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Michael Tatum

#> Linux && Security;

CloudS

Top-tier Cloud Providers:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft Azure
- Oracle Cloud

Mid-tier Cloud Providers:
- DigitalOcean
- Heroku

Specialty Cloud Providers:
- MLab (MongoDB-focused)

Budget-friendly Cloud Providers:
- OVH
- SoYouStart

Web Hosting-focused Cloud Providers:
- GoDaddy
- HostGator

Operating Systems

Enterprise Distributions:
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
- Oracle Linux (OEL)
- Rocky Linux
- Ubuntu

Community Distributions:
- Fedora
- Debian

Security-focused Distributions:
- BlackArch
- Kali Linux
- TAILS (TOR)

Specialized Distributions:
- DBAN (data destruction)
- ShredOS (data destruction)
- BackBox (penetration testing)
- TurnKey Linux (appliance-based)

Non-Linux Operating Systems:
- Windows
- MacOS

Skills

  • Operating Systems (Linux, various distributions)
  • Scripting and Automation (Bash, Ansible, SaltStack)
  • Virtualization (VirtualBox, VMWare)
  • Networking (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, NMap, ZenMap)
  • Network Security (IPTables, Firewalld, F5, network scanning, vulnerability assessment)
  • Web Servers (Apache, NGINX)
  • Databases (MySQL, MariaDB)
  • Content Management Systems (Wordpress, Drupal, Moodle)
  • Project Management Tools (Jira, Redmine)
  • System Administration (GParted, CloneZilla, BackupNinja, RKHunter, Lynis, Siege, Cockpit)
  • Security Tools (RKHunter, Lynis, NMap, ZenMap, Siege)
  • Cloud and Configuration Management (Ansible, SaltStack)
  • ChatGPT Systems (Copilot, Gemini, Meta AI, NotebookLM)

Certifications

Sep 2024Present

AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals

Microsoft

Experience

May 2025Current

Founder / Owner / Operator

SiftDNS
  • Engineered high-availability DNS infrastructure serving 430K+ blocked domains with load balancing and multi-region deployment across DigitalOcean cloud datacenters.
  • Automated deployment pipeline with infrastructure-as-code for consistent configuration management and provisioning, achieving 99.9% uptime target.
  • Optimized DNS query performance to sub-50ms response times through recursive caching and direct root server queries, reducing upstream requests.
  • Implemented zero-logging security architecture with strict firewall rules and DDoS protection.
  • Built auto-scaling infrastructure with triggers at 70% CPU utilization and automated backup rotation using weekly snapshots.
  • Launched subscription-based SaaS product with $3/month pricing model, 30-day free trial, and payment API integration for automated recurring billing.
  • Delivered measurable user value with documented latency improvements (27ms to 9ms for gaming) and complete ad elimination across major websites.
  • Developed comprehensive go-to-market strategy including device-specific setup guides, customer testimonials, and multi-platform compatibility.
  • Designed scalable business model with individual and enterprise tiers, targeting privacy-conscious consumers and business customers.
Mar 2019Current

Systems Engineer II

Accruent
  • Promoted to Systems Engineer II in 2022 after recognition for outstanding contributions to cloud infrastructure management.
  • Orchestrated and streamlined multi-cloud environments, ensuring seamless administration within Accruent CloudOps for peak performance and reliability across 4 software products, 4 public clouds, and 5 geo-locations, managing approximately 1,000 servers.
  • Implemented and maintained highly available, redundant international data centers to facilitate global application deployments using Java and Apache Tomcat, spanning 5-7 environment levels, including production.
  • Fortified RedHat Linux, CentOS Linux, and Oracle Enterprise Linux systems, prioritizing stability and security.
  • Executed proactive cybersecurity vulnerability scanning and patching to uphold compliance and shield infrastructure, achieving a record-low RPA score below 7k.
  • Enhanced application availability and performance by strategically deploying and tuning F5 routing and load-balancing, utilizing HA pools for failover.
  • Transformed systems administration processes by developing and deploying automation scripts with Bash, Ansible, and Salt, achieving a reduction in task runtimes from days to hours and optimizing scalability and efficiency.
  • Adopted ChatGPT to streamline team workflows by automating Linux administration tasks, troubleshooting server configurations, optimizing Ansible playbooks and SSH setups, and providing accessible explanations for complex technical concepts to enhance team productivity.
Mar 2016Feb 2019

Linux Systems Engineer

MicroAssist
  • Orchestrated and executed a solo, full-scale migration of ~50 on-premises Linux servers and applications to the DigitalOcean Cloud.
  • Engineered and maintained a scalable cloud infrastructure within a Linux-based environment, specializing in RHEL systems, supporting tens of thousands of routine users and a lifetime of approximately 100,000 users.
  • Pioneered the implementation of network monitoring and logging systems, improving performance and securing the network, and achieving a 300% increase in log diagnosis speed.
  • Hardened and optimized Apache web servers, amplifying performance and resolving vulnerabilities, and expediting patching by an estimated 400%.
  • Maintained and streamlined server operations for Moodle LMS, WordPress, Drupal, Redmine, and Jira, achieving consistent performance and compressing build times from days to hours via Bash automation.
  • Enhanced and secured MariaDB/MySQL databases, bolstering application performance and data integrity, and streamlining responsiveness through isolation strategies.
  • Audited network configurations with Nmap scripts, documenting ~100 network devices; maintained documentation to ensure compliance with industry security standards.
  • Employed Nginx for robust proxying and load balancing to construct a scalable system architecture.
  • Implemented data backup and recovery processes for ~30 Linux servers, with a recovery time objective (RTO) of <2 hours.
Jun 2015Mar 2016

EMT+

Astreya at Google
  • Delivered and maintained critical technical support within a MacOS Google corporate domain, ensuring maximum system and equipment functionality for ~250 Nest call center employees.
  • Upheld infrastructure reliability through proactive hardware maintenance, diagnosing, repairing, and upgrading a fleet of roughly 200 Mac workstations.
  • Orchestrated operating system and software updates to enforce compliance with Google corporate standards and security protocols.
  • Mitigated networking system issues by pinpointing connectivity problems and implementing solutions to minimize downtime.
  • Streamlined CAMP inventory management processes for IT assets, guaranteeing accurate tracking and equipment availability.
  • Triaged and resolved user support requests via Help Desk ticketing systems, expediting technical solutions to elevate end-user productivity.
Aug 2015May 2016

Adjunct Professor

Austin Community College
  • Prepared comprehensive instruction on Linux and UNIX systems, focusing on practical applications and theoretical concepts.
  • Designed and arranged curricula to address diverse student learning needs in alignment with academic standards.
  • Facilitated classroom discussions and hands-on labs, enhancing students' technical proficiency with operating system environments.
  • Assessed student performance through tailored assignments, exams, and feedback to ensure mastery of subject matter.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends to provide relevant and current course content.
  • Promoted a collaborative learning environment by encouraging active participation and peer interaction during lessons.
Feb 2012May 2015

Desktop Technician

Peniel Solutions
  • Sustained and troubleshot a Windows 7 corporate domain environment, ensuring system stability and compliance.
  • Pioneered a streamlined update process for all company-approved software, reducing update time and fortifying consistent security protocols.
  • Accelerated workstation support, including hardware installation, diagnostics, and repairs, adhering to company protocols.
  • Configured network settings and corrected networking issues to guarantee seamless connectivity and user productivity.
  • Started mobile device management strategies and secured devices within the corporate infrastructure.
  • Optimized backup management processes and refined user support through Help Desk ticketing systems for rapid issue resolution.

Education