Maher Kotob Email & Phone Number

Dubai, Ae

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

I joined Palo Alto Networks in 2016 as a Systems Engineer looking after Service Provider customers in the region and later got promoted and moved to the Channel department to look after partners in the region including Global System Integrators and local partners where I contribute as a valuable asset to the organisational growth. Currently, I am responsible for linking the technical understanding of cybersecurity products with business objectives and cyber risks facing potential customer’s environments.The following are key highlights:☛ Establish positive customer relationships by guiding them on suitable cybersecurity solutions.☛ Provide enablement and technical support and work with business teams to foster a long-lasting rapport with clients as a trusted advisor.☛ Identify and document specific problems with prospective and current customers security setup and facilitate the deployment of integrated solutions for those problems in a timely manner.☛ Deliver presentations to prospective and current clients, PoC (Proof of Concept), and RFP/RFI response.☛ Provide technical leadership of applicable technologies including security, data center, SDN, public cloud, networking, and other technologies and systems. Carry out public presentations in marketing events and webinars.Proven Success:✪ Lead a team of 3 channel SEs, conduct solution and security landscape workshops to educate customers and partners on the latest in the cybersecurity space.✪ Lead technical enablement of partners in the region & serve as a trusted advisor for security solutions.✪ Maximized awareness of Palo Alto Networks Unit 42s’ Threat Intelligence and Incident Response capabilities to channel partners.✪ Enabled and helped partners to generate more than $15M annually.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This was my first job at Palo Alto Networks and I was responsible for managing technical sales for leading service provider customers in the region.The following are key highlights of the value I brought:☛ Identify customers’ complex security challenges and needs and introduce Palo Alto Network’s integrated security products, solutions and services to address their risk and increase their security posture.☛ Assisted customers in deploying network and cloud security technologies to prevent and detect cyberattacks and breaches.☛ Provided product demonstrations to potential customers to answer their queries about services and products, while presenting Palo Alto Networks security platform and solutions.☛ Directed solutions and security landscape workshops and participated in security roadshows to raise awareness.☛ Identified and qualified new opportunities and leveraged channel partners to opportunity closure while effectively managing engagements.☛ Planned all components, including all application interfaces and connections across multiple network zones, meeting the highest security standards.Proven Success:✪ Awarded with many Data Center security deals serving as a base for expanded business.✪ Achieved high client satisfaction and fostered long-term customer relationships in a fast-paced environment.

Doha, Qatar

I served Qnbn as a Senior Manager for almost 4 years, managing infrastructure, applications, and security processes. I was responsible for developing and implementing a security program and the roll out of the private cloud infrastructure. I project managed the rollout of a virtualised private cloud internal infrastructure and project and managed the delivery for critical business solutions, ranging from Oracle Purchasing and Finance to HRMS, Exchange, and Intranet.The following are key highlights of the value I brought in this role:☛ Developed information security management practices and utilization of TM Forum & ITIL frameworks in compliance with ISO 27001.☛ Approved security standards and controls and evaluated security personnel and staffing levels to defend against future threats. ☛ Spearheaded procurement process of network-level and DC-specific solutions, including RFI, RFP as well as server and end-point security in collaboration with CTO.☛ Restructured IT resources and managed HR or Employee Relations issues while heading 7 members of staff.☛ Developed information security management practices and utilisation of TM Forum and ITIL frameworks in compliance with ISO 27001.☛ Coordinated with business units (finance, procurement, operations) to develop 144 business processes.☛ Architected and implemented cloud infrastructure for regulated, business-critical platforms and applications.☛ Modernized and centralised IT as well as designed and implemented MPLS-based services, e.g., VoIP & VPNs.Proven Success:✪ Awarded for technical excellence in the fast deployment of Oracle ODA and Oracle RAC by Oracle.✪ Developed a budget of $6M for cyber-related functions and IT in collaboration with senior leadership.✪ Supported 100 internal clients by designing solutions and managing applications, systems, security, databases, and infrastructure.✪ Awarded for technical excellence in the fast deployment of Oracle ODA and Oracle RAC by Oracle.

Beirut, Lebanon

I served Controlnet as a Director, Telecom Consulting Services for a period of 2 years. It was such a great experience as I learned a lot of things about telecom consulting.The following are key highlights of the value I brought:☛ Provided expert-level consulting services to clients, reviewing security program risk assessments based on cybersecurity frameworks and industry best practices.☛ Headed boutique consulting firm and managed internal consulting team and client relationships.☛ Fostered project management and consultative engagements, such as identifying business goals, solutions design, resource estimation, and projects’ delivery within timeline and budgets.☛ Developed bids, RFPs and SOWs to foster pre-sales process and product roadmap for a telecom company. ☛ Spearheaded projects and implementation of RBT system for a key European GSM operator and multiple B2B solutions for a leading carrier service provider.☛ Created MSD/TSD for a broadband data services provider for real-time synchronization service and developed Lead-to-Cash processes for a wholesale fiber data and connectivity provider☛ Executed a business growth program to boost growth and diversify revenue in new business capabilities regarding applications integrations (BMS), data analytics and telco technologies.☛ Analysed business requirements and designed and implemented integration solutions from small to large scale.My Proven Success Throughout:✪ Developed data and broadband services, leading the business unit development committee to serve home, residential, and enterprise customers with B2B services.✪ Lead the business development and Consulting team to identify opportunities and provide the needed services from developing products to developing processes.

Riyadh, Ksa

I served Etihad Atheeb Telecom Company as a Senior Manager, Business Solutions for a period of 2 years.The following are key highlights of the value I brought:☛ Served as a head of the technical advisory for business customers in collaboration with Account Managers to identify opportunities while designing technical solutions.☛ Identified clients’ needs & ensured desired outcomes in cybersecurity and risk management engagements.☛ Customised, deployed, and tested systems for reconciliation and interconnect billing.☛ Implemented VOIP and non-VOIP links and provided operational performance highlights to CTO. My Proven Success Throughout:✪ Managed 3 direct reports in business solutions in carrier and wholesale operations.✪ Surpassed project goals and completed all technical deliverables of high-quality standards, and providing technical implementation support and user-testing.

Riyadh, Ksa

I served Integrated Telecom Company as a Director, Product Development for a period of 3 years.The following are key highlights of the value I brought:Directed the investment in and the expansion of the project to address customer needs and requirements which was based on forecasts and cost calculations to achieve the highest ROI.Established startup as the next-generation solutions provider for broadband, interconnection, and satellite services for businesses, consumers, and wholesale.☛ Developed portfolio and pricing schedule of business, wholesale, and consumer products and reported progress to executive management and committees, and government regulatory commission.☛ Managed the flow of information and tracked deliverables by working with cross-functional teams. Performed activities during development phases and addressed timeline needs.☛ Manifested rich knowledge in product development methodology by employing technology development for business models.☛ Deployed Cisco network infrastructure, WiMAX access network, and OSS/BSS (IT) solution while managing a team of 5 members.My Proven Success Throughout:✪ Generated $80-90M annually by product catalogue development for all market segments.✪ Administered $30M project budget and 1-year integration contract with international system integrator.

Dubai, Uae

I served New Vision Systems as a Solutions Delivery and Technical Sales Manager, establishing market channels and coaching team to drive sales of multi-lingual, web-based, and scalable information management solution.The following are key highlights of the value I brought:☛ Served as liaison between sales team, development team, and customers and established credibility with key decision makers and formed alliances with channel partners☛ Analysed customer needs and conducted market research to develop product roadmap.☛ Maintained productive work relationships with team, customers, stakeholders, and executives.My Proven Success Throughout:✪ Ensured 85% customer satisfaction and 100% performance excellence while serving in a client-facing role.✪ Managed complex opportunities and challenging requirements of potential clients while designing and proposing high-profile services.

Beirut, Lebanon

I served as a Systems Engineer at CISCO Systems, designing networks to major banks across the country. The following are key highlights of the value I brought:☛ Managed technical aspects of the sales process, with ownership of customer relationships and revenue for mid-market and service providers in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.☛ Managed large-scale projects, consistently according to the quality, time, and service standards.☛ Designed a $20M public data and Internet network and built a 150-seat call center for a major GSM operator in the region.☛ Demonstrated project management skills by planning and implementing new projects, conducted new data centers, gathered information and selected the best candidates to handover papers.My Proven Success Throughout:✪ Ensured 95% customer satisfaction and 100% performance excellence while serving as a frontline System Engineer.