AS
Open to new opportunities

Hi, I'm Amir Shirazi

IT & Systems Administrator

15+ years of turning fragile IT environments into reliable, secure, well-documented systems — across Windows Server, Microsoft 365, virtualization, networking, web design, and web hosting.

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0+Years of experience
0+Technology areas
0Certifications
24/7Reliability mindset
01 · About

Reliable systems, fewer tickets

I'm an IT and Systems Administrator based in Toronto with over 15 years of experience, primarily in Windows server and desktop environments, alongside hands-on Linux experience for web hosting and supporting services.

I work across Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace administration, Active Directory, virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V), enterprise firewalls, and email security and deliverability (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and secure email gateways), as well as web hosting platforms like cPanel, Plesk, and WHMCS.

I'm known for reducing ticket volume through proactive monitoring, tightening security posture, and turning fragile IT environments into reliable, well-documented systems that teams can actually depend on.

At a glance

  • Experience15+ years
  • FocusWindows Server & M365
  • Also fluent inLinux web hosting
  • SecurityCertified Firewall Architect
  • LocationToronto, Canada
  • LanguagesEnglish · Persian
02 · Services

What I can do for you

Web Design & Development

Modern, fast, mobile-first websites — from personal pages and business sites to WordPress builds and full redesigns, with performance and SEO baked in.

Start a project

Web Hosting

Fast, secure hosting on enterprise-grade servers — LiteSpeed performance, free SSL, daily backups, email included, and a real human when you need help.

Get hosted

Domain Registration

Find and register the right domain — .com, .ca, and hundreds more — with DNS management, SSL/TLS, and privacy handled properly from day one.

Register a domain

Managed IT & Cloud

Day-to-day IT for SMBs: Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, Active Directory, servers, patching, monitoring, and end-user support that keeps you working.

Get support

Security & Email Deliverability

Firewalls, endpoint protection, MFA, and SPF/DKIM/DMARC done right — so your network stays safe and your email actually lands in the inbox.

Harden your setup

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Backup strategies that are actually tested — servers, Microsoft 365 data, and endpoints — with restore drills so a bad day never becomes a lost business.

Protect your data
03 · Skills

What I work with

Cloud & Productivity

Microsoft 365 Administration, Azure AD / Entra ID, OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Workspace, Azure, AWS, Google Cloud.

Windows Systems

Windows Server 2012–2022, Windows 10/11, Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, file & print services, PowerShell scripting.

Linux

Ubuntu, CentOS, AlmaLinux, and CloudLinux for web hosting and supporting services — users, permissions, services, and shell.

Virtualization

VMware vSphere / ESXi, Hyper-V, Parallels, and Boot Camp.

Networking

TCP/IP, VPN (IPsec & SSL), routing and switching, Wi-Fi design, VLANs, and firewall rules.

Security

Next-generation firewalls, endpoint protection and EDR, MFA, patch management, and risk assessments.

Email Security & Deliverability

SPF, DKIM, DMARC, secure email gateways, advanced threat protection, anti-spam and anti-phishing tuning.

Web Hosting

cPanel, DirectAdmin, Plesk, WHMCS, SSL/TLS, domain and DNS management.

Backup & DR

Enterprise backup workflows, RAID, NAS/SAN, business continuity planning, and disaster-recovery testing.

Support & Tooling

PSA and RMM platforms, enterprise ticketing systems, remote support tools, workstation imaging, onboarding/offboarding, runbook & KB authoring, end-user training.

04 · Experience

Where I've worked

Network & System Administrator

Aug 2022 — Present
Pinnacle Networks Inc.
  • Primary IT administrator for a portfolio of SMB clients — network, server, and end-user support across multi-tenant Windows environments.
  • Operate PSA and RMM platforms for ticketing, asset tracking, patching, and scripted maintenance across all client endpoints.
  • Administer Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace tenants: user lifecycle, license optimization, mailbox migrations, and security baselines.
  • Hardened email security with SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and secure email gateways — eliminating recurring spoofing and delivery failures.
  • Deploy and tune next-generation firewalls and endpoint protection; design backup and disaster-recovery solutions with regular restore testing.
  • Run client security assessments, produce remediation plans, and deliver phishing-awareness training.

Deskside Support Analyst

Feb 2022 — Aug 2022
Compugen · on assignment at Suncor Energy
  • Delivered onsite and remote desk-side support to a large enterprise Windows user base through an enterprise ticketing system.
  • Built and deployed new-hire workstations end-to-end: imaging, software deployment, peripherals, and access provisioning.
  • Supported AV setups for executive webinars and internal events with zero-incident delivery.
  • Authored knowledge-base articles and runbooks used by Tier-1 staff to deflect repeat tickets.

System Administrator

May 2014 — Feb 2021
Parseh Technologists Co.
  • Owned the Windows server estate (Server 2012/2016/2019) — uptime, performance, patching, and security across production workloads.
  • Administered Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and email services; maintained Linux servers running customer web hosting.
  • Led server migrations and capacity-planning projects, modernizing aging infrastructure.
  • Managed shared and dedicated hosting environments (cPanel, DirectAdmin, WHMCS) and resolved customer DNS, mail, and SSL issues.
  • Implemented SPF, DKIM, and DMARC with anti-spam gateways — sharply improving deliverability and cutting inbound threats.

IT Technical Support

Jul 2011 — May 2014
Parseh Technologists Co.
  • Handled Tier-1 and Tier-2 helpdesk tickets for hardware, software, and network issues across a mixed Windows/macOS user base.
  • Managed Active Directory accounts, access provisioning, and Exchange/POP3/IMAP email support.
  • Maintained cPanel and DirectAdmin hosting environments and assisted with DNS and SSL configuration.
05 · Credentials

Certifications & education

CompTIA A+ ceCompTIA · 2022
Enterprise Firewall — Certified ArchitectNetwork Security · 2022
Enterprise Firewall — Certified EngineerNetwork Security · 2022
Industrial Computing WorkshopCertificate of Completion · 2018

Aptech Certified Computer Professional (ACCP)

2008 — 2011
Aptech Computer Education

A three-year, career-oriented IT program covering systems administration, networking, programming fundamentals, and database management — with progressive Information Systems Management certificates (2008, Advanced 2009, Proficiency 2011).

06 · Contact

Let's build something reliable

A role, a website, hosting, a domain, or an IT environment that needs untangling — I'd be glad to hear from you.

Me@AmirShirazi.ca linkedin.com/in/a-shirazi
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