azureninjas

Cloud & DevOps Transformation Engineer is on watch

Sanjeev Rana

Azure Security Ninja, Azure DevOps Engineer, Cloud & DevOps Transformation, AI Engineer

Cloud transformation leader with 10+ years helping organisations modernise. I migrate, harden and automate Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 estates for managed-service clients — landing zones, Sentinel and Defender, infrastructure as code, and AI-powered automation.

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SOC-01 / operator feedIST · UTC+5:30
Sanjeev Rana in a hooded ninja outfit with an Azure mask, at a desk surrounded by security dashboards
Hunting queryMicrosoft Sentinel
Name
Sanjeev Rana
Role
DevOps Team Lead · Farenexus
Base
SAS Nagar, Punjab
ActiveSince
2008

1 record · completed

Skills

Five disciplines, one job: keep cloud estates fast, compliant and hard to break into.

Cloud security & SecOps

  • Microsoft Sentinel
  • Defender for Cloud
  • Defender for Identity
  • Entra ID
  • Azure Firewall
  • Azure Policy
  • Purview
  • Building Sentinel workspaces, data connectors, analytics rules and hunting queries in KQL
  • Hardening subscriptions with Defender for Cloud, Azure Policy and secure-score remediation
  • Identity protection with Entra ID Conditional Access, PIM and Defender for Identity
  • Information protection and compliance controls across Microsoft 365 with Purview
  • Azure Security Center implementation for threat detection and response. Designing secure network architectures and implementing identity and access management

Experience

From racking servers in 2008 to leading a cloud operations team today.

  1. Jan 2022 – PresentMohali, India

    DevOps Team Lead

    Farenexus Solutions

    Team Lead since Jan 2025 · Sr. DevOps Engineer 2022–2024

    • Leading a team of 5 engineers running Azure and Microsoft 365 managed services for client environments
    • Led the architecture and deployment of Azure cloud solutions for diverse clients, optimizing resource allocation and ensuring high availability
    • Designed and implemented Azure Virtual Desktop solutions, enhancing remote workforce productivity and flexibility
    • Created and managed Azure Landing Zones for clients, providing a secure and compliant foundation for their Azure workloads
  2. May 2018 – Dec 2021Regent Street, London

    DevOps Engineer

    Tmotions Global
    • Created and maintained continuous build and continuous integration environments in SCRUM and Agile projects
    • Managed and coordinated the day-to-day planning, design and implementation of cloud services, infrastructure automation and server deployments
    • Set up Amazon EC2 instances and security groups and databases in AWS using S3 bucket and configured instance backups to S3 bucket, later migrated applications to AWS Cloud, created new accounts, roles and groups using IAM. Maintained DNS records using Route53, gave public DNS names to Elastic Load Balancers (ELB) IP's
    • Assisted to stage the development environment from on-premises to AWS cloud-based infrastructure using Cloud formation templates (CFT) to provision infrastructure as a code
  3. July 2016 – May 2018Santa Clara, USA
    • Prepared the environment for deployment of Windows Server 2003/2008/2016
    • System Administration and Operating Systems, VMWare Administration, Systems Hardware (PowerEdge Servers), Enterprise Level Systems infrastructure
    • Working on Datacenter Operations i.e. network technologies, industry standards and audit requirements
    • Configured automatic updates for network clients by using Group Policy
  4. Oct 2011 – June 2016Newark, USA

    Sr. Network Engineer

    NVISH
    • Resolved the issues involved with administering and maintaining corporate infrastructure, including network connectivity, Internet access, email, etc. Excellent understanding of the issues involved in administering and maintaining corporate LAN
    • Installation & Configuration of ACTIVE DIRECTORY SERVICES. Configuration & Maintaining Microsoft windows server 2003, server 2008 and server 2012 network Infrastructure
    • Installation and configuration of VMWARE, Citrix Xen and Oracle VM servers and to yield the various Operating Systems instances on them. Managing ESXi, and vSphere environments with VCenter Management. Creation of Templates from VMs and Creation of VMs from templates
    • Install & Configure Google Apps, Microsoft Outlook, OWA & Server monitoring
  5. Dec 2008 – Oct 2011Mohali, India
    • Managed Active directory, DNS and DHCP Servers
    • Managed server 2003, 2008 & client OS Win XP, Win 7
    • Worked with AD for managing the authentication between different organizations
    • Managed user accounts, groups and controlling access rights using Active Directory

Honours and awards

  • Employee of the Month

    Farenexus, October 2022

    Excellent team player and always enthusiastic with a solution oriented approach

  • Supporting Role

    Tmotions, March 2020 – April 2021

    Best Supporting Role Awardee Amidst Covid-19 Challenges for DevOps Excellence and Team Leadership

  • Employee of the Month

    NVISH, Oct 2011 – June 2016

    I'm pleased to share that throughout my career, I've had the privilege of receiving numerous cash prizes rupees 5000 on multiple occasions. These prizes have been a testament to my dedication and hard work.

  • Excellence

    Competent, Dec 2008 – Dec 2009

    Honored as the recipient of the Best Exemplary Performance award for my outstanding contributions among our team of 50 members

Certifications

24 credentials, each linked to its verification page.

Training

The path so far: formal study, and the learning that never stopped.

Continuous learning

Microsoft Learning

Microsoft Corporation, Jan 2021 – Present

I'm excited to embark on a journey of continuous learning with Microsoft, exploring their comprehensive resources to deepen my understanding of both Microsoft technologies and DevOps practices. Engaging with Microsoft Learning is key to my goal of mastering not only Microsoft technologies but also adopting DevOps principles to streamline development processes. As I dive into Microsoft Learning, I'm eager to integrate DevOps methodologies into my skill set, ensuring seamless collaboration between development and operations teams while leveraging Microsoft's tools and best practices.

Lifelong Learning

CertiProf, April 2026 – Present

I am honored to receive this badge, which acknowledges my steadfast commitment to lifelong learning. In our ever-changing digital world, this recognition highlights my qualities of an open, disciplined mind, constantly evolving to navigate and contribute to the expanding landscape of knowledge. I am dedicated to using and sharing my expertise to contribute to a more equal and better world. Thank you for this meaningful recognition.

ISC2 Candidate

ISC, Dec 2023 – Dec 2024

I've just been awarded the Cybersecurity Certification badge! 🎉 This recognition marks a significant milestone in my journey towards mastering cybersecurity practices.

Education

JCHNP

Jetking, 2001-2005

  • Installation and Configuration of Windows and Linux Operating system. System Drivers. Device Management
  • Building and Configuring Computer Systems. Setting up Local Area Networks. Network Configuration and Troubleshooting Exercises. Diagnosing Hardware and Network Issues
  • System Optimization and Performance Tuning. Backup and Recovery Procedures
  • Wi-Fi Standards. Wireless Security (WPA, WPA2). Wireless Access Points (APs) and Routers
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS)
  • Introduction to Networking. Types of Networks (LAN, WAN, MAN). Networking Protocols (TCP/IP). Network Devices (Routers, Switches, Hubs). Subnetting and IP Addressing
  • MCSE in 2003
  • CCNA coaching and practical work

Contact

Need a landing zone built, a SOC tuned or an estate moved to Azure without downtime? I lead a team that does this every day for managed-service clients. Send a message and I'll get back to you.

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