I’m Alex M. Nelsen, a Professional Services Engineer / Consultant specializing in the design, deployment, and integration of enterprise networks. My focus is on delivering resilient, high-performance infrastructures that enable organizations to scale securely and efficiently.

I bring hands-on expertise across multiple vendors including Fortinet, Sophos, Cisco, Aruba and more.

• SD-WAN design and implementation - leveraging advanced Fortinet and Sophos capabilities to deliver intelligent, application-aware routing and dynamic path selection across distributed networks.

• Routing protocols - including BGP, OSPF, and dynamic routing strategies, applied to complex multi-site and ISP scenarios.

• Switching architectures - designing and implementing Layer 2 and Layer 3 solutions with VLAN segmentation, link aggregation, redundancy (RSTP, MSTP), and inter-vendor interoperability.

• Firewall and VPN solutions - migrating environments from legacy platforms to next-generation Fortinet and Sophos appliances, building secure site-to-site and remote access VPNs, and enforcing security policies at scale.

• Wireless and edge networking - designing predictive heat maps, and ensuring reliable connectivity in high-density and challenging environments.

In addition to engineering and implementation, I work closely with clients in a pre-sales and solutions architect role—conducting network assessments, creating technical roadmaps, and translating complex requirements into actionable, scalable designs.

Additionally, I hold multiple industry certifications, including:

• Fortinet - FCP Network Security, FCSS Enterprise Networking

• Sophos - Certified Firewall Architect (AT80), Certified Firewall Engineer (ET80)

• CompTIA - PenTest+, CySA+, Network+, Security+, and more.

• ISC² - Certified Cloud Systems Practitioner (CCSP), System Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

  I specialize in building scalable network designs that connect multiple sites reliably and efficiently. From hub-and-spoke architectures to advanced SD-WAN deployments, I focus on designing infrastructures that ensure seamless communication, redundancy, and performance across distributed environments. My role is to deliver solutions that not only meet today’s connectivity needs but also provide the flexibility and resilience organizations require as they continue to grow.

Through my work and ongoing learning, I remain committed to one mission: engineering enterprise networks that are reliable, secure, and built for the future.

A Professional Summary:

Education

Bachelor of Science:

Cybersecurity & Information Assurance

Western Governors University

Top Industry Certifications from Vendors including:

• Fortinet

• Sophos

• CompTia

• ISC2

• Axelos

• Linux Professional Institute

• Google