About Me
Hi, I'm Lokesh - Result-driven Microsoft 365 Engineer with extensive experience in Exchange Online, Defender and Purview products. Proven expertise in deploying, managing, and troubleshooting complex Exchange Online environments while implementing robust security measures to safeguard organizational data. Strong problem-solving abilities and excellent communication skills, dedicated to providing exceptional support and driving continuous improvement.
As a Messaging Specialist at CIBC, I play a central role in maintaining a highly available and stable Microsoft 365 messaging environment, with a strong focus on email security, hygiene, and archiving across both cloud and on‑premises systems. My day‑to‑day responsibilities include proactive monitoring, incident response, and participation in disaster recovery drills, where I help incorporate lessons learned into future strategies.
I've successfully led several large‑scale initiatives, including designing and implementing mail‑flow rerouting for over 70,000 users, automating the purge of sensitive emails for more than 14,000 accounts, and migrating 4,000+ mailboxes to meet strict data residency regulations. To further strengthen resiliency, I deployed air‑gapped, immutable backups and introduced ProofPoint Continuity to ensure uninterrupted email communications during outages. I've also integrated multiple applications with secure Graph APIs, enhancing both reliability and security across the environment.
At SherWeb Inc., I had the opportunity to work directly with a wide range of clients/enterprises, helping them navigate the complexities of Microsoft 365. My role went far beyond troubleshooting — it was about building trust and ensuring that organizations could fully leverage the Microsoft ecosystem. I supported environments that spanned Exchange Online, Microsoft Defender, Purview, Azure Information Protection, Intune, Azure Identity, and SharePoint/OneDrive or Teams.
One of the highlights of my time there was being recognized as Most Valuable Player (MVP) twice within a team of more than 100 advisors. This recognition reflected not only my technical expertise but also my commitment to collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
As a graduate of Sir Sandford Fleming College with a Post-Graduate Certificate in Wireless Information Networking program, I focused on wireless protocols, network security, and enterprise infrastructure. With my CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) and CCENT certifications, I developed a strong foundation in TCP/IP, routing, and switching.
Love to solve any problem, especially with complex scenarios. Absolutely efficient for working on multiple projects. My hobbies are traveling, learning something new, and cooking.
Core Competencies
Security Architecture
Designing Zero Trust environments with Microsoft Defender, ATP, and Purview for enterprise-grade protection.
PowerShell Automation
Custom scripts for lifecycle management, bulk operations, and reporting that save hundreds of hours.
Mail Flow Expert
Complex routing rules, transport policies, and hybrid configurations for 70k+ user environments.
Identity & Access
Privileged Identity Management, Conditional Access, and Azure AD Connect implementations.
Technical Consultation
Expert-level troubleshooting and strategic guidance on Microsoft 365 best practices for IT leaders.
Cloud Infrastructure
Experience with Exchange Online and Azure infrastructure, data residency compliance, and hybrid setups.