Career

Linux systems administrator with more than a decade of hands-on experience across hosting infrastructure, email transport, networking, IT support, and server security. My career has spanned founding and operating a Linux hosting provider serving over 200 client accounts; directing IT for a 150-staff engineering and manufacturing operation across three countries; and supporting customers in a high-volume telecommunications environment — maintaining critical systems where downtime carries direct commercial consequences.

Technical skills

• Operating systems — Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, CloudLinux (server); Ubuntu and Mint (desktop)
• Hosting & control panels — ISPConfig, Plesk, cPanel / WHM, CloudLinux LVE
• Platforms & CMS — WHMCS, WordPress, Joomla!, Drupal, Odoo, ERPNext
• Programming & scripting — Bash, Python, PHP, HTML, CSS, Regex
• Databases — MySQL; Microsoft SQL Server
• Networking & security — TCP/IP, DNS (500+ domains), BIND, firewalls (OPNsense), VPNs (WireGuard, OpenVPN), DDoS mitigation, intrusion investigation
• Mail — Transport, deliverability, and security with Amavis, Rspamd, and SpamExperts / N-able
• Automation & operations — Backup and disaster recovery (Bacula, Bareos), remote monitoring, performance tuning, log analysis, virtualisation
• Business & client — Client relationship management, ticketing systems, procurement, vendor negotiation; touch typing at 100 WPM

Experience

Founder & Director — Noiz Cybersecurity

August 2016 – Present · formerly Cloud Matrix South Africa

Founded and scaled a premium domain, web-hosting, and cloud-services provider — shared hosting, managed WordPress, dedicated servers, and VPS deployments. Rebranded from Cloud Matrix to Noiz Cybersecurity as the business grew to include managed IT and cybersecurity service-level agreements. The operation now runs under a manager.

• Deployed, configured, and maintained shared servers and VPS fleets using Plesk, cPanel, and ISPConfig on Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, and CloudLinux.
• Architected multi-node Linux hosting clusters; implemented monitoring, backup, and disaster recovery; enforced patching and configuration standards.
• Maintained 99.9% uptime across more than 280 live websites and over 200 client accounts.
• Performed server-to-server and platform migrations with minimal downtime; handled capacity planning, cost management, and vendor optimisation.
• Deployed and administered WHMCS billing with module automation; integrated payment gateways and revenue workflows using Xero and Odoo.
• Delivered a managed WordPress platform for SME clients, with hardened defaults and update policies.
• Deployed and supported open-source platforms including PeerTube, Nextcloud, Send, and TacticalRMM.
• Developed a custom ModSecurity ruleset that was accepted into the CloudLinux Imunify360 ruleset.
• Completed ZACR technical, financial, and legal registrar accreditation for the .co.za namespace.

Director of IT — CE Africa

April 2023 – December 2024 · Boksburg, South Africa, and regional offices across three countries

• Managed critical internal IT infrastructure for a 150-staff engineering and manufacturing operation: endpoints, networking, servers, backups, email, and telecommunications.
• Administered ERP and accounting applications — SQL database and query tuning, backend schema management, and user support.
• Conducted cybersecurity investigations and implemented safeguards across on-premises and cloud assets.
• Supported Microsoft 365 end-user accounts while leading open-source platform migrations.
• Coordinated software and hardware procurement, and negotiated vendor contracts for hardware, software, industrial automation, and connectivity services.

Support Agent — Virgin Media Ireland (via CPL)

September 2020 – June 2021

• Provided Tier 1 and Tier 2 support for mobile, TV, and broadband customers.
• Diagnosed Wi-Fi and signal issues; managed equipment dispatch and SIM provisioning.
• Performed connectivity triage in a high-volume call-centre environment, including SNR, line diagnostics, and contention analysis.

Network Administrator — Jasper Consultants

February 2014 – July 2015 · Boksburg, South Africa

• Managed zero-downtime, large-scale migrations for hosting and marketing clients — data, domain transfers, DNS, hosting, databases, and email.
• Supported Apache and nginx web servers and CMS platforms (WordPress, Joomla!); resolved HTML, CSS, PHP, and MySQL faults.
• Assisted sales staff with customer contract matters.

Installation Technician — ABSA Bank

November 2014 – January 2015 · Johannesburg, South Africa

• Member of a nationwide deployment team replacing PIN-entry devices across bank branches.
• Coordinated branch scheduling, chain-of-custody, and asset tracking; handled vendor escalations.
• Performed installation, configuration, and functional testing with minimal downtime, maintaining payment-device security throughout.

Junior Architectural Draughtsman — Drafting-On-Call Architects

April 2012 – May 2013 · Benoni, South Africa

• Drafted presentation drawings for client meetings and council submission drawings for approval.
• Prepared supporting documentation including SANS compliance and tender specifications.
• Conducted on-site measuring, compiled site documentation, and liaised with councils.

Retail Assistant — Mega Games

2011 – 2012 · Brakpan, South Africa

• Front-of-house retail for new and used PC and console games — sales, merchandising, stock control, and daily cashing up.
• Studied architectural drafting part-time during this period.

Certifications & training

• OPITO BOSIET with EBS — 3T Training Services, Aberdeen (2026)
• OPITO MIST — Minimum Industry Safety Training — 3T Training Services, Aberdeen (2026)
• OEUK Offshore Medical Certificate — 3T Training Services, Aberdeen (2026)
• LFCA — Linux Foundation Certified IT Associate — The Linux Foundation (2025)
• LFS200 — Fundamentals of Open Source IT and Cloud Computing — The Linux Foundation (2025)
• LFS201 — Essentials of Linux Systems Administration — The Linux Foundation (2021)
• Professional Hosting Technical Support Training — Afrihost (2016)
• SSI Deep Diving Specialty — Scuba Schools International

Education

• AutoCAD & Revit Architecture 3D Design — CADWorld Training Centre (2012)
• BSc Aeronautical Engineering (commenced) — University of the Witwatersrand (2011)
• IEB Matric, National Senior Certificate — Christian Brothers College, Boksburg (2009). Graduated with distinction and university exemption.

Languages

English (native) · Afrikaans (conversational) · Russian (beginner)