SANS.edu Success Stories

Q. How did you get interested in cybersecurity?

A. When I was about eight years old, I saw the movie Hackers, and that sparked my interest. I was already into computers because they fascinated me. Later, in my mid-teens, I came across The Hacker's Manifesto, and it really resonated with me.

Cybersecurity, to me, is a natural extension of the idea that everyone has a right to privacy and protection of their data. It's not just about securing companies; it's about ensuring that individuals are protected, often from the companies themselves.

Q. What was your educational experience before joining SANS.edu?

A. I served in the U.S. Navy, where I worked with industrial controls and operational technologies as part of field engineering. My military training gave me a solid foundation in areas like binary, hex, octal, and electrical signals, all of which came in handy later.

I also did a lot of self-study and took a bootcamp with New Horizons, though that wasn't the best experience. However, it did help me build some networking fundamentals. After that, I pursued an associate degree in cybersecurity at a college in Massachusetts. There, I worked with Cisco devices, digital forensics, basic Linux and Windows server setups, and sysadmin tasks like building Active Directory forests.

Although I've tried to learn programming several times, it never clicked. But SANS' Python course was different - I found troubleshooting and debugging code really satisfying, even though I don't enjoy creating new code from scratch.

Q. How did you find out about the SANS Technology Institute?

A. Throughout my career, I've been involved in roles adjacent to cybersecurity, but not directly in security. I worked in sales for companies that partnered with SANS, which gave me some exposure to the organization. I also knew a guy who worked for SANS doing event planning, so I learned more from that side. Additionally, I'm a member of VetSec, a 501(c) nonprofit that works with SANS.

Q. Why did you choose to enroll in the CSF program?

A. I was accepted into the SANS.edu bachelor's degree program but had some challenges with GI Bill funding and transferring credits from my previous education. I was also studying for the CISSP at the time, so I had to put things on hold to work that out.

Eventually, I resolved GI Bill issues and most of the credit transfer issues, but I still have a few more credits to earn before I can graduate from the bachelor's program.

Q. Can you tell me about your experience with the math course in the CSF certificate program?

A. At the beginning, the math course was easy for me because of my background. I had a solid grasp of binary, hex, and conversions from my time in the Navy. However, algebra has always been challenging for me - it feels like you're learning rules that only apply in certain scenarios.

The course became tougher when we moved into topics like trigonometry and matrices. I struggled a bit with the quadratic section, but the great thing about SANS is that I could take the tests multiple times, which helped me work through the areas where I had trouble.

Q. What was your experience like in the Python class?

A. The Python class was a lot of fun and very well structured. It gave me a good introduction to the language and taught me how to navigate Python libraries. My favorite part was troubleshooting code - reading through a program, understanding what it was supposed to do, and finding the bug. That kind of problem-solving felt much more beneficial to me than just writing new programs from scratch.

Q. How was your experience in SEC275 and earning the GFACT certification?

A. I enjoyed the SEC275 course and earning the GFACT certification was straightforward. The course instructor was clear and the pacing was good. I also learned a lot about areas I hadn't worked with before, like 86x architecture and dealing with pointers. It was challenging but rewarding.

Q. Now that you've completed the CSF certificate program and moved on to the SANS.edu bachelor's program, what are your goals?

A. My plan is to move through the bachelor's program as quickly as possible. For my electives, I'm focusing on digital forensics. After I earn my degree, my goal is to apply to law school. I want to come back as a lawyer who has hands-on experience in cybersecurity, with a deep understanding of how technology actually works. Ultimately, I hope to help shape policies that benefit the cybersecurity community. Overall, I'm excited to continue my journey with SANS.edu and see where it takes me.

Q. What's your advice for someone who's considering the Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate program?

A. I would recommend the Cybersecurity Fundamental Certificate program to anyone new to the field. I'd say, come in with an open mind and be ready to learn. Take note of the areas that you really enjoy, as they can guide the direction of your career. On the flip side, if you come across something that frustrates you, don't walk away too quickly. Take the time to understand it - it might just be a matter of perspective or practice. Once it clicks, you'll look back and wonder why it seemed so difficult in the first place.