BARRY JOHN HARWOOD
Ellenbrook
Summary
Honors graduate in transport management with expertise in IT operations and cloud infrastructure. Developed automated deployment pipelines and optimized CI/CD processes, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. Proven ability to collaborate across teams to improve system performance. Aiming to apply skills in security analysis and performance monitoring to drive strategic initiatives.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
DevOps Engineer
Bankwest
06.2021 - Current
- Designed automated deployment pipelines using Jenkins and Azure DevOps.
- Collaborated with development teams to implement CI/CD best practices.
- Managed cloud infrastructure across multiple environments with AWS services.
- Implemented systems automation using scripting languages like Python and Bash.
- Deployed and supported infrastructure automation and configuration management tools.
- Monitored system performance, generating actionable reports for IT operations teams.
- Implemented real-time alerts and notifications for critical system events, ensuring swift response.
- Troubleshot issues within the Splunk environment to ensure seamless operation.
- Developed search queries to extract and visualize data from Splunk dashboards.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline and enhance data ingestion processes.
- Analyzed system logs to identify security threats and potential vulnerabilities.
- Coordinated incident response efforts, ensuring swift resolution of outages.
- Participated in disaster recovery exercises to test reliability of the system.
- Evaluated new technologies to enhance infrastructure scalability and efficiency.
- Managed infrastructure components including virtual machines, storage devices, networks.
- Provided training sessions for team members on Splunk best practices.
System Administrator
Bankwest
06.2014 - 06.2021
- Administered server environments, enhancing system stability and security.
- Configured and maintained system hardware, software and network components.
- Managed user accounts and permissions, facilitating secure access for bank employees and clients.
- Monitored system performance and resolved issues proactively for optimal operations.
- Implemented backup and recovery procedures to safeguard critical data.
- Deployed operating system upgrades and security patching in accordance with IT policies.
- Provided technical support to staff, troubleshooting hardware and software problems.
- Troubleshot application errors and provided technical support to end-users.
- Documented system configurations and processes, providing clear reference for team training.
Systems Operator
Bankwest
06.2010 - 06.2014
- Monitored and ran the IT systems in Bankwest.
- Operated and monitored banking systems for optimal performance and uptime.
- Troubleshot technical issues to ensure seamless banking services for customers.
- Managed system updates and maintenance to enhance operational efficiency.
- Generated ad hoc reports and responded to end user assistance requests, provided ATM support, and managed batch processing.
- Performing first level investigation and analysis of failures and contacting on call support teams to affect a resolve.
- Escalated incidents and reported findings to senior management.
- Created and maintained documentation for system procedures and troubleshooting guidelines.
- Provided training and support to new staff on system functionalities.
Contract Computer Operator
HBF
05.2010 - 06.2010
- Monitored and operated IT systems within HBF to ensure optimal performance.
- Managed all data backups of member data and performed restores.
- Conducted first-level investigation and analysis of failures, coordinating with on-call support teams for resolution.
- Generated ad hoc reports and addressed user assistance requests to enhance system usability.
- Including incident escalation and reporting to senior management.
Logistics Shift Manager
RAC
01.2010 - 05.2010
- Managed and allocated RAC roadside resources to enhance customer service delivery.
- Allocated resources across the Perth metro area and coordinated to provide expected service to RAC members.
- Managed the development of shift staff through individual and team-based training.
- Conducted structured feedback sessions with staff based on performance data from systems.
- Implemented innovative strategies to align company operations with strategic goals.
- Developed and enhanced IT systems to ensure optimal functionality based on previous experience.
Shared Operations SME
Bankwest
01.2009 - 12.2009
- The role was based around four central teams to IT operations within Bankwest; these being Mainframe, Storage, Production Support and 24/7 Operations.
- Participated in all aspects of incident process at Bankwest, including service restoration and root cause analysis, to enhance incident management.
- Coordinated incidents and projects as central point of contact, ensuring timely resolution and communication.
- I worked on major projects within the bank to remediate gaps in the environment.
- Utilized previous experience and interactions between teams and management to maximize benefits.
- Leveraged extensive site knowledge to facilitate change process, supporting effective deployment of changes in fast-paced environment.
Team Leader Shift Operations
Bankwest
09.2007 - 01.2009
- Managed all incidents related to shift staff actions, ensuring timely resolution and minimal disruption.
- Ensured sufficient cover within the environment to provide agreed service levels.
- Developed solutions for mandated requirements, enabling bank operations within financial marketplace, including disaster recovery capability and service continuity.
- I was also proactive in suggesting improvements and raising risks to ensure that the quality of service continually improves.
- On a daily basis I met with senior management to provide updates on the resolutions and initiatives occurring within the IT area.
- Provided out-of-hours support during major incidents, facilitating communication between senior management and technical staff.
- Managed mini projects by planning major system upgrades and documenting required actions.
MVS Shift Leader
Unisys West
12.2004 - 09.2007
- Delivered IT services for clients including BankWest, DLI & DET, ensuring operational continuity and client satisfaction.
- Providing primary detection and diagnosis of mainframe, midrange and server environment failure and perform subsequent recovery or escalation services.
- Monitored environmental failures in systems, promptly reporting issues to maintain system stability and minimize downtime.
- Running and supporting the output production schedule for all engagements, which included printing, COM, fiche, CD-ROM and DVD output.
- Included maintaining output related transmission software, output schedules, queue management and operational monitoring of physical output.
- Restarted batch processes following system or application failure based on client instructions.
- Performing first level investigation and analysis of failures and contacting on call support teams to affect a resolve.
- For the bank the operations team also provided network support for the fleet of ATMs and links to interchange partners.
- Addressed staffing issues and assessed operational changes to optimize team performance and ensure effective shift management.
- I also attended weekly meetings for changes and problem reviews, as well as regular meetings with support groups.
MVS Operator
British Energy
01.2004 - 12.2004
- Provided all Barnwood based IMD managed B.E. and B.N.F.L production services to meet associated SLA’s.
- Managed back-up tapes, monitored systems including e-mail gateways, oversaw computer suites, and collected system availability statistics to ensure operational reliability.
- The operations team also support a high level of automation through AOC (Automated Operations Control).
- Monitored all out of hours batch operations through OPC/ESA scheduler and provided out of hours helpdesk support to maintain service continuity.
- Operated phone for Nuclear Alert Centre to ensure timely communication.
- A service that was critical to the site licence of both B.E. and B.N.F.L.
- Completed regular training for this role and participated in emergency exercises to meet licence requirements.
- Participated in disaster recovery planning and execution to comply with government mandates for nuclear licence maintenance.
Senior MVS Operator
Computer Sciences Corporation
03.2000 - 01.2001
- The position, at the Bristol data centre, involved working three twelve hour shifts followed by three days off.
- The data centre has two major clients, that being GE who are based across Europe and the Far East and BMW Rover.
- Each client has a separate LPAR on the IBM mainframe and uses various different scheduling packages, CA7, OPC, Control-M and Jobtrac.
- Managed seven tape silos and twenty external drives for data storage.
- A media librarian dealt with the media during the working week and the operators cover the position at weekends, taking all backups to the offsite storage facility.
- Maintained a variety of UNIX/AIX systems, AS400s, and RS6000s to support multiple clients.
- During the working day the role was a monitoring one, due to the support staff being onsite.
- At the weekend and after the support staff left, at five o’clock, the role became more involved in solving job failures and acting on any other incidents.
- Automated system messages that included actionable instructions and required problem record annotation.
- The role increased my knowledge of IT systems and communication skills.
MVS Operator
Honeywell International
05.1998 - 01.2000
- Formerly Normalair Garrett
- Operated machinery efficiently for power generation processes.
- Monitored equipment performance and reported issues to supervisors.
- Conducted routine maintenance on equipment to ensure optimal operation.
Education
BSc Transport Management Hons -
Swansea Institute of Higher Education
01-1996
A level - Physics, Economics
Yeovil College
01-1993
GCSE - Mathematics, Geography, English Literature, English Language, Physics, Chemistry, Electronics, Technology, French
Preston Comprehensive School
01-1991
Skills
- CI/CD
- Cloud infrastructure management
- Infrastructure as code
- Configuration management
- Scripting and automation
- Performance monitoring
- Security analysis
- Incident management
- IT operations oversight
- Custom coding
- Problem solving
- Systems documentation
Personal Information
Hobbies: SES volunteer for the Swan SES. I have set up a small office network for the group and upgraded all hardware. Enabling the unit to function more efficiently.
Timeline
DevOps Engineer
Bankwest
06.2021 - Current
System Administrator
Bankwest
06.2014 - 06.2021
Systems Operator
Bankwest
06.2010 - 06.2014
Contract Computer Operator
HBF
05.2010 - 06.2010
Logistics Shift Manager
RAC
01.2010 - 05.2010
Shared Operations SME
Bankwest
01.2009 - 12.2009
Team Leader Shift Operations
Bankwest
09.2007 - 01.2009
MVS Shift Leader
Unisys West
12.2004 - 09.2007
MVS Operator
British Energy
01.2004 - 12.2004
Senior MVS Operator
Computer Sciences Corporation
03.2000 - 01.2001
MVS Operator
Honeywell International
05.1998 - 01.2000
BSc Transport Management Hons -
Swansea Institute of Higher Education
A level - Physics, Economics
Yeovil College
GCSE - Mathematics, Geography, English Literature, English Language, Physics, Chemistry, Electronics, Technology, French
Preston Comprehensive School