Aspiring IT Professional

Obsessively Fixated on Networks & Cybersecurity

Hello world, my name is Alan. I’m roughly two years into my journey of breaking into the IT field, with my sights set on cybersecurity as the end goal. Specifically, I’m focused on continuing to build my technical knowledge to become a formidable penetration tester. In these initial two years I’ve acquired the CompTIA A+ & CCNA certifications, both through hours of self-studying and virtual labs. The CompTIA A+ was the perfect foundation to build my technical skills upon. It provided me with knowledge in configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting machines whether it be from a software or hardware perspective. The A+ also introduced me to various other fields within IT: security, cloud, virtualization, networking, etc. With that, I decided to further add to my technical capabilities by continuing to dive into networks and how they operate. This led me to shift my focus towards the Cisco CCNA certification. The CCNA challenged me to quickly understand how the transfer of data is handled from application down to the physical layer. In preparing for this certification’s exam, I was forced to invest countless hours configuring virtual networks within lab environments. This allowed me to grasp the process of engineering systems, subnetting, securing them, and everything in between all through hands-on experience. Now armed with the proper knowledge to administer both machines and the networks that connect them, I am actively seeking an opportunity to apply this newly found skill set under a professional role.

What I’m working on

Raspberry Pi-hole

Configuring a Raspberry Pi 4 to serve as a Pi-hole (ad blocker and DNS server) for my personal home lab.

Projects

Active Directory Domain

Deployed a Windows Server 2016 virtual machine to simulate a main server/domain controller, as well as a Windows 10 VM to serve as an IT help desk machine. Installed the AD Roles and Features service onto the server and enabled Advanced Features on AD Users and Computers, to allow a...

Oracle VirtualBox Hacking Network

Constructed an isolated hacking lab consisting of multiple Linux virtual machines within the Oracle VirtualBox hypervisor. Configured a Kali Linux VM as a primary attacking machine and various Ubuntu VMs to simulate target machines. Modified network configurations to quarantine VMs within a segmented Internal Network. Created a dedicated DHCP server...

Experience

Allied Universal Services, Security Professional
Sacramento, CA | November, 2018 - September, 2024

Formally represented various Sutter Health executive sites by greeting, authorizing, and monitoring the entrance/departure of hundreds of diurnal customers, employees, and third-party vendors. Continually sustained a healthy flow of traffic within site lobbies and oversaw all surrounding areas without any recorded misconducts.
Utilized several security-oriented computer programs such as Genetec, C-CURE, Citrix, and others to persistently survey for suspicious activity. Personally ensured the ceaseless integrity of 20+ entry points by preventing over 10 perimeter breaches at a single administrative site.
Efficiently coordinated the professional reception of 50+ daily phone calls & emails to appropriate parties and personally satisfied any messages, questions, or concerns.
Regularly received, inspected, and maintained accurate logging of all mail directed to assigned worksites and notified recipients of packages or their respective points of contact.

Rite Aid Distribution Center, Warehouse Associate
Woodland, CA | July, 2015 - December, 2018

Operated material handling equipment to effectively assemble 500+ individual liquor products and assure their proper preparation for transport. Faultlessly fulfilling over 6 store location orders per night.
Consistently engaged in communications with other warehouse personnel and strategically aided in accordance. Consequently, maintaining expected productivity rates across multiple departments while completing orders totaling more than 5,000 combined items of merchandise.
Marked inventory using identification tags, barcodes, etc. while continuously upholding standard HIPAA regulations. Assured accurate distribution to assigned destinations while frequently inspecting products for defects.

Radial Tire Center Inc., Warehouse Associate
West Sacramento, CA | January, 2015 - December, 2015

Served as the medium between tire warehouse and attached tire repair center. Fulfilled over 50 part orders for on-site technicians and external deliveries made throughout daily shift.
Meticulously recorded stock computations by comparing physical counts to system databases, investigating discrepancies, and punctually adjusting errors.
Stored items in an orderly and accessible manner within warehouse storage areas ensuring precise inventory rotation.

Allied Universal Services, Security Supervisor
San Diego, CA | September, 2024 - December, 2024

Routinely lead a team of 7+ security officers in the operations of maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for over a thousand daily customers, employees, and vendors at the upscale Westfield UTC shopping and entertainment center.
Personally record all major incidents that occur while on duty by accurately documenting any available information and preparing detailed written reports for Westfield UTC management, local police, or any interested parties that require written attestation of a particular event.
Frequently serve as the security dispatch, answering 75+ daily calls/emails directed to site security and ensuring no incident goes unresolved or unreported. While simultaneously monitoring over 100 CCTV cameras for any suspicious activity or possible threats to the site and its patrons.
Respond to any escalated event that cannot be handled by an assigned security officer or on-scene UTC employee. Promptly deescalating the situation and ensuring all involved individuals are treated appropriately and provided with resolutions to their respective concerns.

Certifications

CCNA

CompTIA A+

Badges & Skills

Education

Diploma

River City High School August, 2010 - June, 2014