Feras Kanaan
VP of Digital Infrastructure & Music Producer

I don't fit in a box.
Good.

A technologist, security architect, and electronic music producer.

For 29+ years, I've been building digital infrastructure, securing industrial systems, and advising boardrooms across MENA and global markets.

It's hard to pigeonhole me into "just a CTO" or "just a security guy." I've designed enterprise architectures at dawn and produced ambient tracks at midnight. This timeline is my story—not a resume.

// Work History

The Timeline

2026 — Present
VP of Digital Infrastructure
TAQA Water Solutions
Executive Innovation & Infrastructure
  • ▸Bridges innovation and security for the connected enterprise as VP of Digital Infrastructure.
  • ▸Directs digital strategy and technology transformation for critical large-scale infrastructure.
  • ▸Specializes in securing innovation at scale while managing vendor costs and technical debt.
  • ▸Oversees emerging technology roadmaps including AI/ML, Private 5G, and OT Cybersecurity.
2023 — 2026
Industry 4.0 & AI Lead
TAQA Water Solutions
Industrial Industry 4.0 & AI Pioneer
  • ▸Architected private LLMs for secure data processing and developed agentic business roadmaps.
  • ▸Optimized GPU cluster performance and hardware infrastructure for enterprise-grade GenAI applications.
  • ▸Designed private 5G and M2M network architectures for OT/SCADA across 18 distributed sites.
  • ▸Deployed enterprise hybrid SD-WAN, achieving a 70% cost reduction compared to MPLS.
2022 — 2023
Digital Resilience Lead
TAQA Water Solutions
Digital Resilience & Cyber Risk
  • ▸Directed the successful achievement of ISO 27001 certification within a 10-month timeframe.
  • ▸Re-engineered disaster recovery architecture, reducing RTO and RPO by 70%.
  • ▸Developed an AI-driven Security Operations Center (SoC) for advanced threat detection.
  • ▸Streamlined compliance with regional regulations (NESA, ADDA) through a unified reporting framework.
2017 — 2022
CISO
TAQA Water Solutions
Cybersecurity Governance & Leadership
  • ▸Served as CISO, strengthening Information Security Assurance (IA) to 100% compliance.
  • ▸Implemented the National Cyber Risk Management Framework (NCRMF) for UAE standards.
  • ▸Orchestrated government Data Management programs and established formal data governance committees.
  • ▸Chaired the Information Security Committee to oversee risk monitoring and cross-functional collaboration.
2016 — 2017
Digital Consultant
Andiamo Yacht Charter
E-Commerce & Emerging FinTech
  • ▸Led the system design and full-cycle development of the company's E-Commerce portal.
  • ▸Optimized business intelligence through improved macro and micro location targeting strategies.
  • ▸Participated in the development of a blockchain-based pilot for the company loyalty program.
  • ▸Provided strategic consultancy at the intersection of digital marketing and technical architecture.
2013 — 2016
Information Systems Advisor
Ministry of International Cooperation and Development
National Security & Strategic Advisory
  • ▸Provided security advisory for NESA compliance and UAE Information Assurance frameworks.
  • ▸Developed the Ministry's primary and secondary data center architecture and migration plans.
  • ▸Conducted annual cyber risk assessments and monitored KPIs for national information sharing.
  • ▸Conducted feasibility studies for hosting the UNISDR Global Disaster Risk reduction portal.
2008 — 2013
Information Systems Expert
Ministry of Foreign Trade
E-Government & Standards Implementation
  • ▸Led the implementation of the comprehensive e-Government strategy for the Ministry.
  • ▸Directed the adoption of global security standards including ISO 27001, COBIT, and ITSM.
  • ▸Designed and developed the First UAE Foreign Trade Portal as a secure digital gateway.
  • ▸Implemented the Ministry's Business Continuity (BCP) and Risk Management Frameworks (RMF).
1997 — 2007
Engineering Foundations
Early Career
Systems Engineering & Software Development
  • ▸Served as CTO for Qpassion Technology and Senior Developer for Saudi Research & Publishing Company.
  • ▸Developed E-Commerce solutions for Lootah BCGas and product software for Al Aqariya TV.
  • ▸Began technical career as an Information Systems Engineer at Damascus University.
  • ▸Earned a B.Eng. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Damascus University.
// What's Next

Emerging Tech Focus

🧠 01

Private LLMs

On-premise large language models. Data sovereignty, custom fine-tuning, and air-gapped deployments for regulated industries.

RAG Fine-tuning Air-gapped
📡 02

5G Private Networks

Enterprise 5G for industrial automation, real-time analytics, and ultra-reliable connectivity in manufacturing and energy.

URLLC Edge Industry 4.0
🔌 03

Industrial IoT

Secure sensor networks for predictive maintenance, environmental monitoring, and digital twins across critical infrastructure.

Digital Twins SCADA Predictive
// The Other Side

Sonic Studio

Music production is engineering with a different compiler. The same systematic thinking that architects secure networks creates layered, textured electronic compositions.

🎹
Electronic & Ambient
Industrial textures, melodic synthesis
🎚
Sound Design
Modular synthesis, granular processing
🎧
Production & Mixing
Ableton Live, hardware integration
// Releases

Latest Tracks

// Credentials

Certifications

🛡
CISSP
Certified Information Systems
Security Professional
📋
ISO 27001
Information Security
Management Systems
⚙️
IEC 62443
Industrial Automation
& Control Systems Security
🔐
ISO 22301
Business Continuity
Management Systems