David Dydson
Frederick,MD
Summary
Dynamic Systems Architect with extensive experience at Cisco Systems, Inc., specializing in secure, scalable network solutions for federal clients. Proven track record in client relationship management and project management, delivering high-impact architectures and modernization strategies. Adept at translating complex requirements into actionable designs, ensuring operational resilience and compliance.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Systems Architect – Federal / Public Sector
Cisco Systems, Inc.
06.2022 - Current
- Lead pre-sales architecture and technical strategy for U.S. Federal and Public Sector customers, aligning Cisco solutions with mission objectives, security mandates, and compliance requirements.
- Design end-to-end LAN, WAN, Wireless, SD-WAN, and Security architectures supporting high availability, scalability, and operational resilience.
- Serve as a trusted technical advisor to government stakeholders, translating policy and mission needs into secure, supportable Cisco solutions.
- Conduct technical discovery workshops, architecture assessments, and design reviews to identify modernization opportunities and risk mitigation strategies.
- Develop and deliver proofs of concept (PoCs), pilots, and technical validations to demonstrate solution feasibility and performance.
- Provide technical leadership for EoL/EoS refresh initiatives, ensuring continuity of operations and alignment with long-term IT roadmaps.
- Collaborate with account teams, partners, and system integrators to produce compliant designs, BOMs, and licensing strategies.
- Deliver executive-level briefings and technical presentations that articulate value, differentiation, and architectural intent.
- Collaborated with clients to determine project specifications and scope.
- Developed network and system architecture according to business needs.
Network Consulting Engineer – Advanced Services
Cisco Systems, Inc.
08.2016 - 06.2022
- Delivered global SD-WAN implementations supporting greenfield and brownfield deployments across public sector and enterprise environments.
- Designed, implemented, and troubleshot network segmentation, application-aware routing, and direct internet access (DIA).
- Configured Cisco/Viptela controllers and edge devices; created device and feature templates using vManage.
- Designed and implemented DMVPN Phase 3 over MPLS and SD-WAN proof-of-concept environments.
- Provided high-priority technical support and acted as focal engineer for Advanced Services customers.
- Led customer weekly status meetings, migration planning, and cutover execution.
- Performed IOS / IOS-XE / IOS-XR / NX-OS software recommendations, bug scrubs, and PSIRT risk assessments.
- Deployed Cisco Smart Net Total Care / CSPC collectors for lifecycle visibility and reporting.
Senior Network Architect
U.S. Department of the Interior
05.2012 - 08.2016
- Spearheaded and led major network installation and upgrade project.
- Researched and recommended network products, services, protocols and standards for network development.
- Led design and implementation of enterprise MPLS and DMVPN architectures across DOI bureaus.
- Architected secure site-to-site and spoke-to-spoke communications using IPsec, OSPF, and EIGRP.
- Implemented perimeter security solutions including Palo Alto Networks firewalls and Cisco ASA.
- Designed and supported wireless infrastructure using Cisco WLCs and access points.
- Provided network support for over 4,800 users across multiple bureaus.
- Developed and maintained detailed network documentation and Visio diagrams.
- Presented technical designs and modernization strategies to senior leadership.
Senior Network Engineer
NOAA NWS
12.2011 - 05.2012
- Established and monitored key performance metrics to verify consistent compliance with important networking standards.
- Oversaw company's entire network and related policies covering use, maintenance and infrastructure.
- Installed and configured network security solutions such as VPNs, Firewalls and intrusion detections and mitigation tools.
- Configured, tested and maintained LAN/WAN components and connections.
- Created a failover procedure in case there should be any future emergency so all our Directly connected, Government customers, International customers and Public clients can be re-routed to the back-up-site (BTG) for Weather Data Exchange, including graceful failover and recovery.
- Provide a remote network support for international customers in England, Japan, South Africa, Germany, Bahamas, Canada and France.
Travel-Network Engineer
InfoTech Systems
08.2006 - 12.2011
- Provide onsite and remote support for LAN/WLAN/WAN networking and security products.
- Develop and maintain expertise regarding industry leading networking and security products deployed in large enterprise customer network.
- Managing the technical planning, design, and installation of devices and solutions for large-scale enterprise networks and data centers.
- Develop and maintain strong relationship with customer technical management teams.
- Analyzed and recommended corrective actions pertaining to Network routing and performance issues.
- Troubleshoot IP routing and connectivity issues such as application timeouts, inability to connect to websites, load sharing and balancing, latency issues, packet-loss, flapping interfaces, configurations and network outages.
- On call support 24/7
Education
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
University of Cape Coast
Ghana06-2022
Certification
CCIE 3x (#51355)
- Enterprise Infrastructure
- Security
- Service Provider
Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDEW)
Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Solutions (ENSDWI)
Cisco DevNet Associate
Timeline
Systems Architect – Federal / Public Sector
Cisco Systems, Inc.
06.2022 - Current
Network Consulting Engineer – Advanced Services
Cisco Systems, Inc.
08.2016 - 06.2022
Senior Network Architect
U.S. Department of the Interior
05.2012 - 08.2016
Senior Network Engineer
NOAA NWS
12.2011 - 05.2012
Travel-Network Engineer
InfoTech Systems
08.2006 - 12.2011
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
University of Cape Coast