I am deeply immersed in the vibrant world of cybersecurity, actively engaging with the community through meetups and participating in renowned events like the Portland and Seattle BSides. My passion for sharing insights on conquering the CompTIA Security+ exam, offering creative ideas for home-lab setups, and gleaning knowledge from fellow enthusiasts is unwavering. This constant exchange often sparks fresh projects that find their place on my ever-expanding list of home initiatives. Reflecting on my journey within this dynamic community, I’m astounded by how far I’ve come and the path that brought me here.
The year 2020, marked by global shutdowns, presented an opportunity for me to explore a new skill – lock picking. Motivated by my fascination with the world of Skyrim, I embarked on this journey from the comfort of my home, leveraging instructional content on platforms like YouTube. In no time, the platform’s algorithm led me to discover DEFCON-related videos, revealing the fascinating interplay between hacking and lock picking, two subjects I had long been intrigued by.
My interest in hacking had simmered in the background due to my prior role as a Chef, which left little room for exploration. With the restaurant doors closed during the pandemic, the notion of ‘where to begin’ with this newfound curiosity gained prominence. Seeking a solid foundation, I initiated my learning journey with CompTIA A+ and AZ-900, even if I didn’t pursue certification exams. These courses provided me with the confidence to leap into TryHackMe, where I went on to secure multiple certificates and attain a top-ranking position within the site’s top 1%.
With this background, I transitioned into a new career, and my quest for knowledge continues unabated. Beyond my professional growth, I actively contribute to the cybersecurity field by maintaining a blog, honing my programming and scripting skills in languages like C, Python, PowerShell, and SQL, and dedicating my time to volunteer in addressing cybersecurity challenges