Asim Ali Tahir
IT Infrastructure & Security Consultant
MSc | AWS SA | VCP 6.5 | MCSE | RHCSA
TPN GAP Analysis & Compliance Consulting
I specialize in helping VFX and media companies achieve TPN (Trusted Partner Network) certification. My services include comprehensive security assessments, GAP analysis, implementation of required controls, and guidance through the entire certification process.
Companies I've helped achieve TPN Certification:
TPN Gold Shield
MIDAS VFX Limited
TPN Gold Shield
Flaming Frames
TPN Blue Shield
22Dogs
TPN Blue Shield
DUPE VFX Limited
Professional Experience
TPN Gold Shield Achieved
Senior Infrastructure & Systems Engineer
Oct 2023 – Present
London & Mumbai
Midas VFX provides cutting-edge visual effects services. As Head of IT, I have managed
on-premises infrastructure and cloud solutions (AWS), designed secure environments for
remote teams, and ensured scalability for artists and render farm. I also project-managed
the setup of a new office in Mumbai, providing technical support and remote management
throughout.
Key Achievements:
- TPN Gold Shield Certification: Worked with the security team to implement and maintain TPN compliance, achieving TPN Security Gold Shield for Midas VFX
- Spearheaded AWS multi-region setup (Dublin & Mumbai) to support VFX production, ensuring robust security measures, high availability, and cost optimization
- Led design and implementation of hybrid cloud architecture, leveraging AWS EC2 instances, S3, and Glacier for cloud burst rendering
- Designed and implemented high-performance workstations using VMware vSphere, Teradici PCOIP, and NVIDIA vGPU for remote work environments
- Managed disaster recovery and backup strategies using AWS, including 3-2-1 (immutable) backup policies with Glacier and MSP360
- Successful AWS multi-region setup for 80 artists; Completed the on-boarding of a new office in Mumbai, India
- Managed 100+ virtualized workstations and render nodes
Technologies: AWS EC2, AWS S3, AWS Glacier, VMware vSphere, NVIDIA vGPU,
Teradici, Hammerspace, ShotGrid, Zabbix, DUO 2FA, TPN Compliance, SolarWinds, OpenVAS
TPN Gold Shield Achieved
Senior Infrastructure & Security Consultant (Part-Time)
Feb 2025 – Oct 2025
Remote (Tenerife, Spain)
Flaming Frames is a creative studio specializing in VFX. As part-time consultant,
I am overseeing the setup of their new office and data center infrastructure.
Key Achievements:
- TPN Gold Shield Certification: Managed TPN+ compliance for secure environments, achieving TPN Gold Certification through implementation of security best practices
- Designed and implemented Fortigate firewall policies, including SSLVPN, IPSEC site-to-site, and multi-site routing
- Set up a layer-3 switch environment (FS S5850-48B8C) with multi-VLANs for network segmentation
- Implemented PXE deployment using Cobbler, automation with Ansible AWX, and centralized monitoring using Zabbix
- Set up new office, on-prem server room, and IT infrastructure
Technologies: Fortigate, FS S5850-48B8C, Zabbix, Wazuh, Ansible AWX, DUO 2FA, Cobbler, PXE deployment
TPN Blue Shield Achieved
Senior Infrastructure & Security Consultant (Part-Time)
Jun 2024 – Jan 2025
Remote (Milan & Tenerife)
Led Datacenter colocation setup with a team of 6 engineers, providing guidance,
training, design, and implementation.
Key Achievements:
- TPN Blue Shield Certification: Successfully guided the company through TPN compliance requirements
- Led Datacenter colocation setup with a team of 6 engineers
- Led the setup of Dell S-series switches, including VLANs and inter-VLAN routing for secure network design
- Deployed virtualized environments using Hyper-V and integrated monitoring systems using Zabbix and Wazuh
- Assisted in the implementation of secure remote access solutions with DUO 2FA and Teradici/HP Anyware for VFX artists
Technologies: Dell S-series, Hyper-V, Zabbix, Wazuh, DUO 2FA, Teradici, HP Anyware, Fortigate
Number9VFX
Head of IT / Systems Engineer (Part-Time)
Aug 2023 – May 2024
London & Athens
Complete new multi-site setup for new start-up company, including server room setup,
procurements, lease lines, HVAC, fire suppression, UPS & hardware setup.
Key Achievements:
- On-prem fully virtualized VDI setup, HPC GPU Servers, and fiber networked equipment
- Completed setup, documentation, handover, and training
Technologies: Dell Isilon H600, Fortigate firewalls, Dell Z-Series & Aruba Switches, VMware vSphere, Zabbix, DUO 2FA, HP Anyware
TPN Blue Shield Achieved
Head of IT / Senior Infrastructure & Systems Engineer
Apr 2019 – Aug 2023
London, UK
Responsible for transforming DUPE VFX's IT infrastructure from a start-up to a thriving
enterprise. Led on-premise and hybrid cloud solutions with a focus on high-performance
computing (HPC) for rendering.
Key Achievements:
- TPN Blue Shield Certification: Successfully achieved TPN Security Blue Shield certification
- Complete new setup for new start-up company
- New server room setup, including new aircons, UPS, airflow/vent controls, managed all contractors
- Architected and implemented an advanced infrastructure utilizing Dell Isilon H500 storage, VMware vSphere, and NVIDIA RTX vWS for remote VFX workstations
- Established an AWS cloud burst solution, enabling dynamic scaling of compute resources for rendering and backups
- Implemented secure, scalable networking solutions with Fortigate firewalls, including site-to-site VPNs
- Implemented automated OS deployment and configuration using Cobbler and Puppet
Technologies: Dell Isilon, VMware vSphere, NVIDIA RTX vWS, AWS (EC2, S3, Glacier), Fortigate, DUO 2FA, Zabbix, Solarwinds SEM
Head of IT / Senior Infrastructure & Systems Engineer
Nov 2017 – Mar 2019
London, UK
Led all IT infrastructure activities, including VDI deployment, network upgrades,
and security enhancements.
Key Achievements:
- Server room expansion, from 8 to 24 Rack capacity
- Storage Migration & Upgrade: Managed the migration and upgrade of Pixit Media storage solutions, ensuring smooth transition with zero downtime
- Implemented VMware vSphere for virtualization and NVIDIA vGPU for high-performance workstations
- Deployed Fortigate firewalls with SSL VPN and 2FA for enhanced security and remote access
Technologies: VMware vSphere, Fortigate, NVIDIA vGPU, Citrix XenApp, Citrix XenDesktop, Ansible
Previous Experience
IT Consultant / Infrastructure Migration
ITV - Dega Broadcast Systems | Apr 2017 – Nov 2017
Led infrastructure migration of ITV's systems, ensuring minimal downtime during a complex transition.
Infrastructure Engineer / IT Project Manager
DNEG (Prime Focus Technologies) | Aug 2015 – Mar 2017
Led the relocation and integration of IT infrastructure during the merger of Prime Focus and DNEG, ensuring zero downtime for critical operations.
Head of IT / Infrastructure Engineer
Prime Focus International | Jan 2006 – Jul 2015
Managed AWS and Azure-based infrastructure, backup strategies, and corporate server migrations across multiple sites and data centres.
Senior IT Support Officer
University of Westminster, London | Feb 2002 – Jan 2006
Providing high quality support service to 500+ staff and 4000+ students. Desktop support, server support, web servers, Unix/Linux support, and helpdesk management.