Portrait of Dominik Kappel Senior Security Engineer · Vienna

Network security, engineered with precision.

15+ years designing, operating and troubleshooting complex networks and security systems — today as the go-to expert for global Check Point infrastructures.

At a glance

15+years in network & security operations
Check Point certifications, up to CCSM Elite
6+years as main escalation point for complex Check Point issues
About

As excited about IT as on day one.

With more than 15 years of extensive experience in the operation and management of complex computer networks and security systems, I am as excited about IT as I was on the first day. In my current role as Senior Security Engineer at Bacher Systems in Vienna, I am responsible for the installation, planning, and maintenance of Check Point global infrastructures — from large-scale Maestro hyperscale deployments to multiple MDS/MLM installations for global corporations.

For the past six years I have been the main escalation point for complex Check Point issues, bringing a holistic viewpoint shaped by hands-on experience across Windows/Unix servers, VMware, networking, routing and security. I work closely with cross-functional teams, stay current with industry trends, and focus on continuous improvement in network security and performance.

I am highly resilient under pressure, quick to learn, and I genuinely enjoy mastering new technologies — most recently, exploring extensive AI capabilities with Check Point.

Homelab

IT doesn't stop at 5pm.

In my free time I test and optimize my own infrastructure — from virtualization to machine learning and AI-based image detection.

Domain Controllers
ESXi hosts
Firewalls
Switches
Access points
RAIDNVMe/HDD · 1/6
VMsML & AI workloads
AIImage detection
Security is strongest when deep product knowledge is combined with an understanding of the entire infrastructure around it.
Dominik Kappel
Career

From system administration to security elite.

A steady path through infrastructure, networking and security — each role broadening the foundation the next one builds on.

Senior Security Engineer
Bacher Systems EDV GmbH · Vienna
Nov 2020 — Present

Installation, planning and maintenance of Check Point global infrastructures — including large-scale Maestro hyperscale deployments and multiple MDS/MLM installations for global corporations. Deployment and maintenance of SentinelOne solutions. Main escalation point for complex Check Point issues.

Check Point CCSM EliteMaestroMDS / MLMVSXHarmony EndpointSentinelOne
Senior Consultant
Base-IT · Vienna
Mar 2020 — Oct 2020

Cisco routing, switching, wireless (CAPWAP/WLC), ASA multicontext clusters and Barracuda infrastructures. Configuration and maintenance of Cisco ISE.

Cisco ISEASABarracuda
Senior System Engineer
BearingPoint · Graz
Oct 2018 — Mar 2020

Managed Check Point global infrastructures (CCSA, vSEC, VSX, SandBlast) alongside Cisco routing, switching, wireless and ASA multicontext clusters, plus Cisco ISE.

Check PointVSXSandBlastCloudGuardCisco ISE
Network & Security Engineer
Kapsch BusinessCom · Graz
Oct 2015 — Sep 2018

Installed, planned and maintained Cisco routing, switching, wireless and ASA multicontext clusters with Firepower. Managed global Barracuda infrastructures, Palo Alto IPS/Wildfire, HP/Aruba networking and Cisco ISE.

CCNP R&SCCNA SecurityPalo AltoBarracudaHP/Aruba
System Engineer
Netconomy · Graz
Jun 2015 — Sep 2015

VMware ESXi installation and configuration, Unix system administration and server hardening, Cisco ASA and Barracuda firewalls, Cisco network infrastructures.

VMware ESXiCisco ASABarracuda
Systems Administrator
Lyoness Dataservice GmbH · Feldbach
Oct 2011 — Jun 2015

Deployed Lync 2010/2013 with PBX integration, archiving and DLP. Ran clustered OTRS ticketing, VMware ESXi/vCenter, Windows Server with replicated domain controllers, NAS/SAN (FreeNAS, NetApp), hardened Unix services, and pfSense firewalls with DMZ, IDS/IPS and VPNs.

Windows ServerVMwareNetApppfSenseDebian
System Administrator
MedienFabrik Graz · Graz
May 2011 — Sep 2011

Installed and maintained HP ProLiant servers, VMware ESXi, domain services (DNS, DHCP, WSUS, IIS), Unix-based external DNS and Fortigate firewalls.

VMware ESXiHP ProLiantFortigate
Expertise

Deep knowledge, broad stack.

Check Point Security

Elite-level mastery of the full Check Point portfolio, from design to troubleshooting.

  • MDS / MLM Multi-Domain
  • VSX virtualization
  • Maestro hyperscale
  • Harmony Endpoint · SandBlast

Cisco Networking

Enterprise routing and switching, plus security and identity services.

  • Routing & Switching (IOS / NX-OS)
  • ASA / FirePower
  • Wireless (CAPWAP / WLC)
  • Cisco ISE (300-715)

Multi-Vendor Firewalls

Vendor-agnostic security operations across diverse enterprise environments.

  • Palo Alto Gateway & Endpoint
  • Barracuda NGF & Mail Gateway
  • Fortinet FortiGate
  • pfSense · IDS / IPS · VPN

Network Infrastructure

Design and operation of resilient campus and data-center networks.

  • HP / Aruba Switching & Wireless
  • DMZ & segmentation design
  • Web filtering · antivirus gateways
  • Global WAN infrastructures

Virtualization & Systems

The full stack beneath the security layer — servers, storage and platforms.

  • VMware ESXi / vCenter
  • Windows Server · AD · DNS · DHCP
  • Linux / Unix · server hardening
  • NAS / SAN (NetApp, FreeNAS)

Emerging Tech & AI

Hands-on exploration of what's next — tested at home before it hits production.

  • AI capabilities with Check Point
  • ML-based image detection
  • SentinelOne EDR
  • Continuous homelab R&D
Certifications

Certified to the highest level.

The Check Point Certified Security Master Elite (CCSM Elite) is the pinnacle of the Check Point certification track — held by only a small group of engineers worldwide.

Check Point CCSM Elite

Check Point Certified Security Master EliteCCSM Elite
2025 — 2027
Check Point Certified MDSM SpecialistCCMS · R81
2025 — 2027
Check Point Certified VSX SpecialistCCVS · R81
2025 — 2027
Check Point Certified Maestro ExpertCCME
2023 — 2025
Check Point Certified Troubleshooting ExpertCCTE
2023 — 2025
Check Point Certified Security MasterCCSM
certified
Check Point Certified Security ExpertCCSE
certified
CloudGuard IaaS Public Cloud AdministratorCheck Point
2018 — 2020

Cisco CCNA Security

Cisco Certified Network Associate SecurityCCNA Security
current
Cisco Certified Network Professional Routing & SwitchingCCNP R&S
expired 2018
Cisco ISE (SISE 300-715)Identity Services Engine
certified

Further Credentials

Barracuda Certified AdministratorBarracuda NGF
certified
VMware ESXi & NetAppVendor certifications
certified

Let's build something secure.

Whether it's a global firewall architecture, a stubborn escalation, or the next security technology worth exploring — I'm always happy to connect.

📍 Vienna, Austria ✉️ Click to reveal email Languages: German (native) · English (expert)