With 10+ years of cross-functional experience in the vast IT field - from network to collaboration, security to operations - I strive to bridge the gap between people and technology.
Through my work, I demonstrate how technology can be used to innovate, optimize and automate, to go beyond the norm and to bring about change. My objective is to bridge the gap between where the business is today and where they plan to go using infrastructure based technologies.
While leading the national network engineering team, I focus on :
- Leading the national network team of 3 engineers.
- Spearheading the network roadmap and strategy: Includes research, scoping and piloting of technologies to align with the business initiatives.
- Advancing security initiatives: Implementation of security technologies and adhering to NIST/SOX compliance policies.
- Budget Management: Oversight of approximately $0.5M CapEx and OpEx expenditure.
- Customer Experience: Using technology to improve the end user experience.
- Process Improvement and Automation: Focus on reducing manual process to improve predictability and scalability.
- Datacenter modernization: Developing and maintaining standards for our Datacenters and IDFs across the offices.
- Mentoring and training colleagues to advance their careers and interests.
Beyond the technical realm, I strive to promote an equitable environment for women through the Women Who Build ERG that I co-founded and co-chair.
Why I do what I do: To champion an environment of confidence and support so that people can achieve their goals.
Watching my mentees grow in the career and take on more advanced projects with an air of confidence is one of my proudest achievements as a lead engineer.
Business Continuity, Resiliency
I plan and strategize Suffolk’s 2-year Network Roadmap to ensure future business requirements are exceeded using advanced technology. I have proposed and completed several projects to ensure our customers can reliably access their data in a timely fashion while keeping costs low. In a more connected world, security is at the forefront of every network project.
Key Achievements
- Enhanced system redundancy by re-architecting the network across offices and jobsites reducing impact of outages.
- 30% OpEx cost savings through the redesign of the WAN MPLS. 33% OpEx savings through consolidation of internet services.
- Designed and implemented new wireless systems to meet our security policy and standards as well as reduced network tickets by over 90%.
- Over 25% reduction of latency when accessing the internet due to design modifications.
- Network Diversity:
- Multiple Remote Access VPN termination points to allow for redundancy in connectivity.
- Different last mile carriers for the offices to allow for ISP redundancy during network outages.
- Reduced time-to-deploy construction sites by 50% allowing faster mobilization by using automated templates and Cisco Defense Orchestration (CDO). This also standardized the configurations across all the jobsites.
- Quality of Service (QoS): Designed, instituted and standardized QoS policies leading to improved delivery of voice and video across the network.
- Developed project plans, datacenter layouts and migration plans, and lead the improvement of the datacenter:
- Improved rack layout with grouping of similar zoned devices to allow for better cable management
- Reduced time to troubleshoot cabling issues and run new cables.
Cloud First Approach
Adoption of a cloud-first strategy to improve scalability of Suffolk’s construction application while providing greater redundancy and security.
Key Achievements:
- Design and implement network design to allow connectivity between Azure, AWS and private cloud. Oversee and support Azure/AWS network.
Security based advancements
In a more connected world, security is at the forefront of every network project.
Key Achievements:
- Promote SOX and/or NIST based compliance policies across the network environment.
- DMZ architecture, design and implementation to ensure segregation of traffic based on network access to maximize security and minimize risk at offices and jobsites.
- Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
- Centralized authentication, authorization and accounting of RADIUS and TACACS functions.
- Multi-Factor authentication for Remote Access VPN to boost security
- BYOD and MAC-based authentication for advanced network segregation.
- Cisco Umbrella (Open DNS)
- Augmented DNS Security by implementing Cisco Umbrella across the enterprise.
- IPS/IDS - Cisco Firepower
- Strategized and implemented IPS/IDS at offices to improve the company's security posture.
- Okta administration and deployment of apps
- Azure networking administration and oversight.
Collaboration - Voice and Video
Microsoft Teams: https://customers.microsoft.com/en-us/story/844029-suffolk-professional-services-teams
An innovative collaboration platform is key to digitize a geographically separated workforce like Suffolk. With the adoption of Teams, engagement between users at the jobsites and office increased significantly leading to faster decision making
Key Achievements:
- Delivered an advanced and collaborative environment by deploying Microsoft Teams across the enterprise.
- Implementation included organization change management strategy, partnering with key stakeholders to drive adoption as well as creation and delivery of training sessions.
- Achieved seamless transition and over 100% adoption well before projected timelines.
Monitoring and Alerting Strategy
Key Achievements:
- Solarwinds:
- Developed and championed a cloud-based monitoring strategy involving the use of Solarwinds in Azure for node management and alerting
- Proactive troubleshooting: Utilization based issues using Netflow Analyzer (NTA), SLA breaches using VNQM
- SOX based security compliance using Network Configuration Management (NCM)
- Implemented backup strategy using NCM
Enhancement focused projects:
Key Achievements:
- Process improvement (using ITIL as a guideline):
Process mapping and optimization allows for scalability, reliability and predictability as well as a more persistent outcome
- Ensured standardization of workflow and site setup by developing and implementing processes in Service Now for equipment order and delivery.
- Integration of diagnostic tools (Service Now and Solarwinds) resulting in automated priority-based work order creation resulting in compliance to performance metrics.
- Designed a Help-Desk focused dashboard in Solarwinds to enhance NOC-based monitoring and reporting
- Central management (Cisco Defense Orchestrator) for all Cisco firewalls to allow for easier management, deployment and standardization of configurations.
- Organized and championed efforts to improve the documentation repository as well as enforce standards around Statement of Procedures (SOP).
Women Who Build - Employee Resource Group
- Summer Movie Social https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6591022245131411456/
Launch of the ERG with a special screening of Brene' Brown's Call to Courage followed by a panel discussion focused on women in construction.
Over 95% attendance. - Clothing Drive
Collected and donated over 600 articles of business formal clothing and USD 3500 to Dress for Success.
"Dress for Success is a global not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life." - Hosting STEM High School Students:
- Hosted a group of 20 STEM high school students in the Innovation Lab at Suffolk Construction headquarters.
- Introduced different facets of technology including how technology supports the construction industry.
- Enlightened the students around cybersecurity and how to protect themselves on the internet.
- Educated them on different career paths in IT. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kaitlin-santosuosso-9541248_eplus-grit-girlshavegrit-activity-6626159092912185346-gDlB
The blog
Throughout my career - at Nokia and Suffolk - I have enjoyed working with people mentoring and training them. I've organized several lunch and learns , training sessions and labs.
This blog is an extension - a place where I discuss my own career progression in hopes that it might help others grow in their own spaces.
While teaching is a passion, I also enjoy learning and always look to apply new technologies or ideas.
Bio
As a Resident Network (Design) Engineer at Nokia (previously Alcatel-Lucent), I had influence over decisions after the sales was made. I worked to develop network design for the customer while making sure their requirements were met or exceeded.
This led me to wonder: What influenced the customer to make the purchase decisions? What are their business requirements.
I wanted to influence these purchasing decision, have conversations with the business users to understand how we could enhance their functions using technology. That led me to Suffolk.
As a Senior Network Engineer at Suffolk Construction, my focus is on enhancing the network to meet the future needs of the business. I am responsible for the architecture and design of Suffolk’s network as well as the development of roadmaps and budgets.
Outside of my current role, I work with different functions like collaboration and operations to undertake projects focused on improving customer experience.
I hold a Masters in Telecommunication Engineering Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Bachelors of Electronics and Telecommunications from the University of Mumbai.
Beyond IT, I have championed and co-founded the Women Who Build Employee Resource Group at Suffolk whose vision is to encourage and promote an equitable culture structured for women by developing, progressing, and retaining women at all stages in their career.