Muhammed Zanhal

IT Support Engineer in Dubai | UAE

ABOUT

Muhammed Zanhal
IT Support Engineer in Dubai

Professional Summary

Muhammed Zanhal is an IT Support Engineer based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Currently working at Crystal Gallery with professional experience across IT infrastructure, systems administration, networking, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, Active Directory, technical support, VoIP, surveillance systems, access control, and IT automation.

His expertise covers comprehensive infrastructure, where he implement security protocols across multi-vendor devices like Fortinet, Cisco Meraki, and Ubiquiti UniFi. he actively configure networking gear (routers/WiFi) and manage essential VoIP communication and physical security/surveillance systems.

1+

year

Gained hands-on UAE experience supporting IT operations.

100+

Users

Supported daily IT operations and resolved issues across all users.

80/ 40/ 20/ 6

Systems

Managed 80+ endpoints, 40+ IP phones, 20+ printers, and 6+ CNC & Automated Production Systems efficiently.

13

Web Projects

Designed & developed 10+ websites to clients.

Expertise
Core Systems, Security
and Support
Infrastructure Management
Infrastructure Management
Hardware & Software Support
Hardware & Software Support
VoIP Systems
VoIP Systems
CCTV Configuration & Troubleshooting
CCTV Configuration & Troubleshooting
Access Control Systems
Access Control Systems
Networking Systems
Networking Systems
Infrastructure Management
Infrastructure Management
Hardware & Software Support
Hardware & Software Support
VoIP Systems
VoIP Systems
CCTV Configuration & Troubleshooting
CCTV Configuration & Troubleshooting
Access Control Systems
Access Control Systems
Networking Systems
Networking Systems
Infrastructure Management
Infrastructure Management
Hardware & Software Support
Hardware & Software Support
VoIP Systems
VoIP Systems
CCTV Configuration & Troubleshooting
CCTV Configuration & Troubleshooting
Access Control Systems
Access Control Systems
Networking Systems
Networking Systems
Skills
What I Use to Get
Things Done
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System Administration & Automation

Active Directory Office 365 Windows Linux Android iOS Server Group Policy
icon

Networking & Security

Cybersecurity Firewall Management Internet Security Network Security ESET Wi-Fi
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Troubleshooting & Support

Printer Configuration & Troubleshooting Hardware & Software Support Technical Support
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VoIP & Physical Security

IP telephone Voice over IP (VoIP) Surveillance Grandstream Call Routing IVR Systems
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Web Design & Development

HTML5 CSS3 Bootstrap JavaScript jQuery Responsive Web Design AJAX

IT Projects & Case Studies

Infrastructure & Resilience:
Technical Work Showcase

Resolving Persistent Account Lockout Cycles

lock
Goal: Stop a recurring ghost lockout cycle for a high-priority user.
1.The Problem

User account locked out every 10 minutes despite multiple password resets. Standard troubleshooting wasn't identifying the source.

2.The Fix (Audited Active Directory Event Logs (ID 4740) to track the source IP)

Identified ghost credentials stored in an old mobile mail profile and a cached background service.

Flushed Windows Credential Manager and re-authenticated all associated devices.

3.The Result

100% resolution. Eliminated recurring support tickets and improved user productivity.

Automated System Health Monitoring via PowerShell

automation
Goal: Develop a custom automation tool to monitor workstation health and provide proactive alerts to the IT department.
1.The Problem

Manually checking the health of 80+ workstations was time-consuming and led to "reactive" IT support (fixing things only after they broke). There was a need for a centralized, automated way to track system performance, disk health, and critical service status.

2.The Fix (Engineered a custom PowerShell automation script that executes on a scheduled task)

Data Collection: The script captures real-time metrics including CPU/RAM load, GPU status, System Uptime, and Disk I/O.

Smart Logic: Implemented conditional formatting to flag "CRITICAL" status (e.g., low disk space on C: drive) and monitor the health of essential services like the Print Spooler and DNS Client.

Automated Reporting: Integrated an SMTP mailer function to send a formatted HTML report directly to the IT dashboard, including a network latency Ping Check.

3.The Result

90% Reduction in Manual Inspections. The IT team now receives instant notification of hardware or service failures, allowing for intervention before the user experiences downtime.

BitLocker & Disk Encryption Compliance Automation

bitlocker-automation
Goal: Automate disk encryption compliance checks and provide proactive alerts to ensure endpoint security across workstations.
1.The Problem

Verifying BitLocker encryption status across multiple endpoints required manual checks and lacked centralized visibility. This increased the risk of non-compliant systems remaining undetected, potentially exposing sensitive data.

2.The Fix (Engineered a custom PowerShell compliance audit script)

Encryption Status Audit: The script scans all fixed drives and validates BitLocker protection status, encryption state, and encryption percentage.

Compliance Logic: Automatically flags systems as NON-COMPLIANT if BitLocker protection is disabled or encryption is incomplete.

Automated Reporting: Generates a structured CSV report and sends a formatted HTML email alert to the IT team when non-compliant drives are detected.

3.The Result

Improved Security Posture. Enabled proactive identification of unencrypted or partially encrypted drives, reduced manual audits, and ensured consistent enforcement of disk encryption policies across endpoints.

Critical Server Hardware Recovery

server
Goal: Restore the primary company portal after a sudden hardware failure.
1.The Problem

The company portal went offline. Physical inspection in the server room revealed a motherboard warning light and a failure to POST (Power-On Self-Test). The server was completely unresponsive to manual boot attempts and monitor output.

2.The Fix (Performed a hardware diagnostic to isolate the faulty component)

Identified the root cause as a depleted CR2032 CMOS battery, which had corrupted the BIOS settings and halted the boot sequence.

Performed a battery replacement and cleared the CMOS to restore default BIOS configurations.

3.The Result

Rapid Service Restoration. Successfully brought the portal back online without the cost or delay of a motherboard replacement. This saved the company significant hardware expenditure and minimized business disruption.

Engineering a Custom OneDrive Cloud Sync Solution

onedrive
Goal: Enable automatic cloud backup for non-standard local drive locations to ensure 100% data redundancy.
1.The Problem

The standard Microsoft OneDrive client is limited to syncing specific user profile folders (Desktop, Documents, etc.). Important project data was stored on a secondary local drive (D: / E:), which was not being backed up to the cloud. This created a high risk of data loss if the local hardware failed.

2.The Fix (Developed a custom PowerShell script to bridge the gap between custom local directories and the OneDrive synchronization engine)

Utilized Robocopy logic to ensure that files modified in the custom location were instantly recognized by the OneDrive client.

Implemented an automated trigger (Scheduled Task) to verify sync status and handle file-locking conflicts.

3.The Result

Automated Data Protection. Successfully secured critical project files without forcing users to change their workflow or move their data. This provided the company with a $0 cost backup solution for local drives using existing Office 365 storage.

Automated Microsoft 365 Mailbox Usage Monitoring

automation
Goal: Create an automated tool to monitor mailbox storage usage across all users in Microsoft 365 and generate centralized reports for the IT team.
1.The Problem

Manually checking mailbox usage for dozens or hundreds of users was time-consuming and prone to errors. There was no simple way to see which mailboxes were nearing quota limits or to plan storage proactively.

2.The Fix (Engineered a custom Exchange Online PowerShell script)

Data Collection: The script connects to Exchange Online and retrieves mailbox size, quota, and usage percentage for all users.

Processing Logic: Calculates used space and usage percentage, identifies mailboxes approaching storage limits, and formats the results in a clean table.

Automated Reporting: Generates a CSV report with Display Name, Email Address, Used Space (GB), Total Space (GB), and Percentage Used. Can be emailed to the IT team for quick review.

3.The Result

Proactive Mailbox Management: IT can now identify mailboxes nearing quota limits and act before users experience delivery issues. Eliminated manual checks and saved significant administrative time.

FAQ

Frequently Asked
Questions

Who is Muhammed Zanhal?
Muhammed Zanhal is an IT Support Engineer based in Dubai, UAE, with 1+ year UAE experience in IT infrastructure, systems administration, networking, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, Active Directory, VoIP, surveillance systems, and technical support. He also has experience in web development and digital solutions for businesses.
Where does he currently work?
He currently works as an IT Support Engineer at Crystal Gallery in Dubai, UAE.
What is his professional background?
His background combines IT support, systems administration, networking, cybersecurity, and web development. His IT experience includes supporting business users and managing infrastructure, while his web development experience includes creating websites and digital solutions for businesses.
What are his main IT skills?
His IT skills include Active Directory, Microsoft 365, Windows administration, network troubleshooting, Fortinet, Cisco Meraki, Grandstream VoIP, Hikvision CCTV, ZKTeco biometric access control, IT infrastructure support, cybersecurity fundamentals, and PowerShell automation.
Does he accept freelance projects?
Yes. Alongside his professional IT career, he accepts selected freelance web development, software development, branding, and digital projects.
What digital services are available?
His services include custom website development, e-commerce development, logo design, company brochure design, CRM software development, custom software development, Android app development, desktop application development, and other tailored digital solutions.
How can I hire him for a project?
For web development, software development, branding, or other digital projects, he can be contacted through email - contact@zanhal.com

Work Experience

Where I Made Things
Happen

Maintained and configured 80+ desktops, laptops, 20+ printers, Access points, routers, and switches; managed Office 365, Active Directory, user provisioning, policies, access control, license management, email configuration, and endpoint security for 100+ users.

Managed & Maintained Fortinet, Cisco Meraki, D-Link, Linksys, TP-Link, and Ubiquiti UniFi devices, including firewall rules, VPNs, intrusion prevention, and multi-site connectivity

Deployed Hikvision CCTV with DVR/NVR setups and biometric systems, managed user enrollment, log extraction, and HR/payroll integration.

Configured & managed 40+ Grandstream IP Phones with SIP trunking, call routing, PABX integration, and QoS optimization.

Administered backend systems using Java, implementing features, enhancing performance, and improving security.

Implemented daily & scheduled backups, restoration testing, and recovery plans to ensure business continuity.

Provided proactive troubleshooting, system diagnostics, continuous monitoring, and support for Graphics plotter, Vitro laser machines & Waterjet machines.

Handled complete user lifecycle including system preparation, account creation, IP phone setup, access card issuance, and biometric registration.

Resolved complex technical issues and provided end-to-end troubleshooting for web-based systems, ensuring 99.9% uptime and seamless user experiences for diverse clients.

Managed hosting environments, DNS configurations, and SSL deployments, streamlining site security and performance while providing technical guidance on infrastructure best practices.

Acted as a primary technical point of contact, translating complex technical requirements into actionable solutions and providing ongoing maintenance and documentation for digital assets.

Optimized internal web tools for speed, reliability, and caching.

Coordinated with teams to implement IT solutions and deploy updates.

Maintained website to enhance the organization's online presence.

Ensured user experience quality and smooth back-end functionality.

Collaborated with team to deploy new features, improving engagement on the website.

Led end-to-end software development, handling frontend and backend using modern web technologies.

Designed robust server-side logic and SQL database structures for scalable applications.

Delivered tested, efficient, and maintainable code under tight project timelines.

Education & Certifications

The Learning That Made Me Who I Am

Fortinet Certified Fundamentals in Cybersecurity

Fortinet

2026

AWS Online Conference Certification

Amazon Web Services

2023

Microsoft Office

Coursera

2023

Bachelor of Computer Applications

MCCHET, Pondicherry University

2022

HSC Computer Science

Kerala Board of Public Examinations

2019

Web Projects

Websites I’ve Designed and
Built Along the Way

Secure Sync Innovations homepage
Secure Sync Innovations

Developed a home automation company website presenting CCTV, automatic gates, video door phones.

View Project
MyhomesBuilders homepage
MyHomes Builders

Developed a construction website, showcasing their residential construction services, projects.

View Project
facilityzone homepage
Facility Zone

Developed a Facility management company website presenting Technial AMC, Support & Hygiene services.

View Project
View More