOps best practices
  • 7 R's of Cloud Migration

Identity and Access

  • Azure AD
  • Okta
  • Active Directory
  • Sailpoint Access Integrations

Technologies

  • Generative AI
  • Post-Quantum Cryptography
  • Blockchain
  • 5G
  • Private Wireless Networks
  • Cloud Security
  • Network Security
  • Large Scale Identity and Authentication Systems
  • SaaS Platforms
  • Team Member Device Security
  • Security Data Analytics
  • Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM)
  • Kubernetes

Operations

  • Virtualization (VMWare, Hyper-V, KVM)
  • Backup Recovery
  • BCP
  • Infosec Consulting
  • DevOps
  • ML Ops
  • SQL Licensing
  • Microsoft Licensing