Syeda Viquarunisa

Senior Network Engineer

Chicago, Illinois, United States

About

Network Engineer | Cloud & Security | SD-WAN | Automation With 9 years of experience in designing and securing high-performance network infrastructures, I specialize in building scalable, resilient, and secure networks across Financial, Healthcare, and E-Commerce industries. Proficient in configuring and managing network devices from Cisco, Palo Alto, and Fortinet, I ensure seamless connectivity, security, and efficiency. My expertise spans SD-WAN, cloud networking, and network automation using Ansible and Terraform, optimizing remote connectivity and reducing manual overhead. Skilled in firewall management, VPN technologies (IPSec, SSL, MPLS), and load balancing (F5 Big-IP), I enhance network security, performance, and availability. Passionate about proactive network monitoring (SolarWinds, Nagios, PRTG), disaster recovery planning, and WAN optimization, I leverage deep knowledge of routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP) to ensure minimal downtime and seamless operations. Always exploring innovative solutions to drive secure, efficient, and future-ready networks. Let’s connect!

Experience

  • Sr. Network Engineer at Uline
    Jul 2023 - Present · 3 yrs

    • Managed the network infrastructure to ensure seamless communication and high availability for e-commerce transactions and customer interactions. • Designed and implemented network solutions to support high traffic volumes, ensuring minimal downtime during peak sales periods. • Worked closely with internal teams to integrate new networking solutions into the e-commerce infrastructure for optimal performance. • Configured and maintained routers, switches, and firewalls to optimize data routing and protect sensitive customer information. • Monitored network performance and traffic flow, proactively identifying and addressing potential bottlenecks in e-commerce applications. • Coordinated with third-party service providers to manage bandwidth and network resources, ensuring reliable connectivity during peak demand. • Implemented and optimized load balancing solutions to distribute traffic efficiently across multiple servers and data centers. • Led troubleshooting efforts to quickly resolve network-related issues, minimizing disruptions to customer-facing e-commerce platforms. •Supported the design and deployment of secure VPN solutions for remote teams working across multiple locations. •Implemented network security measures, including firewalls and intrusion detection systems, to protect e-commerce platforms from cyber threats. • Conducted network performance audits and implemented improvements to ensure optimal uptime and support for critical e-commerce services. •Configured and managed network segmentation to isolate sensitive customer data and ensure compliance with industry standards. •Worked with vendors to procure and maintain networking hardware and software, ensuring high availability and cost-efficiency. •Developed and maintained detailed network documentation, including configuration management and troubleshooting procedures. •Collaborated with application and security teams to implement comprehensive network solutions tailored to e-commerce platform needs.

  • Sr. Network Engineer at Fifth Third Bank
    Nov 2021 - Jun 2023 · 1 yr 8 mos

    • Ensured seamless operation of secure and high-performance network infrastructures to support critical financial transactions and operations. • Designed and implemented network solutions that meet the security, compliance, and performance standards specific to the financial industry. • Led troubleshooting efforts and conducted root cause analysis to resolve complex network issues, minimizing the impact on financial systems. • Applied advanced security measures including firewalls, access controls, and encryption to safeguard sensitive financial data from unauthorized access. • Worked closely with cross-functional teams to integrate innovative network technologies into existing financial infrastructure smoothly. • Continuously monitored network performance to guarantee low latency and high throughput, supporting real-time financial applications. • Managed the configuration and optimization of advanced routers, switches, and next-gen firewalls, improving data flow and enhancing security. • Collaborated with telecom providers to manage leased lines and network bandwidth, ensuring reliable connectivity for financial processes. • Contributed to disaster recovery planning and business continuity strategies, ensuring rapid network restoration during service disruptions. • Deployed and maintained secure VPNs, enabling remote access for employees and stakeholders with minimal risk. • Partnered with cybersecurity teams to implement threat detection and monitoring systems, reducing risks to financial networks. • Conducted regular network audits to ensure compliance with regulatory standards like PCI DSS, GDPR, and SOC 2. • Managed MPLS networks dynamically to ensure secure and efficient data transport for financial applications and services. • Worked alongside application teams to design and implement network architectures that optimize the performance of financial software and databases.

  • Sr. Network Engineer at TMG Health
    Sep 2019 - Oct 2021 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    • Designed, deployed, and maintained robust network infrastructures to support essential healthcare systems and ensure secure patient data flow. • Optimized performance for LAN and WAN environments, enabling seamless connectivity across multiple healthcare facilities. • Configured and managed advanced networking devices like routers, switches, and firewalls to ensure reliable and secure communication. • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the network supported smooth integration of healthcare applications and medical devices. • Enforced strict network security protocols using firewalls, VLANs, and ACLs to protect sensitive data and maintain regulatory compliance. • Diagnosed and resolved complex network issues efficiently, minimizing downtime and ensuring critical healthcare systems remained operational. • Utilized tools like SolarWinds and PRTG for continuous network performance monitoring, identifying and resolving potential issues promptly. • Coordinated with telecom vendors to maintain cost-efficient bandwidth solutions that ensured smooth communication and data transfer. • Configured and supported secure VPN connections to enable healthcare professionals to access critical systems remotely with reliability. • Worked closely with IT security teams to implement and monitor advanced threat detection systems, strengthening network security posture. • Performed periodic network audits to validate compliance with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA and address potential gaps. • Configured and optimized routing protocols like BGP and OSPF to ensure efficient data transfer across healthcare sites and remote offices. • Assisted in planning and executing major network upgrades, ensuring the infrastructure could meet growing demands for data and services. • Managed IP addressing schemes effectively to ensure seamless integration of devices and systems across the healthcare network.

  • Network Engineer at Cognizant
    Jun 2017 - Aug 2019 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    • Contributed to the design and implementation of scalable network infrastructures, ensuring smooth connectivity and high performance across environments. • Configured and maintained Juniper and Aruba network devices, optimizing operations and strengthening network security. • Assisted in the deployment and configuration of network hardware and software for enterprise-wide LAN and WAN environments. • Monitored network performance using PRTG and Splunk, quickly diagnosing issues to minimize downtime and maximize reliability. • Provided support in troubleshooting complex network issues, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and optimal performance across different network segments. • Strengthened network security by managing Fortinet firewalls and enforcing detailed access control policies. • Implemented VLAN segmentation to enhance network security and improve traffic management within the organization’s networks. • Managed IPsec VPNs to provide secure remote access for both employees and external partners. • Collaborated with IT teams to seamlessly integrate advanced hardware and software into existing network architectures. • Assisted in planning and executing network upgrades to accommodate business growth and evolving technical requirements. • Performed regular network backups and recovery procedures, ensuring business continuity and safeguarding critical data. • Supported the development and implementation of disaster recovery plans to minimize downtime during network incidents. • Maintained network documentation, including up-to-date technical diagrams and configuration details for operational efficiency. • Provided end-user support for network-related issues, ensuring quick resolutions and a positive user experience. • Conducted performance analysis to optimize traffic flow and improve overall network efficiency. • Configured and managed Cloud Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), creating secure, isolated environments for hosting services.

  • Network Engineer at Innominds Software
    Oct 2015 - May 2017 · 1 yr 8 mos

    • Assisted in configuring and managing routers, switches, and firewalls to ensure continuous network connectivity. • Monitored network performance, detecting issues like slow connections or downtime, and escalated concerns to senior engineers as needed. • Contributed to the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of both wired and wireless network devices across the organization. • Aided in managing network security through the configuration of firewall rules, VPNs, and access control lists (ACLs). • Configured and maintained LAN and WAN infrastructures to ensure reliable communication across all connected devices. • Participated in network upgrade projects, including hardware replacements and software updates, to keep systems current. • Assisted with the implementation and management of VLAN segmentation to enhance network security and traffic flow. • Supported VPN setup and management to provide secure remote access for employees working offsite or from branch offices. • Helped resolve network-related issues reported by users, ensuring minimal disruptions to daily business operations. • Created and maintained documentation for network configurations, device setups, and troubleshooting guides. • Conducted regular network health checks to proactively identify and address performance issues or potential bottlenecks. • Assisted with network capacity planning to ensure infrastructure met the growing data and communication demands of the organization. • Supported the deployment and configuration of network monitoring tools like SolarWinds and Nagios for ongoing network performance tracking. • Worked with senior engineers to troubleshoot and resolve network faults, ensuring rapid recovery during service disruptions. • Collaborated with internal teams on network integration projects, ensuring smooth deployment of new applications and services. • Assisted in configuring and troubleshooting Layer 3 routing protocols like OSPF and EIGRP.