Shahied Rustin

African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)

• ✓ Infrastructure & Process Automation: Architected a centralized IT analytics pipeline by integrating GitLab issue boards with MkDocs and custom Python-based PowerQuery scripts, drastically improving team velocity and providing transparent operational metrics to executive management.
• ✓ Debian Systems Engineering: Engineered and deployed a critical campus-wide patch across a fleet of custom Debian workstations. Resolved severe LDAP timeout failures and root filesystem lockouts, restoring researcher access with zero data loss.
• ✓ Network Architecture & Security: Deployed and maintained high-availability WireGuard VPN tunnels across MikroTik routing hardware to secure remote gateways. Diagnosed and mitigated targeted SSH brute-force incidents on core switching infrastructure.
• ✓ Technical Debt Resolution: Recommissioned legacy server hardware to build a dedicated staging environment, unblocking stalled infrastructure projects (including automated deployment testing) and accelerating overall IT deliverables.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

• ✓ Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI): Architected and deployed an automated VDI environment to support 10+ concurrent engineering students for remote laboratory access.
• ✓ Infrastructure as Code: Authored idempotent Ansible playbooks to fully automate bare-metal server provisioning, custom kernel locking, XFCE GUI optimization, and XRDP configuration.
• ✓ Identity Management & Security: Engineered a Bash-based CLI management tool automating user lifecycles and "Golden Image" cloning. Designed secure ingress using Cloudflare Zero Trust, successfully bypassing enterprise NAT restrictions without compromising campus security.

Rustin Systems

Founded and operated an independent IT consultancy concurrent with engineering studies, delivering high-availability infrastructure and digital transformation to SME clients.

• ✓ Hadjie Abdullah Solomon Family Trust: Orchestrated a containerized surveillance system (Docker/Frigate NVR) on headless Debian and secured remote administration via WireGuard VPN and hardened MikroTik routing.
• ✓ Admin Professional & Muhammadeyah School: Designed hybrid digital transformation strategies. Overhauled campus network architectures, deployed dedicated power backup solutions, and standardized environments via Microsoft 365, extending hardware lifecycles through deep-level diagnostics.