Aqeel Hajooni
Senior Manager – Security Operations
Profile summary
Versatile cybersecurity leader with over 18 years of proven experience in enterprise and government environments. Extensive expertise in application and infrastructure security, cyber defense operations, architecture design, SOC solutions, security governance, compliance assurance, and risk management. A results-driven professional with a track record of elevating security postures, managing large-scale security projects, and leading cross-functional technical teams.
Career highlights
Directed National-Scale Security Operations: Led the UAE Federal Network (FEDNet) SOC, safeguarding multiple government entities while ensuring ISO 27001 compliance.
Elevated Security Postures: Governed end-to-end cybersecurity programs, fostering a risk-aware culture, and elevating organizational maturity toward proactive, intelligence-led defense.
Built Cyber Defense Center (du): Established a Cyber Defense Center that included SIEM, SOAR, and Threat Intelligence capabilities.
Key skills
Professional experience
Lead the overall security operations strategy across application and infrastructure layers. Oversee and manage Application Security and Infrastructure Security teams. Direct configuration, administration, and monitoring of all security solutions (EDR, DLP, PAM, EPM, DDOS, SSE, FW, WAF, NAC, Email Security, Sandboxing) Conduct periodic reviews and vulnerability testing of application/infrastructure landscape. Evaluate and implement emerging security technologies. Drive cross-functional incident resolution with internal/external stakeholders. Own security operations budgeting and financial planning.
Designed and led end-to-end Cyber Defense Operations, including architecture, governance, and resource strategy. Acted as SME across Blue Teaming, Incident Response, and Threat Intelligence domains. Architected SIEM and SOAR implementations. Oversaw risk management processes from identification to mitigation. Led security solution implementations, project planning, and revenue/resource management.
Managed 24/7 Security Operation Center for the UAE Federal Network (FEDNet). Oversaw security services to government entities; reported weekly/monthly on network health. Led DDoS protection, threat hunting, and SOC integrations. Ensured compliance with ISO 27001, ISO 27017 and conducted multiple successful surveillance audits. Developed DR plans, security measures, and advanced incident management procedures. Maintained direct engagement with ministries for real-time threat communication.
Oversaw security infrastructure planning and upgrades for the SOC. Managed teams handling Security Implementation and Infrastructure. Implemented complex projects in security blueprint alignment, device hardening, and platform provisioning. Led vendor negotiations, budgeting, and contract performance. Created individual KPIs and development plans for team members.
Proactively monitored and responded to network security threats in a 24/7 environment. Conducted vulnerability management and remediation planning. Coordinated incident response across departments and managed escalation workflows. Aligned blocking/unblocking activities with TRA internet access management.