👤 ALFRED VAN STER

Systems Engineer | SME • 📍 Cape Town (Remote | 100% Uptime UPS)
📧 alfred@avanster.tech • 🌐 avanster.tech • 📞 +27794695530

📄 PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Performance-driven Systems Engineer and Subject Matter Expert (SME) with over 5 years of experience in technical troubleshooting and infrastructure automation. Currently serving as a Service Engagement Manager (SEM) for four key clients and a Level 2 escalation point for complex technical failures. Expert in the MSP “Power Stack,” specializing in TS Plus environments, ConnectWise Asio, N-able, and Jamf. Advanced proficiency in architecting scripting solutions to manage cloud identity and secure remote infrastructure.

🛠️ TECHNICAL SKILLS PROFILE

  • ☁️ Cloud & Identity: Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), M365 Admin Center, Google Workspace, Azure Cloud, Keeper (PAM).
  • 🛡️ Networking & Security: TS Plus (Application Delivery), SentinelOne (S1), Cisco Meraki, IronScales, SonicWall, Cisco AnyConnect.
  • 🖥️ RMM & Orchestration: ConnectWise Asio, N-able (RMM/N-central), Jamf (Apple Device Management), IT Glue, ScreenConnect, BeyondTrust.
  • 📜 Automation & ITSM: Advanced Scripting (Automation), Bash, Zendesk, ConnectWise PSA, Jira Service Management.

💼 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

IT SUPPORT TECHNICIAN (L2 ESCALATIONS & SME) | Fortis & Cerge

Nov 2022 – Present

  • SME & Escalation Lead: Act as the primary Subject Matter Expert and escalation point for complex identity and access issues within Entra ID and M365 environments.
  • Service Engagement Management: Serve as the designated SEM for four primary clients, overseeing technical strategy, service delivery, and high-level stakeholder communication.
  • Application Delivery: Administer and optimize TS Plus environments to ensure secure, high-availability remote application access and server stability.
  • Infrastructure Automation: Developed and deployed custom scripts to automate repetitive administrative tasks, significantly reducing manual ticket processing time.
  • Security & Compliance: Manage threat hunting and incident remediation using SentinelOne and IronScales; enforced zero-trust security via Keeper and MFA.
  • Apple Fleet Management: Implemented and managed device enrollment and security policies using Jamf for macOS and iOS deployments.
  • Network Security: Maintain and troubleshoot SonicWall VPN tunnels and Cisco AnyConnect clients, resolving complex VLAN and DNS issues.

SYSTEMS INTEGRATION SPECIALIST | Maitland Group S.A

Feb 2010 – Jan 2013

  • Identified and initiated technical repairs for system process failures, mitigating critical risk exposures for the risk management team.
  • Performed real-time reconciliation of financial systems to ensure accurate and timeous data integration.

🎓 CERTIFICATIONS & EDUCATION

  • CompTIA A+ & Network+: Knowledge Domains Completed.
  • Cisco CCNA: Coursework & Network Labs Completed.
  • Certificate in Business Administration: University of South Africa.
  • Certificate in Wealth Management: INSETA.