Aalok Dhonju

Aalok Dhonju

Student Researcher & Tech Enthusiast

Passionate about network security, edge computing, and building innovative solutions. Currently pursuing my Bachelor's in Computer Information Technology at Northern Kentucky University.

Education

Aalok Dhonju

Northern Kentucky University

Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Technology

Expected Graduation: May 2026

Network and System Administration Track | Minor in Health Informatics and Information Security

Cumulative GPA: 3.938 / 4.00

Honors: US Bank Cyber Security Scholarship, COI President's List 3x, COI Dean's List, Haile COB Dean's List, Haile Enrichment Fund, International Merit Scholarship, EDGE and EDGE+ Programs

Experience

Medpace Inc.

Network Engineering Intern
August 2025 - October 2025
  • Resolved Zscaler and network support tickets and monitored alerts with SolarWinds
  • Assisted in deploying Cisco 9200CX switches and installing Opengear appliances for network management
  • Automated routine tasks using PowerShell, including ACL extraction and group membership audits
  • Conducted authenticated network scans with Tanium and strengthened micro segmentation with Guardicore policies

Compass Group USA

Intern
October 2023 - August 2025 | January 2026 - Present
  • Administered and migrated the NKU Dine-on-Campus website
  • Analyzed marketing data using Python, Excel, and Power BI to provide consumer behavior insights
  • Managed digital displays and social media, and automated marketing emails for over 200 subscribers

Northern Kentucky University

Undergraduate Student Researcher
May 2024 - April 2025
  • Conducted research on SPHERE for reliable Edge Computing Services under Prof. Rasib Khan
  • Configured VMware vSphere instances to deploy local databases and edge computing servers
  • Secured IoT data streams using blockchain-based hash chains and cryptographic methods

Northern Kentucky University

Teaching Assistant
August 2024 - December 2024
  • Assisted with lab sessions and exam reviews for CIT 247 Networking Fundamentals
  • Supported hands-on learning with Cisco networking equipment in the Cyber Threat Intelligence Lab

Projects

Docker & NGINX Reverse Proxy

Deployed a multi-service containerized environment within an AWS VPC using Docker and NGINX Proxy Manager.

  • Hosted five web applications on a single EC2 instance using Docker
  • Configured NGINX Proxy Manager to route traffic via subdomains with HTTPS
  • Implemented centralized reverse proxy architecture for scalability

Server Cloning & Active Directory Deployment

Designed and deployed a Windows Server environment with Active Directory and image-based cloning.

  • Used FOG Project for image capture, deployment, and PXE booting
  • Configured primary and secondary domain controllers for redundancy
  • Created organizational units, roles, and user accounts

Secure Service Provenance in Edge Computing

Set up and managed MySQL Server, creating automated Python scripts to streamline data extraction and storage

  • Integrated Local APIs with databases for efficient and secure data transfer
  • Enhanced system integrity using blockchain, hash chains, and robust security protocols
  • Deployed and maintained multiple VM instances, ensuring optimal configuration and performance

Unix System Administrator Tool Using Python

A comprehensive system administration tool using Python to automate various tasks

  • User Management: Create, delete, and update user accounts, including batch creation from CSV files
  • System Monitoring: Track CPU and memory usage, check disk space, and list running processes
  • File Organization: Automatically categorize files based on extensions
  • Email Notifications: Automated alerts after task completion

Layer 2 Security Hardening on Cisco Switches

Configured a Cisco switch to enhance network security by implementing multiple security measures

  • Threat Prevention: Mitigated MAC spoofing, CAM Overflow, and DHCP Snooping attacks
  • Security Solutions: Enabled Port Fast, BPDU Guard, and auto-recovery in Cisco 3850
  • VLAN Management: Secured unused ports in a "parking lot VLAN"
  • Protocol Hardening: Disabled CDP to reduce attack surfaces

Self-Hosted Portfolio Website

Created and hosted portfolio website on a self-hosted Ubuntu server

  • Apache2 Web Server: Configured and hosted the website on port 80
  • NAT Forwarding: Enabled external access by forwarding port 80
  • Domain Linking: Mapped the server's IP address to custom domain
  • Live at: www.aalok.me

Certifications

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Issuer: Cisco
Issued Dec 2025 · Expires Dec 2028

Credential ID: aa1693ce-cd1f-45d6-a2c0-5577df479202

Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)

Issuer: ISC2
Issued Oct 2025 · Expires Oct 2028

Skills: Network Security · Cybersecurity

SASE Expert Level 1

Issuer: Cato Networks
Issued Sep 2025

Credential ID: xxd3imla0z

CompTIA Network+ ce Certification

Issuer: CompTIA
Issued Aug 2025 · Expires Aug 2028

Skills: Troubleshooting · Networking

Google Cybersecurity Certificate

Issuer: Google
Issued Aug 2023

Credential ID: QU795JB8FRKD
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