Denis A. Ricard
IT & Security Professional
I'm Denis A. Ricard, an IT and network professional pivoting into Security Engineering and DevOps-focused roles after 25+ years working hands-on in the field. I recently completed a Cybersecurity Specialist Diploma, where I've maintained a 4.0 GPA and deepened my skills in networking, Windows Server, Linux, and security operations.
Most of my career has been spent in the trenches—deploying and securing infrastructure for retail and financial clients across Canada as a Senior Level III CSR Install Team Lead at NCR Corporation / NCR Voyix. I've led installation teams, hardened POS and ATM environments, and handled Tier-3 escalations when networks, Windows servers, or secure systems were failing and downtime wasn't an option.
Technical Skills
Certifications
Technical Background
On the technical side, my core strengths are in networking and infrastructure: TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, VPNs, Cisco routing and switching, and pfSense firewalls/IDS/IPS. I work across Windows Server (AD, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy) and Linux, using Hyper-V and VMware to build lab and production environments.
On the security side, I'm hands-on with tools like Snort IDS, Wazuh SIEM, vulnerability scanning, and log analysis, and I use PowerShell and Python to automate repeatable tasks, enforce secure configurations, and document what I build.
I also support a local non-profit as a volunteer IT administrator, where I've implemented Microsoft 365 Business with Azure AD, deployed secure NAS storage, and delivered basic security awareness training.
My Approach
My focus now is simple: use my background in networks and systems to build practical, secure, and maintainable environments—whether that's tightening a firewall policy, stabilizing a flaky VPN, or designing a safer way to expose services to the internet.
I work comfortably in both English and French and enjoy collaborating with teams that care about doing infrastructure and security the right way, not just the fastest way.