Ashief Ahmed

Ashief Ahmed is a distinguished cybersecurity professional with over 16 years of experience in IT infrastructure, cloud, and cybersecurity domains. His expertise spans various industries, including government, non-government organizations, educational institutions, and Fortune 500 companies, showcasing his exceptional ability to adapt and innovate in diverse environments.

Currently based in Surrey, BC, Canada, Ashief has an impressive professional trajectory defined by his passion for education, commitment to cybersecurity excellence, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge.

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Professional Summary​

• Accomplished Educator: Ashief has been conducting IT and cybersecurity training since 2013, training more than 3,000 professionals globally. He teaches courses for ISC2, ISACA, CompTIA, and other leading certifications at nine colleges and universities worldwide, including prominent institutions in Canada such as Vancouver Community College, University of Calgary, and Algonquin College.
• Prolific Author: He has authored domain content for certifications like CISSP and CCSK and has written numerous blogs on cybersecurity and IT topics.
• Certifications Leader: Holding 58 industry-leading certifications across IT, cloud, and security domains, Ashief plans to achieve 13 additional certifications by the end of 2025. His credentials include CISSP-ISSMP, CCSP, SSCP, CISA, CISM, CGEIT, CDPSE, AWS SAA, ISO 27001 LA/LI, among many others.
• Cybersecurity Executive: Served as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at a Fortune 500 company, managing a team of 69 and overseeing security for over 3,000 employees.

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Key Achievements​

1. Project Management: Successfully managed over 100 cybersecurity and IT projects, including IAM management, assurance, risk management, cloud infrastructure deployment, and network and application security.
2. Compliance Expertise: Implemented IT risk, governance, and frameworks like ISO 27001, ITIL, CMMC, SOC 2, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and more across 22 organizations. Conducted internal and external audits for 11 organizations.
3. Global Impact: Collaborated with over 100 organizations across the USA, Asia, Africa, and Europe to build robust IT and security infrastructures.
4. Recognition: Recipient of multiple awards, including the Cybersecurity Best Paper Award from the University of Dhaka and Best Trainer Awards from CSL Training Limited in 2018 and 2019.

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Teaching Philosophy​

Ashief believes in empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals by combining industry-relevant knowledge with practical skills. As an ISC2, ISACA, and PECB-certified trainer, he adopts innovative teaching methodologies using tools like Moodle, Blackboard Learn, and D2L Brightspace to create inclusive and engaging learning environments.

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Technical Expertise​

• Cloud & Security Tools: AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Okta, Splunk, Nessus, and Kali Linux.
• Governance Frameworks: ISO 27001, NIST CSF, COBIT, SOC 2, and GDPR.
• Programming & Development: Proficient in Python, Java, and C with hands-on experience in DevOps tools like Docker and Kubernetes.
• Networking & SIEM: Cisco, Fortinet, IBM QRadar, and SolarWinds.
• Auditing & Compliance: Specialized in HIPAA, SOX, PIPEDA, FOIPPA, and PCI-DSS frameworks.

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Career Highlights​

1. Cybersecurity Instructor: Delivered 21 cybersecurity courses at Vancouver Career College, fostering critical thinking and technical expertise among students.
2. IT Security Architect: Designed and implemented enterprise security solutions at British Columbia Provincial Health Services Authority and Bank of Canada, ensuring compliance with security policies and frameworks.
3. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): Led 37 security projects valued at $132M annually, managing a $1.4M security budget for ServicEngine Limited, a Fortune 500 company.
4. Cybersecurity Career Coach: Guided professionals in mastering industry-standard frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, and CIS Controls, tailored specifically to the energy sector.

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Education​

• Master’s in Information Technology and MBA in Management Information Systems from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Both degrees are equivalent to a double master’s evaluated by WES, Canada.
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from Eastern University, Bangladesh.

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Commitment to Professional Growth​

Ashief continuously strives to remain at the forefront of cybersecurity and IT advancements. As a thought leader and mentor, he is always eager to share his knowledge, collaborate with peers, and contribute to building a secure and resilient digital future.

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For inquiries or collaboration opportunities, you can reach out to Ashief at:
[email protected]
236-882-7727

LinkedIn: Ashief Ahmed