Hi I am
Sadia Hussain
18+ years of experience in GRC, IT Audit, Risk Management & Security Architecture.
About Me
Cybersecurity and GRC Advisor & Leader with 18+ years of experience leading enterprise security strategy, IT audit, governance, risk management, compliance, security architecture, and assurance programs across government, defense, healthcare, and international organizations, including the United Nations. Proven ability to strengthen cyber resilience, reduce enterprise risk, and align security initiatives with business and regulatory priorities. Experienced in securing complex infrastructures, leading security operations and monitoring programs, and translating technical risks into clear executive-level insights for strategic decision-making. Former military professional, currently actively engaged with emerging technologies, AI-driven threat intelligence, and modern cybersecurity governance practices
Years of experience
Awards won
Projects completed
Certifications
Technical Skills
Frameworks & Standards
ISO 27001, NIST CSF/RMF, CIS Controls, PCI DSS, GDPR, HIPAA
Frameworks & Standards
ISO 27001, NIST CSF/RMF, CIS Controls, PCI DSS, GDPR, HIPAA
Security Tools:
Nessus, Qualys, Nmap, Burp Suite, Metasploit
Security Operations:
Threat Hunting, SOC Operations, SIEM Monitoring
Core Competencies
GRC
IT Audit
SIEM
Cloud Security
Incident Response
Risk Management
Experience
KIDAN, Switzerland (Remote)
Oct 2024 – Oct 2025
Cyber Security Consultant
Implemented SIEM solutions and risk frameworks
Improved client GRC posture by 40%
Govt. of Pakistan
May 2022 – Dec 2024
Lead Information Security Officer
Managed SOC, incident response, and threat monitoring
Trained 10,000+ personnel
Combined Military Hospitals
Jan 2020 – May 2022
IT Head & Cybersecurity Lead
Ensured compliance with ISO 27001 & HIPAA
Secured IT systems across multiple hospitals
United Nations – MINUSCA Mission
Dec 2018 – Dec 2019
Data Analysis & Collection Engineer
Managed cybersecurity in conflict zones
Govt. of Pakistan
Feb 2014 – Dec 2018
Cybersecurity & IT Audit Advisor
Achieved ISO 27001 certification
Improved compliance efficiency by 40%
Awards & Achievements
- United Nations Service Medal
- Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card
- International Presenter – PACES 2021
- Author of cybersecurity research publications
International Exposure
- United Nations Mission – Central African Republic
- Switzerland (KIDAN Consulting)
- China (Professional Training)
- UAE, UK, Qatar (Education & Exposure)
Research Public cations
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KEY PROJECTS & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
1. I T Security Governance, Risk & Compliance ( GRC) Programs
Led and execut ed ent er prise- wi de cybersecurity gover nance, risk, and compli ance i niti ati vesacr oss l arge, di stri but ed envi ronments. Conduct ed compr ehensi ve I T audi ts, eval uat ed security control s, and assessed organi zati onal risk post ure ali gned wi th I SO/I EC 27001, ISO 27002, ISO 27005, NI ST CSF/R MF, and CI S Contr ol s. Deli vered struct ured audit reports and strategi c recommendati ons to i mprove compli ance, control effecti veness, and overall security maturity
2. Security Audit, Testing & Assurance Programs
Directed and performed multi-domain security assurance activities across infrastructure, applications, and hardware systems:
- Conduct ed data centre security audits aligned with I SO 27001, NI ST, CIS Controls, and Essential Eight mat unity model
- Performed application security assess ments covering data protection, access control, and vulnerability identification aligned with GDPR, HIPAA, and PCIDSS principles
- Executed hardware security testing & validation f or commercial and internally
developed systems - Supported vulnerability management, risk assessment, and remediation planning
3. National Cybersecurity Programs & Policy Development
Contributed to national cybersecurity policy, regulatory frameworks, and critical infrastructure protection:
- Provided technical input to PECA 2016 (Cybercrime Law), supporting cyber legislation and enforcement frameworks
- Conducted critical infrastructure security assessments aligned with IEC 62443 and NIST frameworks, and national security standards
- Developed and contributed to Information Security & Network SOPs, including:
- ISO/IEC 27001 ISMS implementation (ISO 27003–27008 guidance)
- Technical network security policies for Pakistan Defence Services
- Operations & maintenance security procedures for Pakistan Defence Services
4. Secure Infrastructure, Data Centers & Network Engineering
Designed, implemented, and consulted on enterprise-grade infrastructure and data center environments:
- Led secure data center expansion projects, including:
- Network architecture design
- System hardening
- Access control systems
- Monitoring & logging frameworks
aligned with ISO 27001, CIS Controls, and NIST guidelines
Delivered complete consultancy for extension of existing data center/equipment rooms, including end-to-end infrastructure design:
- Network & structured cabling design
- Biometric access control systems
- Electrical power distribution & load planning
- UPS systems & backup power integration
- CCTV surveillance systems
- Server racks & structured installation planning
- HVAC (cooling and environmental control systems)
Ensuring secure, scalable, and resilient infrastructure deployment
- Led deployment across 11+ data centers, ensuring segmentation, high availability, and secure communications
- Contributed to enterprise Office Automation Systems (OAS), enabling secure digital workflows and centralized operations
- Applied data protection principles aligned with ISO 27701, GDPR, FADP, and PDPL
5. Network Architecture & Large-Scale Systems Implementation
Provided technical leadership in designing and deploying large-scale network environments:
- Served as Team Lead for network architecture design and deployment across multi-site infrastructures
- Designed secure infrastructure for large-scale simulation and operational environments supporting high user loads and real-time coordination
- Ensured scalability, resilience, and secure connectivity aligned with Zero Trust principles, NIST frameworks, and modern network security architecture practices
6. Training, Capacity Building & Cybersecurity Awareness
Delivered structured training and professional development programs:
- Conducted cybersecurity awareness sessions covering cyber hygiene, social media risks, and threat prevention
- Delivered training aligned with ISO 27001, NIST CSF, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and global compliance frameworks
- Instructed four master’s-level sessions for officers on “Advanced Digital Systems & Architecture,” covering enterprise systems, network architecture, databases, and integrated digital infrastructures
- Delivered advanced technical training on networks, databases, and secure system design
- Trained Information Security Officers and audit teams on governance, auditing methodologies, and compliance readiness