A Few Words About Me
Welcome to my blog site! My name is Haflidi Fridthjofsson, an Icelandic Technical Fellow and Senior Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft, with over a decade of experience in IT. I am a former Microsoft MVP in Azure & Security, recognized for my expertise in Infrastructure as Code and Cloud Security.
My journey in IT began at a young age, with my first contact with computers at the age of 4. I still remember the excitement of exploring the inner workings of my first computer, a fascination that has stayed with me ever since. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in cloud solutions, system administration, Office 365, and security solutions. I have managed hosted server environments in on-premise data centers and Azure platforms, designed and implemented countless Office 365 environments, and focused on securing Azure Infrastructure.
My early career started in a computer repair workshop, where I troubleshot and repaired consumer and business Dell Computers, and occasionally Dell Business Servers. This hands-on experience provided me with a solid foundation in hardware repairs and troubleshooting. After almost three years in hardware repairs, I was promoted to Field Service Technician. In this role, I worked as an on-site System Administrator for various customers, moving between companies with different server environments, setups, and problems. My main focus was delivering customer satisfaction by fixing problems, helping end-users with their daily computer usage, installing office equipment, and improving computer systems by implementing new solutions. During this time, I also got to know Office 365 and was involved in delivering and migrating countless environments to Office 365. My dedication and expertise led to my promotion to Team Leader, where I worked on the architecture, design, and implementation of Office 365 environments.
In 2018, I moved with my family to Norway, which significantly impacted my career. This move allowed me to join Avanade Norway as a Senior Consultant in the Infrastructure Talent Community, where I advanced my expertise in Azure Infrastructure, Security, and Modern Workplace. I was later promoted to Manager and Technical Architect within Cloud and Infrastructure in the Security Talent Community, focusing on security solutions and securing Azure Infrastructure.
In early 2023, I decided it was time for a change and joined Sopra Steria, Norway’s largest consultancy within digitalization, innovation, and sustainability. During the transition period, I was awarded as a Microsoft MVP within Security for my outstanding contributions to the community. In June 2024, I was recognized again as a Microsoft MVP, this time with a double MVP award in Security & Azure, highlighting my contributions to the community.
In November 2024, I got the exciting opportunity to join Microsoft, the largest IT company in the world, and now I’m currently working as a Senior Cloud Solution Architect within the Customer Success Unit. This role has allowed me to work towards the mission to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. Despite no longer being eligible for the Microsoft MVP award, I continue my community work with the same passion and dedication, supporting and sharing my knowledge.
Throughout my career, I have achieved several significant milestones. I have been recognized as a Microsoft MVP in Security for my outstanding contributions to the community and later as a Double Microsoft MVP in Security & Azure. I have been successful in building Azure Platforms based on Azure Landing Zones and the Well-Architected Framework (WAF) for numerous large Enterprise customers in Norway. I have also secured Azure Infrastructure and led teams in various IT projects. Additionally, I have successfully managed and implemented numerous Office 365 environments. I hold several certifications, including Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect Expert, Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate, Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate, and Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert.
My community contributions have always been a significant part of my career. I have been actively involved in various initiatives, projects, and events, sharing my knowledge and expertise with the community. Whether through speaking engagements, writing articles, organizing user groups and events, or creating content, I am dedicated to making a positive impact and helping others in the IT field.
Looking ahead, my future career goals include continuing to advance my expertise in cloud solutions and security, contributing to innovative projects that drive digital transformation, and mentoring the next generation of IT professionals. I am passionate about staying at the forefront of technology and making meaningful contributions to the IT community.
I hope you enjoy reading my blog and find it useful. Thank you for visiting!
Disclimer
This blog is my personal project and is not sponsored by my current employer, nor by any solutions or providers mentioned herein. The content provided on this blog is offered “AS IS” without any warranties or guarantees.
As this is a personal blog, I make no representations regarding the accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site.
The opinions expressed here are solely my own, and all information found on this blog is my intellectual property.
