Greetings, traveler. Welcome to my cozy hovel, please make yourself comfortable and let me blather about myself for a while. I’ll start with my work history and interests, then trail off into whatever.
Despite this site and my public identity, I have a deep interest in pursuing a universal right to privacy and anonymity online. Since my days at PCE Systems, when our security consultant would infrequently appear to discuss his red-team results and what’s “going on out there”, I have been captivated by stories of the cybersecurity battlefield and this everlasting privacy warfare.
Passion from the Start
At Barracuda Networks, I acquired inaugural knowledge and skills to construct a firm foundation in cybersecurity. From understanding TTPs used by threat actors in their pursuits of financial gain, I was able to advise customers on the best ways to secure their Barracuda products from threats. My expertise at the time was in email security and I witnessed a few high-profile thefts from the simplest of phishing schemes. Armed with plenty of scripting skills, I began developing tools and scripts for the internal team to use.
When I was hired by PCE Systems, my interests leaned more toward the development of software: architecture, frameworks, and software security. I became very interested in the latter, and to this day the discovery of a WebObjects vulnerability (CVE-2022-37724) holds a special place in my heart. PCE was the first in the world to have the fix to a problem that was lurking for more than two decades.
Though my official work was systems administration and security, I built various tools, one of which was a massive cost-savings: a company-wide PKI with a printing service over HTTPS (relying on certificate authentication). It presented incredible, flexible, immediate, and effective change. Managing inquiries from myriad medical professionals made me realize that I really enjoy helping people and explaining what will work the best for them in the plainest words I can muster.
Transition to Software Engineering
After my time with PCE, I found Galactic Advisors, where I was hired as a full-stack developer. Aside from the many different technologies I was exposed to in this remote position, my proudest highlight is the discovery of a serious XSS privilege escalation in our web framework. I put together an extensive PowerPoint and trivially social-engineered our own tech support on a live call with our CEO. When the JavaScript payload triggered and my new admin account was created, the CEO and other leaders were ready to do whatever it would take to make sure it could never happen again outside that teleconference.
I now find myself at General Dynamics Land Systems working with embedded cyber systems and continuing to chase battles. Being a part of the legacy of the M1 Abrams tank and other battlefield systems is a dream come true. The daily work I do gives me freedom to explore my curiosities and to be a key part of something much larger than myself.
The Future
With my newly-acquired Master’s degree now supporting my journey, I feel more ready than ever to make an even greater difference than ever before. I truly thrive in a setting where I can infectiously express unbridled passion about what I do, with others around me who love to collaborate and share a mission. Cyber warfare is indeed a real threat (one of the hardest-hitting, too), and I am ready to give everything I can to the winning side.
As of updating this (September 2024), I have a primary interest in maintaining my own open-source projects, entertaining various helpful project ideas, advancing the topic of my Master’s Thesis through the IETF, and building my own family.
Who am I?
- Husband
- Brother
- Friend
- Parishioner
- Neighbor
- Mentor
I’m just a simple man with deep passions, a drive to help where I can, and a love for all creation.
What am I?
A systems administrator software engineer for embedded systems by day; a tinkerer, consultant, and lackadaisical developer by night.
Where am I?
- Spending time with my little family
- Fixing the house
- Working
- At a terminal
- Gardening
- Avoiding my debt to the Sandman
- Enjoying the calm breeze of a late summer evening
- Frosting in the dead of a northern winter
Pick any!
When am I?
I am then and I am now, and to the limit of my senses I am yet to be.
Why am I?
That probably requires a couple more kilobytes to discuss!
How am I?
I’m great, thanks!