Christopher Appleyard Email & Phone Number

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

As a DNS Engineer at Nominet UK, I play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless operation and security of our DNS infrastructure. My work is essential in maintaining the stability and reliability of internet services in the UK, reflecting Nominet's commitment to excellence.I bring a range of skills to my role, including expertise in IT Operations, server management and security, proficiency in automation using Ansible and Python, and strong problem-solving abilities for handling operational incidents.My core responsibilities include:- Managing and maintaining DNS servers to ensure high availability, performance, and security.- Automate DNS server configurations using Ansible, using best practice. Developing new, innovative ways to do things.- Design, build, and deploy innovative DNS services, such as the new DDI (DNS, DHCP, and IP address management) system (See my Linkedin profile), to expand and improve our infrastructure capabilities.- Perform EBERO (Emergency Back-End Registry Operator) events and gTLD (generic Top-Level Domain) transitions, ensuring secure and efficient migrations when TLDs move between registry providers.- Handling operational incidents from both internal and external customers, including the UK government, during the day or out of hours (On-call).- Develop and create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent and effective operational practices.- Conduct research on new DNS RFCs, testing and developing new configurations to keep our technology up-to-date.

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Working at the heart of the Internet in an Agile, DevOps environment. Lowering risk, improving the security posture and stability of DNS systems.Looking after the critical national infrastructure that we all rely on in our daily lives for all DNS queries destined for .uk and other gTLD’s.Providing insight, expertise and fixes for all DNS services provided internally and externally, including the PSN DNS service, PDNS (Protective DNS) service for the UK government, where I play an active role in making the UK the safest place to be on the Internet for multiple agencies and departments across the UK and Globally.Using a range of tools to improve, automate and secure DNS services, by scripting in Python and writing Ansible in a secured fashion and low risk, well tested environment.Deep level of understanding and expertise in several DNS products and features: RPZ (DNS Firewall), PowerDNS (recursor) BIND9, Unbound, NSD, DNSDist, Statistics API’s (BIND, PowerDNS), DoH/DoT, etc.Monitoring DNS services via Zabbix and other tools by writing custom Python scripts to provide monitoring required and configuring Monitoring solutions to fulfil the requirements.

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Monitoring, Hardware Maintenance, Network Maintenance, Linux (RHEL Enterprise) Administration/Maintenance, DNS Application Support.- Monitoring the DNS services, Databases, name servers and Applications via Nodeping, Zabbix and HP iMC.- Maintaining the critical infrastructure, RHEL 6/7 Servers, VMware, F5 Load Balancers, Juniper SRX Firewalls, HP/Cisco Switches, BIND/Power DNS services etc.- Improving the infrastructure, Analysing problems, finding solutions to applications, services, databases etc. Change management and release management.

Birmingham, United Kingdom

During my time at LGC, I was working on the Global Service Desk. Taking urgent phone calls from users, troubleshooting a range of problems from Network connectivity, Printers, Endpoint PC's, VPN connectivity/configuration, Mobile Phones, Scientific Software, ERP systems and down to Password resets.It was a varied role, this gave me the opportunity to build on my knowledge of networking, I used the PRTG Network Monitor tool to pro-actively solve problems, being a Major Incident Manager, coordinating with IT Teams to fix Incidents. I also contributed to Projects that would affect the entire company, such as a new security Remediation.I helped integrate the users from India into Active Directory so they had their own Security Groups and Mailing Lists so they could be found on the companies intranet easily by everyone in the company. I coordinated with the relevant IT Operations teams that own Active Directory and Microsoft Exchange to make sure all systems will sync with the new Security groups and new Objects that I created.

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Upon Appointment with UHB, I was the first point of contact to all Trust members for the Finance Service Desk and the IT Service Desk. I had the opportunity to build on my experience in a busy call centre environment driven by SLA’s and KPI’s within an ISO 9001 and an ISO 27001 certified organisation using the ITIL Framework. I have gained extensive knowledge of Hospital clinical and financial systems while supporting and training users by Phone or E-mail. I have handled and resolved calls within the agreed resolution time and always excelled within the call time allowed. I also had the opportunity to handle Project tasks under supervision of my line manager. I have built upon my knowledge of Auditing and Access management while creating or amending user’s accounts. I have a proven track record to resolve user issues at the first point of contact by using Remote control software or by troubleshooting hardware over the phone; I have a methodical and thorough approach to fix users issues on a variety of different systems. I have a proven track record to be able to work as a team and co-ordinate tasks while under considerable pressure, for example when a Priority one incident is on-going. I have a fantastic record for providing customer service to the Trust’s users and Third Party Suppliers.

Computer Science

Bachelor Of Technology - Btech, Computer Software Engineering, D* D* D*