Manoj M

About Manoj M

Network Security Engineer with 6 years of experience designing, securing, and operating enterprise, cloud, and hybrid infrastructures across large-scale global environments. Proven expertise in building Zero Trust security architectures, securing multi-cloud workloads, and delivering highly available, compliant, and scalable networks.I specialize in next-generation firewall platforms including Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco Secure Firewall (FTD), Juniper SRX, and Check Point, with deep hands-on experience designing perimeter, internal segmentation, and cloud security controls. I have architected and operated Palo Alto VM-Series firewalls in AWS and Azure, implemented Fortinet ZTNA with FortiClient EMS and FortiEDR, and deployed Cisco Umbrella, Zscaler, Cisco ISE, and Forescout for identity-driven access control and DNS-layer protection.My background spans SD-WAN and WAN engineering using Cisco Viptela, Palo Alto SD-WAN, MPLS, broadband, IPsec VPNs, GRE tunnels, and ExpressRoute. I’ve designed high-availability routing with BGP and OSPF, built secure hybrid connectivity between on-prem data centers and cloud, and deployed Cisco ACI fabrics for resilient, scalable data center networking.I bring strong automation and DevNet skills using Python, Ansible, Terraform, and APIs to streamline firewall operations, packet broker workflows, compliance validation, and CI/CD integrations. I’ve built enterprise visibility fabrics using Gigamon and Arista, integrating TAP/SPAN traffic with IDS/IPS, SIEM, and threat detection platforms.I’m known for owning major incident response, leading Root Cause Analysis (RCA), reducing MTTR through automation and SOPs, and serving as a senior escalation engineer across security, cloud, WAN, and data center domains. I thrive in highly regulated environments and partner closely with DevOps, Security, and IT teams to deliver secure, resilient, and business-aligned network solutions.Passionate about building Zero Trust networks, securing cloud-native workloads, and continuously evolving enterprise security architectures.

Experience

1. Network Security Engineer

   Charter Communications

   Feb 2025 — Present · Charlotte, NC, US

   As a Network Security Engineer, I specialize in deploying and securing enterprise networks, leveraging top-tier firewall technologies and SD-WAN solutions to optimize performance, security, and scalability. I have extensive experience working with Palo Alto (PA-7050, PA-5280) and FortiGate (100E, 500E) firewalls, integrating them with third-party SIEM tools for centralized logging, threat detection, and compliance. I’ve successfully deployed Palo Alto VM-Series in AWS and Azure, ensuring secure cloud environments and integrating with native cloud security tools for enhanced visibility.My expertise also spans Cisco FTD and Juniper SRX firewalls, Viptela SD-WAN, and Cisco ACI, where I’ve optimized network architectures to enhance data center efficiency and secure, scalable connectivity across hybrid infrastructures. I’ve automated network management tasks using Python, Ansible, and Terraform, significantly improving operational efficiency and reducing manual tasks.I have a strong track record of implementing Zero Trust policies and leveraging Zscaler for secure, identity-aware access. My experience with F5 GTM integrated with AWS Route 53 ensures seamless hybrid cloud connectivity and reliable application failover. Additionally, I’ve worked with Arista and Gigamon packet brokers for comprehensive network visibility and proactive threat detection.I collaborate closely with DevOps and security teams, integrating network infrastructure into CI/CD pipelines, and have consistently ensured network security, compliance, and high availability, reducing unauthorized access by 30%. I’m adept at troubleshooting complex issues and acting as a Level 2 escalation engineer, ensuring minimal downtime and continuous network performance optimization.

Education

• Florida Institute of Technology

  Masters, Computer/Information Technology

  2024

• Saveetha Engineering College

  Bachelor of Engineering - BE, Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering

  2020