IFTIKHAR AHMAD
SOC Analyst | Cybersecurity Professional | IT Support
Iqama Status: Transferable
SIEM (Splunk, Wazuh) | Incident Response | Threat Detection
Security Operations | ServiceNow | IT Support
Contact Me
Professional Summary
Cybersecurity Professional with over 2+ years of experience as a SOC Analyst. I contributed to detecting and investigating cybersecurity threats using advanced SIEM tools such as Splunk. My core responsibilities included monitoring security events in real-time, triaging and investigating incidents, and supporting comprehensive incident response efforts. I maintained strict adherence to NCA controls, ISO 27001, and NIST frameworks, ensuring the organization met all regulatory and compliance requirements.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Engineering & Technology Peshawar, complemented by professional certifications in Cloud Solution Architecture and Foundations of Cybersecurity. My technical foundation, combined with hands-on experience in security operations and incident management, positions me to effectively contribute to organizational security objectives and help mitigate emerging cyber threats.
Core Competencies
Security Operations
SIEM tools (Splunk, Wazuh), threat detection, incident response, and security monitoring
Documentation
Technical documentation, incident reporting, and compliance documentation
Incident Handling
Triage, investigation, escalation, and remediation of security incidents
IT Operations
ServiceNow, system administration, network security, and IT support
Professional Experience:
SOC Analyst L1
دار الرياض | Dar Al Riyadh
Sep 2024 - Aug 2025
1
Threat Detection & Monitoring
Monitored and analyzed security events using Splunk SIEM to identify suspicious activities, malware, phishing attempts, and unauthorized access. Reviewed logs from firewalls, endpoints, servers, and network devices to detect threats and anomalies in real-time.
2
Incident Response
Performed incident triage, investigation, and escalation following established incident response playbooks in ServiceNow. Supported security incident response activities to ensure rapid containment and effective remediation.
3
Compliance & Documentation
Maintained compliance with NCA controls, ISO 27001, and NIST Risk Management Framework requirements. Documented incidents, findings, and remediation actions in accordance with organizational security policies. Collaborated with IT and infrastructure teams to resolve security-related issues and strengthen overall security posture.
IT Support & System Analyst
دار الرياض | Dar Al Riyadh
May 2024 - Jul 2024
Key Responsibilities
  • Provided L1/L2 IT support, ensuring operational stability and system availability
  • Managed user access and system accounts in line with security policies
  • Utilized ServiceNow for efficient incident management and documentation
  • Collaborated with internal teams and vendors to resolve issues promptly
This role strengthened my foundation in IT operations and service management, bridging technical support with security awareness.
SOC Analyst Experience
siParadigm Diagnostic Informatics
May 2023 - Apr 2024
During my tenure at siParadigm Diagnostic Informatics, I played a key role in strengthening the organization's security posture by implementing advanced threat detection capabilities and optimizing security operations. I worked closely with the security team to monitor critical infrastructure, reduce security incidents, and maintain compliance with industry standards. This role provided valuable hands-on experience with enterprise-grade SIEM platforms and incident management processes.
Threat Monitoring
Monitored security events via SIEM (Splunk, Wazuh), cutting detection time significantly. Analyzed thousands of daily security events to identify patterns and anomalies. Developed expertise in log correlation, alert tuning, and threat intelligence integration to enhance detection accuracy and response capabilities.
Optimization
Reduced false positives through log analysis and rule optimization. Conducted comprehensive reviews of existing SIEM rules and alerts to eliminate noise and improve signal-to-noise ratio. Implemented refined detection logic that increased alert quality by 40%, enabling the team to focus on genuine threats.
Integration
Integrated SAP logs into SIEM, enhancing ERP security visibility. Configured log forwarding from critical business systems to centralize security monitoring. This integration provided real-time visibility into enterprise resource planning activities and helped detect unauthorized access attempts and suspicious transactions.
Compliance
Responded to incidents, minimizing downtime and supporting ISO 27001 & NIST compliance. Participated in incident response activities from detection through remediation. Documented all security events and remediation efforts to support compliance audits and maintain audit trails for regulatory requirements.
IT Support Engineering
K2X Tech
Oct 2022 - Dec 2022
Technical Excellence
Provided technical assistance and troubleshooting for hardware and software issues, ensuring minimal downtime and optimal productivity for end-users. Managed software deployment, updates, and system administration for Windows and Linux systems.
Infrastructure & Security
Assisted in designing, configuring, and maintaining network infrastructures, monitoring performance, and implementing robust security measures. Implemented security protocols, conducted audits, and collaborated with the cybersecurity team to enhance IT infrastructure resilience.
Created comprehensive IT documentation and maintained guides to support efficient knowledge transfer within the team.
Education & Certifications
Bachelor's Degree
Computer Science
University of Engineering & Technology Peshawar
September 2019 - September 2023
Professional Certifications
  • Foundations of Cybersecurity
  • Cloud Solution Architecture
  • Managing Network Security
  • Connect and Protect: Networks and Network Security (Google)
  • Operating Systems: Overview, Administration, and Security
Technical Skills & Languages
Language Proficiency
Pashto
Native or Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Urdu
Full Professional
Arabic
Elementary
Technical Expertise
1
SIEM Tools
Splunk, Wazuh
2
Ticketing Systems
ServiceNow
3
Compliance Frameworks
NCA Controls, ISO 27001, NIST
4
Operating Systems
Windows, Linux
5
Security Operations
Incident Response, Threat Detection, Log Analysis
6
Network Security
Firewall Management, Network Monitoring
Get In Touch
I'm passionate about cybersecurity and committed to protecting organizations from evolving threats. With hands-on experience in security operations, incident response, and compliance, I'm ready to contribute to your team's success. Let's connect to discuss how I can help strengthen your security posture.
Location
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Mobile
+966 501247787
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