About me

My Journey

A Journey of Perseverance and Determination: From Humble Beginnings to IT Leadership

I was born into a large family with six siblings—four brothers and two sisters—where financial hardships were a constant part of life. My father, the sole breadwinner, worked tirelessly, cycling 40 to 45 kilometers daily to provide for us. Despite his long hours, my mother did her part as well, stitching clothes at home to help support the family. Life was a daily struggle, but their dedication left an indelible mark on me.

My place in the family—being the fourth child—meant I was spared much of the pressure that weighed on my older siblings, particularly my eldest brother, who had the weight of expectation on his shoulders.

While my family worked hard to make ends meet, affording quality education was out of reach. I attended a government school where learning was minimal, and with Urdu as my mother tongue, studying in English was an immense challenge. I struggled throughout school, particularly in English, and even failed my 10th-grade exams. I vividly remember failing the English exam, which seemed like an insurmountable obstacle given that the entire curriculum was in English. But I didn’t give up. I took private tuition to catch up, determined not to let this barrier stop me. After multiple attempts and setbacks, I eventually passed.

College was not an option for me due to the financial strain on my family. At just 15, I knew I had contribute, but I wasn’t sure how. I decided to pursue a course in air conditioning and refrigeration from Sir Syed Industrial Training Institute (ITI), which marked the first step in my career. I completed the course and began practicing as an AC technician at my uncle’s shop. It was honest work, but I felt a growing desire for something more.

Then, a piece of information changed my life: Sir Syed ITI had started offering computer courses. A “Diploma in Computer Applications” caught my eye. The course included MS-DOS, early versions of Windows, and other applications I couldn’t have imagined learning just a short while earlier. This was the beginning of my journey into the world of IT, a field that was still very new and mysterious to me at the time.

My entrance into IT felt like destiny, and it opened doors I never thought possible. Each step since then has been fueled by my passion to learn, my willingness to never give up, and the foundation laid by my parents' hard work and sacrifice. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, from repairing air conditioners to leading IT security operations, and it’s all thanks to the values of perseverance, dedication, and resilience that were instilled in me from a young age.

Education

Overcoming Obstacles to Pursue My Dreams

After passing my 10th-grade exams, I faced a significant challenge: I couldn’t attend college due to my family's financial situation. This led to a gap in my education, but my desire to study never faded.

I successfully completed my Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree. Balancing academics with hands-on technical experience helped lay a strong foundation for my career.

Around the same time, I also completed my Diploma in Computer Applications from Sir Syed ITI, which marked the true beginning of my journey into the world of IT.

Later, as I continued my professional journey in Dubai, I pursued an MBA in Information Systems through distance education. Despite a demanding schedule, I managed my studies while working full-time and traveled back to India each semester for exams. Completing my MBA was a proud milestone that reinforced my commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

Sir Syed ITI arranged interviews for students who had completed the diploma, and only a few were selected for a prestigious computer hardware course offered by MMH Computers at Dabirpura, Hyderabad. I was fortunate to be one of the few selected.

My first trainer and mentor at MMH Computers, Mr. Imtiyaz Khan, played a pivotal role in guiding me through this new world of IT. He not only taught me the essentials of computer hardware but also reassured my father that this path would lead me to success, even without a formal degree. His words resonated: degrees bring honour and prestige, but acquiring these technical skills would open doors for me. My father deeply admired Mr. Imtiyaz’s encouragement and always believed in the value of the IT skills I was learning. He would often mention how grateful he was for Mr. Imtiaz’s support.

My father passed away in Chicago, USA in the year 2021, but he carried that belief with him until the end of his life, always reminding me of the importance of sincerity and dedication in whatever I pursued.

My father, an ex-serviceman who served in the CRPF for many years, took voluntary retirement due to family obligations. Afterward, he became supervisor of physical security at one of the largest state-owned dairy farms, Vijaya Dairy Farm. He was a man of great wisdom, particularly when it came to understanding and guiding me.

One of the challenges he recognized early on was my struggle with the English language, which was a significant barrier, especially with my studies and future career in IT, where English was the primary medium.

In the year 2000, realizing the importance of overcoming this hurdle, he made the decision to enroll me in Russel’s Spoken English Institute at Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad. which was one of the best institutions at the time, although quite expensive.

It was here that I learned English grammar and speaking skills, which became a true asset in my life. Without this crucial support from my father, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue IT, His foresight and belief in me laid the foundation for much of my later success.

My Father’s Wisdom

How I Got into IT

As I mentioned earlier, my journey into IT started at Sir Syed ITI at Talab Katta old city Hyderabad, where I first enrolled in a diploma course in computer applications. After completing the DCA (Diploma in Computer Applications) course, I

moved on to MMH Computers at Dabirpura, Hyderabad. where I had my first true exposure to computer hardware.

It was after completing the hardware course that I decided to join ABZ Academy for my first certification-based course, MCSE, which was focused on Windows NT at the time. This was a turning point in my career, as it was here that I realized IT was the path I wanted to pursue long-term.

Although the course was only a few months long, I spent almost a year at the institute, dedicating my time to learning and practicing. The administration at ABZ Academy was incredibly supportive, allowing me to spend extended hours in the lab, and even sit in on refresher classes whenever I needed. This hands-on experience was instrumental in building the technical foundation that I needed to move forward in my career.

My Grandmother’s Unwavering Support

After completing my MCSE course, I was eager to take the certification exams and officially validate my skills. However, a significant obstacle stood in my way—financial constraints. At that time, each exam cost 2,000 rupees, and with a minimum of six exams required to achieve my very first IT certification, MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), it was simply beyond my father’s financial means.

Seeing my determination but understanding the challenge, my mother turned to someone whose love and support had always been unconditional—my grandmother, Syeda Khadija Begum. She was the heart of our family, a woman of great wisdom and kindness whom I hold dear in my heart.

Without a second thought, she assured my mother that she would help me through the certification process and beyond. But what made this gesture even more profound was that my grandmother was not a working woman—she had no personal income or savings of her own. Yet, she made sure I received the financial assistance I needed, thanks to the unwavering generosity of my uncles, her sons, who stood by her decision and made it possible.

Their collective support at this crucial moment in my journey became the foundation for my future success. That first IT certification opened doors I never imagined possible, shaping my career and fuelling my passion for learning. To this day, I carry immense gratitude for my grandmother’s belief in me and for the sacrifices made by my uncles—because without them, my path might have been very different.

My First Achievement in IT

The MCSE certification was my first significant achievement in IT, even before I completed my degree from the university. At the time, the MCSE certification was highly regarded and was considered equivalent to a bachelor's degree. This accomplishment not only boosted my confidence but also opened doors for me in the IT industry, marking the beginning of my professional journey in technology.

My First Job in IT

After earning my first certification in MCSE, I was eager to expand my knowledge. With my beloved grandmother's continued support, I decided to pursue courses CCNA and Linux. I enrolled at Zoom Technologies, the leading institute for Cisco training at the time, located at Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.

Upon completing the CCNA course, I would visit the institute daily, as they generously offered students a year to refresh their knowledge and practice.

I spent long hours in the labs practicing and assisting new students, which caught the attention of the institute's owner, Mr. Noble Mohsin. Impressed by my dedication, he offered me a position as a lab assistant for the MCSE course. This marked the beginning of my IT career, and eventually, I transitioned into the role of a trainer. That was my first job in the IT field.

By this time, I had worked for Zoom Technologies in Hyderabad, India, for a year. When Zoom Technologies opened its first overseas institute in Dubai Internet City, UAE, they offered me the position of trainer, covering all travel expenses and providing excellent living and transportation facilities.

In June 2003, I moved to Dubai—a city that would soon shape my life in ways I never expected. But in the beginning, it was tough. I hated Dubai. I was homesick, missing my family, my home in Hyderabad, and my country. This was my first step into the world beyond Hyderabad and India.

Yet, over time, Dubai grew on me. Its vibrant energy, opportunities, and diversity gradually turned my reluctance into admiration. What made Dubai even more special was its proximity to India, allowing me to visit home whenever I needed. I decided to stay, and now, after experiencing almost all the major metropolitan cities across continents, I can't imagine living anywhere else. Dubai has truly become my second home.

How Dubai Became My Home

My Career Path

Zoom Technologies – The Beginning of My Journey

My IT career started at Zoom Technologies, where I took my first step as a Lab Instructor. It was here that I earned my first salary and soon got promoted to Trainer. Teaching was something I naturally excelled at—I delivered sessions to batches of 20-30 working professionals, making complex topics easy to understand. Despite not having graduated at that time, my credentials as an MCSE gave me the confidence to teach effectively.

However, my exposure was limited to classroom training, and my curiosity pushed me to gain real-world, hands-on experience. That’s when I decided to step out of the classroom and explore a technical support role, leading me to my next opportunity.

RAS Infotech - Stepping into IT Support

After moving to Dubai with Zoom Technologies, I continued my role as a trainer for six months. However, I soon realized that I wanted more than just teaching—I craved real-world, hands-on experience in IT Support. This led me to make a bold decision: I quit my role at Zoom Technologies to dive deeper into the industry.

That’s when I joined RAS Infotech as a Tech Support Engineer, marking the true beginning of my journey in IT operations. I was the first technical support engineer at RAS, which brought both exciting challenges and immense learning opportunities. Over time, I transitioned into the role of Consultant – Enterprise Solutions, where I focused on:
✅ Pre-sales consulting – understanding customer requirements and designing tailored solutions.
✅ Proof of Concept (POC) execution – demonstrating product feasibility and value.
✅ After-sales support – ensuring seamless deployment and troubleshooting for customers.

Working with a MEA-region distributor, I got the opportunity to train on NetIQ and Marshal Software in London, UK—my first official overseas trip! After nearly six years in this role, my curiosity struck again. I felt a strong urge to move beyond consulting and into internal IT operations, leading me toward my next big career leap.

FPI (Future Pipe Industries) – Deep Dive into Infrastructure

At FPI, I finally got my hands dirty with servers, storage, and core IT infrastructure. The timing was perfect—FPI was undergoing a massive tech refresh, centralizing its IT infrastructure across multiple manufacturing facilities worldwide.

As the System Administrator, I worked with international partners, suppliers, and end users, visiting Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, Spain, the Netherlands, the USA, Indonesia, and India. After five years of exciting global projects, things started stabilizing, and the role became routine operations. That’s when my interest shifted towards Cybersecurity.

DEWA – Senior Information Security Officer

At DEWA, I started by establishing the Digital Forensics Lab, equipping it with industry-standard tools, and securing the ISO 27037 compliance certification for the identification, collection, acquisition, and preservation of digital evidence. This allowed me to dive deep into Incident Response and Digital Forensics, where I played a key role in handling security incidents and forensic investigations. Additionally, I led the implementation of an EDR solution using Resolution1. Later, I transitioned to the Network Security section, working extensively with various security technologies, including firewalls, IPS, VPN, and RSA SecureID, to strengthen the organization's overall cybersecurity posture.

Moro Hub – Lead IT Security Operations

Today, as a Team Lead – IT Security Operations at Moro Hub, I lead a team of cybersecurity professionals, ensuring the security of critical IT infrastructure. My journey has come full circle, blending my technical expertise with my passion for mentoring and sharing Knowledge.

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors, colleagues, and leaders who guided and supported me:

Zoom Technologies – Grateful to Mr. Noble Mosin, Founder & Owner, for giving me my first career opportunity and trusting me to lead trainings at his first international institute in Dubai Internet City.

RAS Infotech – A big thanks to Mr. Akram Kazi, now CEO, who, as GM, not only hired me but also mentored me into becoming a trusted consultant for major government entities, banks, airlines, hospitals, and enterprises. Kudos to the entire sales and tech support team for their support.

Future Pipe Industries (FPI) – An unforgettable journey where I transitioned from a consultant to System Administrator, working on core infrastructure projects globally. Special thanks to:

○ Mr. Ramon Farooki – A remarkable leader and mentor who treated me like a younger brother.

○ Mr. Khileshwar Kumar – A selfless mentor who exemplified true teamwork and system administration expertise. He was the kind of colleague who never let anyone down—always ready to help, even if you called him in the middle of the night. More importantly, he played a pivotal role in my success as a Systems Administrator—a role that was completely new to me and initially hard to even imagine myself in. His constant support, patience, and willingness to guide me through every challenge made all the difference.

○ Mr. Saif Alwan – A visionary leader and early adopter of Azure Cloud, whose innovative thinking transformed IT at FPI.

DEWA (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority) – Here, I found incredible support from:

o Ms. Sabahat Al Bastaki – A dynamic Emirati leader who led with vision and strength.

o Ms. Reshmi Prabhakan – A colleague at DEWA and now at MoroHub, embodying the same wisdom, dedication, and selflessness as Khileshwar Kumar, always ready to support and fight for the team.

I am truly grateful to all these amazing professionals who shaped my journey and helped me reach where I am today.

Colleagues Who Helped Me Get There