Gary Frenkel

Details

Skills

Active Directory, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Computer Hardware, DNS, Help Desk Support, Information Technology, iOS, Java, kaseya, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Servers, Network Administration, Networking, Network Security, Operating Systems, OS X, Programming, Project Management, Salesforce.com, Salesforce.com Administration, Software Documentation, Software Installation, SQL, System Administration, TCP/IP, Technical Support, Troubleshooting, Virtualization, VMware, VPN, Windows, Windows 7, Windows Server, Windows XP, XP

About

I have worked for UPenn for the past 17 years, and my experience has evolved with the institution; from implementing baseline group policies for staff workstations, to managing most school-wide services such as antivirus (Crowdstrike, Symantec), endpoint management (Desktop Central, BigFix, Kaseya), backup (Code42. Acronis), and automated workstation imaging and deployment (Microsoft MDT). With CrowdStrike, I have automated deployment for our workstations using a Desktop Central and Jamf, and targeted specific types of endpoints based on various criteria.



Recently we migrated our entire on-prem datacenter to AWS, where I was responsible for moving entire systems to the cloud. Additionally, I have worked over the past few years to ensure all workstations are encrypted and that we have a method for key recovery. I have created a baseline security group policy that will set firewall rules that prevent unwanted connections to workstations over commonly-target ports – RDP, Filesharing, SMB, and removed default administrator groups and accounts across the board. In conjunction with this, I tested and implemented Microsoft LAPS to all domain-joined endpoints. This allows us to dynamically manage local administrator accounts, set a random password for each, and manage via policy, thus making our environment even more secure. Furthermore, I am currently working with colleagues in various departments in a task force to identify and implement new security safety measures across the school, including Active Directory and Group Policy standardization and consolidation, and Spirion SDP implementation.



Currently I am focusing on threat detection, hunting and incident response in Crowdstrike, as well as auditing all our of assets containing sensitive data, and ensuring these assets are in compliance with the university's recommendations for data privacy and security.



I have the following certifications that have helped develop my skills as well as, innovate and secure our computing environment; AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Windows PowerShell SANS SEC505: Securing Windows and PowerShell Automation, Automating Administrative Tasks, and ITIL Foundations, and I am working towards additional AWS certifications by December 2022 for AWS Solutions Architect, and AWS Security.