Mazen Hesham

Manage and lead IT audits with a strong focus on cybersecurity, payment systems, regulatory compliance (SAMA, NCA, PCI DSS), and IT General Controls (ITGC). Conduct comprehensive audits on critical payment platforms, including RTGS, SWIFT, and Instant Payments, ensuring transaction security and compliance with ISO 20022 standards. Perform detailed assessments of the bank’s cybersecurity framework, with an emphasis on NCA Data Cybersecurity Controls (DCC), to identify vulnerabilities in data protection, encryption, and access controls. Oversee evaluations of data classification processes, ensuring robust governance and compliance. Performed a PCI-DSS compliance audit by assessing secure network architecture, cardholder data protection, vulnerability management, access controls, and system monitoring. Identified compliance gaps, provided actionable remediation strategies, and collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement solutions. Delivered a comprehensive compliance status report to senior management, ensuring alignment with PCI-DSS requirements and integration into the bank’s broader cybersecurity and governance frameworks. Supervise audit teams in executing risk assessments and developing strategies to mitigate cybersecurity and operational risks. Prepare detailed audit reports for senior stakeholders, offering recommendations to strengthen control environments and address key risk areas. Maintain close collaboration with internal departments and external regulators to ensure ongoing compliance with evolving cybersecurity, BCM, and IT governance standards.

I lead a cutting-edge consultancy specializing in transformative payment solutions and cross-border financial services. Our firm is at the forefront of facilitating seamless, secure, and efficient international transactions, leveraging the latest in blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital payment technologies. We are committed to pioneering innovative strategies that enhance global payment systems, ensuring our clients achieve unparalleled operational efficiency and competitive advantage in the dynamic financial landscape. Our expertise empowers financial institutions to navigate the complexities of international commerce with agility and precision.I lead a cutting-edge consultancy specializing in transformative payment solutions and cross-border financial services. Our firm is at the forefront of facilitating seamless, secure, and efficient international transactions, leveraging the latest in blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital payment technologies. We are committed to pioneering innovative strategies that enhance global payment systems, ensuring our clients achieve unparalleled operational efficiency and competitive advantage in the dynamic financial landscape. Our expertise empowers financial institutions to navigate the complexities of international commerce with agility and precision.

Led strategic overhaul of payment systems, transitioning from ISO 15022 MT to ISO 20022 MX, aligning with global standards and enhancing system modernization. In collaboration with sales teams, I drove customer engagement and revenue growth, leveraging my expertise in payment solutions and market trends. My role also involved managing a cross-functional team, fostering an environment of innovation and professional growth, while establishing myself as a key subject matter expert in the payments industry. Providing Insights on cutting-edge payment technologies and processes for Banks in France. Overseeing key client relationships, delivering tailored payment solutions, and providing strategic insights into emerging payment trends and technologies. Spearheaded risk management and compliance initiatives to ensure adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements. Contributed to financial planning and budget management for the payments practice, optimizing resources to enhance profitability.

While delivering effective services as Manager, key duties include: Directing all facets of business processes, including conducting audits, providing training, developing / executing designs, and organising solutions focused on “heart of business” issues across banking, insurance, life sciences, and public sectors; analysing and performing audits on bank’s payment systems to ensure compliance with standard regulations and internal / international policies; reviewing and assessing financial data to identify and mitigate any potential risks, while providing key strategies to enhance business development; collaborating with key stakeholders across payment industry bodies, banks / payment providers, and businesses to resolve complex operational issues; organising and conducting market research / analysis, including delivering insights and evaluating / implementing analytical frameworks; leading teams across various business units and sectors to improve business efficacy; ensuring company's success by driving business development, generating leads, and responding effectively to client's requests for proposals; processing audit recommendations and issues regarding the payment process and systems. developing budgets and coordinating with management / audit team to compile reports with focus on identifying payment system risks, including audit, systemic, cyber, reputational, and operational risk. Key accomplsihments: • Achieved $790,000 in cost-savings by assessing and revising business contracts. • Delivered quality assurance as internal audit consultant by mitigating risks, such as frauds, penalties, and financial losses. • Covered up to 70% of payment system, including SWIFT, International payment systems (host-to-host and cross-border systems), payroll systems, and instant payments. • Designed and utilised key business growth strategies by evaluating management control weaknesses and recommending value-added remedies.

Key duties for DXC Technology include: Serving as Principal Engagement Consultant for Buna Payment Platform to onboard banks and central banks across GCC and MENA Region; conceptualising structured collateral for instant payment ecosystem solution for onboarding banking partners. operating as Subject Matter Expert (SME) of technical team, composed of six members by providing knowledge on central bank and bank concepts, functional architecture framework, process design, payment schemes, standards, and operating rules based on operational banking functions such as banking/corporate payment, instant/B2B payment and transactional/wholesale banking; organising data and business analysis focused on functional rules and application, LLD & HLD design, operating rules, SOA Technology, application flow and architectural framework, banking and payment schemes to be used as contributing factors in IT infrastructure planning, development, system integration, and quality assurance in order to generate credible Impact Analysis Report. My proudest achievements: • Recognised for developing payment market infrastructure (Buna) system (RTGS and IPS) for client; ArabMonatery Funds. • Facilitated system integration and provided technical details on functional flow, operational process in a real-time gross settlement system in multi-currency aligned with SWIFT & Private Network Cross-Border Remittances, RTGS and WPS for UAE , KSA , Jordan , Egypt , and US Payment Schemes in parallel to ISO 20022 payment standards. • Reduced 30% expense costs by delivering concrete financial reporting results on payment application issues based on financial analysis and financial advisory. • Achieved up to 90% efficiency and reduced 30% complaints by improving customer service support system for stakeholders, client representatives, third parties, management representatives, and technical SMEs aimed at tracking measurable performance data and identifying trends.

Major duties include: Delivering outstanding customer service support, including information gathering, identifying, and resolving customer concerns and issues; marketing banking products and services tailored to client's needs and ensured completion of complex financial transactions; reviewing account opening forms for accuracy, verifying cheques, endorsing and issuing cash receipts, and updating bank's database. Proudest accomplishments: • Improved overall business efficiency by streamlining operations and developing / implementing recommendations.

While working for Golden Way Company, key duties include: Processing accounts payable and accounts receivables, generating aging reports for managers, evaluating employee wages for payroll, and depositing and issuing cheques; updating coded purchase and sales invoices to ledger; compiling final accounts and supporting managers in audit preparations; directing account and bank reconciliations; delivering critical accounting services, such as creation and processing of invoices and financial documentation transactions. Key accomplsihments: • Recognised for creating company-wide invoice and balance sheet templates effectively. • Demonstrated tact and diligence whilst tracking and collecting past due payments. • Developed and met achievable budgets and accurate forecasts by collaborating with colleagues.

While working for Golden Way Company, key duties include: Processing accounts payable and accounts receivables, generating aging reports for managers, evaluating employee wages for payroll, and depositing and issuing cheques; updating coded purchase and sales invoices to ledger; compiling final accounts and supporting managers in audit preparations; directing account and bank reconciliations; delivering critical accounting services, such as creation and processing of invoices and financial documentation transactions. Key accomplsihments: • Recognised for creating company-wide invoice and balance sheet templates effectively. • Demonstrated tact and diligence whilst tracking and collecting past due payments. • Developed and met achievable budgets and accurate forecasts by collaborating with colleagues.