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Certified Cybersecurity & GRC Specialist for IT & OT/ICS Environments Building a company is hard enough — security and compliance shouldn’t slow you down. 🚀I help industrial operators, critical infrastructure providers, and high-growth technology companies secure their environments and meet regulatory requirements — without slowing down operations or product delivery. With a decade of experience spanning both IT and OT domains, including a background at Siemens and IEC 62443 Certified Expert credentials, I bring rare cross-domain depth: I understand SCADA, PLCs, and industrial protocols as well as I understand ISMS frameworks, cloud security, and compliance audits. - Governance, Risk & Compliance ISO 27001 ISMS design, implementation, and certification support SOC 2, GDPR, NIS2, and HIPAA readiness Risk assessments, gap analysis, and internal audits Security policies and procedures built for operational reality, not shelfware Security questionnaire and vendor assessment management (RFPs, enterprise due diligence) - OT / ICS / SCADA Security IEC 62443-aligned security programs for industrial control environments Purdue Model network architecture review and segmentation design OT asset inventory, network traffic analysis, and vulnerability assessment SCADA/HMI access control and configuration review OT/IT convergence risk assessments and gap analysis Vendor and protocol-specific security reviews (DNP3, Modbus, SNMP, and others) Security roadmaps tailored to plant, utility, and energy environments Cloud & Application Security AWS, Azure, and GCP security configuration and hardening Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing (VAPT) Practical remediation planning that prioritizes business-critical risk Why Work With Me Most consultants specialize in IT compliance or OT security — rarely both. I bridge that gap, which matters increasingly as industrial environments converge with cloud and enterprise IT. Clients get a single point of accountability across their full risk surface, from the plant floor to the cloud.🏆 What I Do for You ✔️Implement ISO 27001-compliant Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) ✔️Prepare you for SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, and other regulatory requirements ✔️Conduct risk assessments, gap analysis, and internal audits ✔️Develop practical, startup-friendly security policies and procedures ✔️Handle security questionnaires (RFPs, enterprise clients, vendor assessments) ✔️Secure cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) ✔️Perform Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing (VAPT) ✔️Identify, prioritize, and fix security gaps without slowing your team ✔️Designed for High-Growth Companies 👨‍💼I understand the challenges of scaling businesses: - Limited time and resources - Pressure to close enterprise deals - Increasing compliance demands - Need for fast, practical security solutions 🔐 That’s why I focus on lightweight, scalable, and business-aligned security programs — not unnecessary complexity. 🛠 TECH STACK Governance: Vanta, Drata, Sprinto, Secureframe. Cloud: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud (GCP). 📊 SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE FRAMWORKS SOC 2 | ISO 27001 | ISO 27017 | ISO 27018 | ISO 42001 | NIST 800-53 | NIST 800-171 | NIST CSF | NIST AI RMF | FedRAMP | CMMC | CMMI | PCI-DSS | HIPAA | HITRUST CSF | GDPR | TISAX | NERC | FFIEC | C5 | ENISA | CIS CSAT | IRAP | PIPEDA | TX-RAMP | StateRAMP | AZ-RAMP | NY DFS 23 NYCRR Part 500 | EU AI Act HOW I WORK Think of me as your outsourced security partner. You build, sell, and grow your business — I handle your security, compliance, and risk management end-to-end. No jargon. No over-engineering. Just practical security that helps you move faster and win trust. 𝗜𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗲. 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝟲𝟬-𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹. 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱.

Stop letting compliance block your enterprise sales deals. You have built a great product, but your biggest prospects enterprises, healthcare providers, and banks won't sign the contract until they see your ISO 27001 certificate or SOC 2 Type II report. You don't need a checklist or a template library. You need a strategic partner who can fast-track your audit readiness so you can focus on closing deals. I am a Fractional CISO and Lead Auditor specializing in turning compliance into a competitive advantage for high-growth startups and established enterprises. I don't just "write policies"; I architect the security infrastructure that builds trust with your customers. 🚀 THE "AUDIT-READY" BLUEPRINT I integrate seamlessly with your team (Slack/Teams) to deliver: SOC 2 & ISO 27001 Readiness: From Gap Analysis to Final Audit in 12-16 weeks. Automated Compliance (Vanta/Drata): I configure your Vanta, Drata, or Secureframe instance to automate 80% of evidence collection, saving your engineers hundreds of hours. AI Governance (ISO 42001): Future-proof your AI products against the EU AI Act and NIST AI RMF. Vendor Risk Management: I handle those 100-question security questionnaires from your clients so you don't have to. 🏆 WHY CLIENTS HIRE ME 100% Audit Pass Rate: I have guided 50+ companies through successful external audits. Commercial Focus: I prioritize controls that unblock revenue without slowing down your dev team. Certified Expert: Lead Auditor for ISO 9001, 27001, 14001, 45001. 🛠 TECH STACK Governance: Vanta, Drata, Sprinto, Secureframe. Cloud: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud (GCP). Frameworks: ISO 27001:2022, SOC 2 Type I & II, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 42001 (AI). 🗣 WHAT CLIENTS SAY "Heena didn't just get us certified; she helped us close a $2M deal with a Fortune 500 bank by handling the security diligence personally." — CEO, FinTech Series B Next Step: If you have an audit deadline approaching or a sales deal stuck in security review, click the "Invite" button. Let's get you audit-ready.

I’m a Fractional CIO/CISO with over 20 years of progressive IT leadership experience. My career began with deep technical roots in IT infrastructure and networking, evolving over the last 7+ years into full executive responsibility leading technology strategy, cybersecurity, and digital transformation for FDA-regulated biopharmaceutical organizations. I specialize in helping companies bridge technical execution with business outcomes by building secure, scalable IT foundations while maintaining strict regulatory compliance. Key areas where I help clients: - Fractional CIO/CISO support - IT strategy and digital transformation roadmaps - Cybersecurity program development and ransomware resilience - Regulatory compliance (FDA, HIPAA, NIST, GxP) - IT governance, risk management, and data protection - Greenfield infrastructure architecture and secure platform buildouts - SaaS evaluation and technology vendor optimization Recent highlights: - Built the complete technology ecosystem and NIST-based security architecture for a PE-backed biopharmaceutical startup preparing for national market launch - As Division CIO at a global $3b+ organization, scaled IT operations across 180+ sites while managing a $35M P&L and leading a 45-person team - Engineered ransomware recovery for 150+ locations with zero data loss in 7 days I bring a unique combination of hands-on technical expertise, strategic vision, and operational discipline developed through military service (USMC) and leading technology in highly regulated environments. Whether you need a targeted security/compliance assessment, IT strategy support, or ongoing fractional leadership, I deliver practical solutions focused on real business results. Let’s schedule a consultation to discuss your specific challenges.

Trusted Advisor 🥇 🚀 Get Audit-Ready in 6 Weeks — Guaranteed. Confused by compliance? I translate complex regulations into simple, actionable steps. Whether you need to win enterprise trust with ISO 27001 or unblock sales with a SOC 2 report, I provide the fastest, most cost-effective path to certification. Why hire a consultant when you can hire a Strategic Partner? As the Founder of Axipro, I’ve led over 100 successful certifications in the last year alone. We don't just "give advice"—we handle the heavy lifting. 🛠 THE GRC TOOL EXPERT Are you struggling with your automated GRC platform? I am an official partner and power user of: ✅ Drata (Gold Partner) ✅ Vanta (Expert Implementation) ✅ Secureframe, Thoropass, Sprinto, Scrut, & more. I can help you get your progress running in record time and even provide discounted subscription rates through our MSSP partnership. 🛡 ONE-STOP COMPLIANCE SHOP - Policies & Procedures: Custom-tailored, audit-ready documentation. - Risk Management: Deep-dive assessments that protect your business. - Security Questionnaires: Get them off your desk and submitted in hours, not weeks. - Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testings: Remediation recommendations and detailed reports to improve security posture - CPA Attestation: We have in-house CPAs to sign off on your SOC 2 Type 1 & 2 reports. 🌍 GLOBAL STANDARDS COVERED ISO 27001, 9001, 14001, 45001, 27701, 27017, 27018, 42001 (AI) | SOC 2 Type 1 & 2 | HIPAA | PCI DSS | GDPR | FedRAMP | NIST CSF | CMMC | TISAX | HITRUST | SAMA NCA ⭐ WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING "Ali is a lifesaver. He got us SOC 2 certified through Vanta and saved us months of work." — Founder, Druxia (USA) "Knowledgeable, professional, and incredibly responsive. Ali got us across the line with Drata for ISO 27001." — Founder, Tilt Legal (AUS) 💎 THE AXIPRO ADVANTAGE 10+ Years Experience: Lead Engineer & Auditor minds

I am an accomplished risk management professional with extensive experience managing Third Party risk management (TPRM) from onboarding to offboarding of all vendors, Vendor risk management covering Cyber Security, Data Privacy and Information security, Risk management, Risk assessment, Designing TPRM framework, Third Party, Risk Assurance, Contract Review/Due Diligence, Procurement Governance/Assurance Review, Project Management, Stakeholder management, My expertise spans across designing and implementing comprehensive TPRM frameworks, overseeing risk assessments, and managing vendor-related activities. Core Competencies: a) Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM): I lead and oversee the entire risk assessment and due diligence process for third-party vendors. This includes managing the onboarding processes and checklists to ensure thorough risk evaluations. I design and implement detailed TPRM project plans, outlining tasks, timelines, and milestones to ensure effective risk management. b) Vendor and Contract Management: My role involves handling contract management processes for hardware and software, including new contracts, amendments, and renewals. I coordinate with external vendors, internal stakeholders, and legal teams to ensure timely contract execution and issue resolution. c) Stakeholder Engagement: I engage with key stakeholders from various departments and external vendors to ensure smooth communication and collaboration throughout the risk management process. I manage expectations and provide direction on risk assessments and non-compliance issues. d) Risk Assessment and Audits: I conduct comprehensive risk assessments and audits focusing on people, processes, and technology. My work includes identifying gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement, and providing recommendations for enhancing policies and standards. e) Reporting and Process Improvement: I create regular reports on the status of third-party assessments, highlighting roadblocks and key issues to management and stakeholders. I have successfully implemented process improvements, such as transitioning quarterly scorecard activities from manual processes to Google Forms to minimize errors and enhance efficiency. f) Team Leadership and Development: I lead and develop teams of TPRM specialists and consultants, providing knowledge sharing, training, and motivation. I manage projects, stakeholder presentations, and client relationships to drive successful outcomes.

🗽 U.S. and 🍁 Canada -only clients ☑️ Upwork Expert-Vetted 🌟 | 100% Job Success ✅ | 10,000+ hours 💻 on 200+ projects Hi there! 👋 I’m an Upwork veteran with over 10,000 hours delivered, 200+ successful projects, and $1M+ earned helping U.S. companies secure and scale their cloud and hybrid environments. ☁️ I specialize in Azure, Microsoft 365, and security-focused systems — delivering: • Secure infrastructure using Zero Trust, IaC (Terraform/Bicep), and DevSecOps pipelines • Incident response, forensics, and breach containment across regulated industries • Compliance-ready solutions aligned to SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and NIST 800-53 As a certified consultant, I work directly with technical teams to deliver secure cloud transformation, implement controls, and respond to threats — fast. I also collaborate with Microsoft’s internal dev teams, giving me early-access insights and practical fixes 3–4 release cycles ahead of public rollout. Why Choose Me? ✅ $1M+ in security projects delivered across healthcare, fintech, crypto, and gov sectors 🔐 Architected Azure landing zones, GitOps pipelines, and zero trust cloud environments 🚨 Led incident response and forensic investigations for Fortune 500 and defense clients 📊 Built compliance workflows and policy-as-code enforcement for audit success 🪙 Secured crypto CI/CD pipelines and smart contract environments with GitHub, Checkov, GHAS 🧠 Career Highlights: ▪ Delivered security modernization and audit readiness for global government contractors and Fortune 500 companies ▪ Led compliance remediation and data protection initiatives across healthcare, fintech, and public sector clients ▪ Migrated global users to Microsoft 365 with security-first design — Exchange, Purview, Intune, Defender ▪ Built hybrid identity strategies (Entra ID, ADFS, GoDaddy 365, Azure AD B2C, custom policy support) ▪ Managed VMware-to-Azure hardening with conditional access, audit enforcement, and security baselines 🔧 Solutions I Deliver: • Azure Infra Security: Terraform, Bicep, Azure Policy, RBAC, Defender for Cloud • DevSecOps: GitHub Actions, tfsec, Checkov, Trivy, GHAS, pipeline reviews • Microsoft 365 Hardening: Defender, Purview, Compliance Center, Intune, Exchange • Compliance & Audits: SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, NIST, CIS Benchmarks • Incident Response & Forensics: Malware analysis, reverse engineering, breach recovery • Crypto Security: CI/CD for smart contracts, wallet infra hardening, Web3 audits • Reverse-engineered malware to identify attack vectors and harden systems post-breach • Hardened Microsoft Exchange Online and Defender for Email in phishing-prone orgs • Integrated Azure Sentinel analytics with dashboards for cross-cloud visibility 🤝 Retainer & Advisory Support: • Ongoing guidance for CISOs, security architects, and compliance teams • Monthly retainers for SOC 2 evidence collection, security tool reviews, and policy automation • Rapid-response engagements for forensics, malware recovery, and breach root cause analysis 🧰 Platforms & Tools: • Azure, Microsoft 365, Azure Sentinel, Microsoft Defender (all modules), Intune • Terraform, Bicep, GitHub, Azure DevOps, GitOps, GHAS • Splunk, FTK, EnCase, Wireshark, Autopsy, Cisco ASA/Firepower • Checkov, Trivy, Aqua Security, smart contract security tooling • Compliance: SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, CIS, NIST, GDPR 📅 Let’s set up a free 30-minute consultation to explore how I can help you with security transformation, compliance readiness, or urgent recovery — no fluff, just fast, proven results. I bring the calm in chaos — whether you're planning secure growth or cleaning up after a breach, I’ll steady the course and deliver results. 📌 Helped a fintech client pass SOC 2 in under 60 days 📌 Responded to ransomware, restored 95% of systems in 48 hours 📌 Hardened crypto wallet infra securing $100M+ in assets Thanks again for stopping by. You can invite me to your job post or simply send a message to arrange a quick discovery call — I respond fast, and we’ll keep everything inside Upwork. — Nandy Bo 🗣️❝ 𝙄𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙖 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙉𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮 𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢. 𝙉𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙞𝙣 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚. 𝙃𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣-𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙝 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙏 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙢-𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙖 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡. ❞ — 𝙅𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙤𝙣 𝘽𝙞𝙡𝙡 - 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧 - 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡