Tarek’s fascination with technology began with an i386 computer at home, equipped with a turbo button that made game characters move faster. He vividly remembers playing FIFA 98 by EA with a friend across town over a dial-up modem. Despite constant communication issues and lag, the idea of connecting over such distances was amazing and sparked his interest in networking.

With close to 20 years of experience in Microsoft technologies, networking, Azure, and Microsoft 365, Tarek is not just navigating the digital landscape; he’s reshaping it. His toolkit includes a keen eye for detail and a relentless pursuit of understanding every layer of technology.

Tarek’s professional journey began with an entry-level support role, but his dedication and expertise quickly propelled him into senior positions. Throughout his career, he has been a firm believer in the power of standardization, ensuring every piece of documentation meets the gold standard. Security is woven into every project he touches.

From a fascination with the interconnectedness of the world through networking, to now leading initiatives in cloud solutions and security enhancements, Tarek’s journey has been all about growth and adaptability. Whether it’s managing network solutions with Microsoft technologies or guiding seamless migrations to Microsoft 365, Tarek ensures every move is secure, efficient, and forward-thinking.

Having grown up in a foreign country, Tarek brings a unique global perspective to his work. His early experiences as a Microsoft system administrator and his days as a junior IT administrator have provided him with a solid foundation and deep understanding of Microsoft technologies.

At the heart of it all, Tarek is a troubleshooter, designer, and teacher, always ready to tackle the next challenge with a strategic approach, ensuring the solutions crafted today stand strong in the face of tomorrow’s challenges. Tarek holds both CCIE and Azure Solutions Architect Expert certifications, and he brings his expertise as a Senior Cloud Solutions Engineer at Cloudforce.

Other fun facts about Tarek:

What are three words to describe you?

• According to my wife – patient, inquisitive, ambitious.

If you had to delete all but 3 apps from your phone, which 3 would you keep?

• Reddit, YouTube, and my password manager (I’m not sharing which one with you all 😊)

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

• A pilot – the first Topgun movie was an inspiration at the time.

What is your favorite dessert?

• Cheesecake was the first thing I looked for in a dessert menu for the longest time, but now Kunafah has taken the top spot. If you are not familiar, it’s a Middle Eastern dessert–spun pastry and cheese, soaked in syrup.

What would be the most surprising scientific discovery imaginable?

• I asked my daughter this one. If matter could travel faster than the speed of light and humanity figures out how to move objects that fast. Warp 9 here we come!