Frans Coomans

Founder & Lead Consultant
Enterprise IT, Networks & Security

Francis Alwyn Coomans

Founder & Lead Consultant | Enterprise IT, Networks & Security
OSCP, CPTS, CWES | 25+ Years in IT & Security

Contact

🌐 https://fcoomans.com
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/frans-coomans
✉️ Contact via https://fcoomans.com/contact
📍 Gauteng, South Africa

Professional Summary

Founder & Lead Consultant with 25+ years of experience designing and delivering enterprise IT, networking, and security solutions.

I design, lead, and oversee the delivery of secure, resilient IT environments, combining deep hands-on experience in infrastructure, systems, and networks with advanced cybersecurity expertise. My background spans two decades of enterprise IT leadership, covering Active Directory, Microsoft 365, networking, virtualization, endpoint security, audits, and compliance.

I hold advanced security certifications including OSCP, CPTS, and CWES. This offensive security expertise informs how I design and secure real-world IT environments — allowing me to understand not only how systems should be built, but how they are attacked and where real risk lies.

Through Netrunnerz (Pty) Ltd, I provide end-to-end accountability for IT and security projects, working directly with clients and trusted specialist partners to deliver scalable, secure, and practical solutions.

Key Achievements

  • Earned Bachelor of Commerce in Business Informatics (Cum Laude) while working full-time.
  • Ranked Top 1% globally on Hack The Box (“Pro Hacker”) and HTB Academy.
  • Completed OSCP, CPTS, and CWES through intensive practical labs and exams.
  • Completed 50+ complex Active Directory, network, and web security assessments in simulated enterprise environments.

Professional Experience

Founder & Lead Consultant | Netrunnerz (Pty) Ltd – Gauteng, South Africa

Jun 2023 – Present

  • Founded and lead Netrunnerz (Pty) Ltd, delivering enterprise IT, networking, and security consulting services.
  • Lead solution architecture, security assessments, and project delivery for client environments, providing a single point of accountability.
  • Work with trusted specialist partners where required to deliver projects at scale.
  • Delivered paid VMware ESXi root-password recovery engagement for an enterprise client.
  • Consulted on and implemented GFI LanGuard for Microsoft patch management in an enterprise environment, including deployment, configuration, and reporting.
  • Provide licensing, deployment, and support services for GFI LanGuard and GFI KerioControl.
  • Executed 50+ full-chain simulated penetration tests on Hack The Box platforms (SQLi, XSS, CSRF, SSRF, command injection, Kerberoasting, pivoting, lateral movement).
  • Publish professional client-style penetration test reports (executive summary, technical findings with screenshots, PoC code, and high-level remediation guidance).
  • Ranked Pro Hacker (Top 1%) on Hack The Box and Top 1% on HTB Academy.

Group IT Administrator / Senior IT Lead | ACTOM (Pty) Ltd – Gauteng, South Africa

Leading energy manufacturing and engineering company with 500+ employees across 10+ sites.
Nov 1997 – Apr 2023

  • Delivered group-wide IT services and cybersecurity leadership across 10+ sites, supporting 500+ users.
  • Mentored IT staff and provided technical leadership, including escalation support and cybersecurity awareness training.
  • Administered Active Directory, GPOs, Microsoft 365, HCL Domino, Windows Server, and Linux; enforced RBAC and least-privilege access models.
  • Managed endpoint protection, patch management, backups, VPN services, network segmentation, firewalls, and routers.
  • Led key IT projects, including server room infrastructure, multi-site IT deployment, ISP migrations, endpoint protection replacement, and Domino → Microsoft 365 migration.
  • Conducted internal audits, compliance checks, and policy development, liaising with vendors such as Microsoft and Autodesk.
  • Developed automation tools in Python, PowerShell, and Bash to streamline IT operations.

Finance Clerk | Reumech/Reutech Head Office – Gauteng, South Africa

Defence manufacturer, part of a holding company, before restructuring.
1997

  • Compiled daily cash flow reports and prepared payment reconciliations.

Education

Bachelor of Commerce in Business Informatics (Cum Laude) | University of South Africa

2018–2021

  • Graduated with 25 distinctions.
  • Coursework: Databases, Networks, Programming, Project Management, Internal Auditing.

Certifications

  • OSCP (Offensive Security, 2025)
  • CPTS (Hack The Box, 2024)
  • CWES (Hack The Box, 2023)
  • CompTIA PenTest+ (2024)
  • CompTIA Security+ (2023)
  • MTCNA (Mikrotik, 2017, Expired but knowledge retained)
  • RHCE (Red Hat, 2007, Expired but knowledge retained)
  • LPIC-1 (LPI, 2007, Expired but knowledge retained)

Technical Skills

Enterprise IT & Infrastructure
IT Architecture & Solution Design, Active Directory & Identity Management, Group Policy, Microsoft 365, Windows Server, Linux Administration, Virtualization (Hyper-V, XenServer), Containers (Docker), Backup & Recovery Systems, Email & Collaboration Platforms, Secure Remote Access, Infrastructure Hardening.

Networking & Secure Design
Enterprise Network Design, Routers & Switches, VLANs & Subnetting, Firewalls, Network Segmentation, TCP/IP, VPN Services, Secure Remote Connectivity, Network Troubleshooting, Resilient & Scalable Network Architectures.

Cybersecurity & Risk Management
Cybersecurity Architecture, Vulnerability Assessment, Patch Management, Endpoint Protection, Security Awareness Training, Internal IT Audits, Compliance Audits (Microsoft, Autodesk), Policy & Procedure Development, Risk Identification & Reporting, Secure Configuration Management.

Offensive Security & Security Testing
Penetration Testing, Adversary Simulation, Active Directory Security Assessments, Enumeration, Privilege Escalation, Lateral Movement, Web Application Security Testing (SQLi, XSS, CSRF, SSRF, Command Injection, File Inclusion, SSTI, IDOR), Attack Path Analysis, Executive & Technical Security Reporting.

Leadership & Automation
IT Project Leadership, Multi-Site IT Operations, Vendor & Stakeholder Management, Technical Mentoring, Python, PowerShell, Bash Automation.

References

Available upon request.

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