Quick Update: August 2024

Summer is almost over, and it's been busy here at The Broken Castle. Let's dive right into what's been happening in my neck of the woods:

Security+ Vanquished; The Next Challenger Awaits

I had just begun studying for the CompTIA Sec+ exam when we last met. After a few weeks of reading, labwork, and a god-awful amount of practice tests, I came through victorious. I'm not going to lie; I went into this test far more confident than I did with my Network+ exam. It might be because the test is security-focused, which is where my studies for the past few years have focused. Or it could be the copious amount of caffeine I accidentally ingested that morning. Either way, one down and many more to go.

Lab Time Delayed Due to Inflatable Mattress

I started a new cloud lab but immediately stopped, thanks to family visiting us for the summer. My home lab (i.e., my sweet laptop and monitor setup) became temporarily occupied by my sister-in. Then, a pair of rascally preteens that I am honor-bound to care for in the event tragedy strikes their parents (I'm a godparent, if you will). Now that extraneous family members have vacated the premises, expect an update on my lab work soon.

Hacker Summer Camp!

I got a Veteran's Scholarship to Black Hat USA 2024! I'm actually finishing up this article in my Las Vegas hotel room while two drunk a-holes debate football within earshot of my window. Once I'm back home, I'll do a write-up and swag review. Viva Las Vegas!

DoD Skillbridge Approved after Vicious Battle against the Bureaucracy

Following my Sec+ exam, I was accepted to the US VALOR Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program and will begin work this October. Despite the Marine Corps' recent attempts to curtail Skillbridge participation, I will now finish my last few months on active duty preparing for my next career move. Suck it, Kyle.

Building Cybersecurity Policies with Assurance Range

I was also accepted into an Assurance Range: Cybersecurity Internship cohort. From July to August, a handful of cybersecurity students and I will assist a non-profit organization in improving its cybersecurity posture by helping them develop formal cybersecurity policies. Thus far, it's been a great experience working with the instructor staff and learning to apply security concepts to a real-world scenario.

Helping Expand a Non-profit's Social Media Reach 34,200%

I recently volunteered to become a social media manager to assist the Leader Transition Institute (LTI) with expanding its outreach. LTI does incredible work for our veteran community, providing first-class training free to veterans and having some of the most dedicated professionals out there walking beside the military community. Please give us a follow on Instagram and consider supporting this fantastic organization.