AWS ELB SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT · NAIROBI, KE

Benard Otom
Owino.

Cloud Support Engineer II (Networking) at Amazon Web Services — building, securing and troubleshooting the infrastructure that keeps enterprises connected.

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$ whoami --summary

6+ years designing, securing and supporting enterprise IT infrastructure and cloud environments. Deep expertise in AWS networking & security, enterprise routing/switching, virtualization and cybersecurity operations.

Connect on LinkedIn ↗ Download CV ↓
Benard Otom Owino
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01 · SUMMARY

Enterprise networks, cloud-native.

Currently a Cloud Support Engineer at AWS, carrying SME designation for Elastic Load Balancing. Strong background across AWS networking & security, enterprise routing and switching, virtualization, firewalls and cybersecurity operations — with a track record of resolving high-severity, customer-impacting incidents in global, high-availability environments.

In his free time, he volunteers as an instructor at Gurutech Networking Training, a community learning channel they founded in 2018. He teaches subnetting, switching, and routing fundamentals through real-world enterprise case studies — from campus networks to banking systems — using tools like Cisco Packet Tracer and GNS3.

EXPERIENCE6+ yrs
CURRENT ROLECSE II, AWS
SME STATUSELB
CERTIFICATIONS14
BASED INNairobi, KE
02 · THE PATH

traceroute career.path

Every hop along the way — from IT support technician to AWS networking SME.

hophost / roleduration
01
cse2.aws.networking.cloud
Cloud Support Engineer II (Networking)
Amazon Web Services · Nairobi, Kenya
  • Owns complex, high-severity escalations across VPC, Direct Connect, Transit Gateway, Route 53, VPN, ELB, Auto Scaling
  • Technical escalation POC; trains, interviews and mentors engineers
  • Authors knowledge base articles and delivers internal advanced networking training
07/2026 — now
02
cse1.aws.networking.cloud
Cloud Support Engineer I (Networking)
Amazon Web Services · Nairobi, Kenya
  • Achieved Subject Matter Expert status for Elastic Load Balancer services
  • Advanced support across ALB, NLB, GWLB, CLB, VPC, Transit Gateway, WAF, IAM, Security Groups, Global Accelerator
  • Deep-dive RCA for high-severity, customer-impacting incidents
03/24 — 06/26
03
sysadmin.cytonn.local
Network and Systems Administrator
Cytonn Investments · Nairobi, Kenya
  • Managed VMware ESXi hosts and VMs via vCenter; administered Fortinet firewalls
  • Maintained enterprise infrastructure — Cisco routers/switches, Ubiquiti/Aruba WLCs, 3CX UC
  • Led cybersecurity awareness training and phishing simulations
10/22 — 01/24
04
helpdesk.icta.gok
Network and Infrastructure Engineer
ICT Authority of Kenya · Nairobi, Kenya
  • L1/L2 support and ticket escalation; deployed the National Free Public Wi-Fi Project
  • Maintained LAN/WAN/WLAN infrastructure and enforced vendor SLAs
11/21 — 10/22
05
it-support.polytechnic.ac.ke
IT Support Technician
The Kisumu National Polytechnic · Nairobi, Kenya
  • Set up and maintained computer labs; managed TP-Link routers and Cisco switches
05/21 — 11/21
06
*.gurutechnetworks.training
Network Instructor (Volunteer)
Gurutech Networking Training · YouTube, Online
  • Teaches subnetting, VLANs, STP, EtherChannel, OSPF, BGP, HSRP, NAT and Inter-VLAN routing
  • Hands-on labs on VPNs, MPLS, WAN and Cisco ASA firewall configuration
05/21 — now
07
intern.nhif.go.ke
ICT Intern
National Hospital Insurance Fund · Nairobi, Kenya
  • Maintained IT hardware/software assets; structured cabling and network installs
05/19 — 08/19
03 · STACK

Tools of the trade

Cloud Platforms

AWSVPCTransit Gateway Direct ConnectRoute 53ELB / ALB / NLB AzureOracle Cloud

Networking

TCP/IPVLANsOSPF BGPMPLSVPNsHSRP

Security

FirewallsIAMWAF NACLsSecurity GroupsFortinet

Virtualization

VMware ESXivCentervSphere

Systems Admin

Windows ServerLinuxActive DirectorymacOS

Monitoring

CloudWatchPRTGTeleOpsVeeam
04 · CERTIFICATIONS

Verified & credentialed

AWS
Solutions Architect Associate
Amazon Web Services
AWS
Advanced Networking Specialty
Amazon Web Services
AWS
Cloud Practitioner & AI Practitioner
Amazon Web Services
CC
CCNA, Security & CyberOps
Cisco
FN
NSE 1–4 Network Security
Fortinet
HW
HCIA Datacom & Security
Huawei
OR
Oracle Foundations Associate
Oracle
AZ
Azure Fundamentals
Microsoft
CS
Cloud & Network Security Analyst
Cyber Shujaa Program
ES
Managed Cloud Security Specialist
ESET
CC
Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge
Cloud Security Alliance
P2
Prince2 Agile Project Management
Learnnovate Technologies
05 · EDUCATION

Foundation

BSc Information Technology, Kisii University
Second Class Honours, Upper Division
2016 — 2020
KCSE, Ndigwa Secondary School
Grade B+
2012 — 2015
06 · PROJECTS & TRAINING

Built & taught

YouTube · Est. 2018

Gurutech Networking Training

Video series on subnetting, switching, routing and enterprise network design — built from real case scenarios in Cisco Packet Tracer and GNS3, for beginners through advanced engineers.

Watch on YouTube ↗
Learning Center

Gurutech Academy

Structured study material and configuration guides — networking fundamentals, switching and routing technologies, network security, VoIP/IP telephony and WLAN, paired with video walkthroughs.

Visit the academy ↗
Case Studies

Enterprise Network Projects

Secure Company Network, Secure & Advanced Campus Area Networks, a Banking Network System and a Secure Healthcare/Hospital Network — full design, implementation and verification walkthroughs.

View projects ↗
Helping Learners

Networking & Systems Help

Hands-on support for Packet Tracer/GNS3 assignments, network design consulting, and systems, security and web development tasks — for students and teams alike.

Get in touch ↗