Although a resume displays a person’s expertise, it does not reveal the full picture. Here, on my Skills page, you will find my top three valuable skills for my career path and several projects, papers, and coursework to support them. These skills comprise not only what I know (i.e., hard skills) but also how I act (i.e., soft skills). Together, they represent a fuller picture of my professional background.

These three skills are digital forensics, networking, and communication.

1. Digital Forensics

Understanding the basics of digital forensics, such as being familiar/adept at forensic tools (e.g., Autopsy), is essential. Without a strong background, the errors a digital forensic analyst makes not only pose a threat to their career but also to the integrity of the evidence they handle, which in turn harms the criminal justice system. It is imperative to be knowledgeable, diligent, and honest. The three assignments below demonstrate the work and experience I handled while taking a digital forensics course (CYSE 407).

• Digital Forensics Midterm Assignment (CYSE 407)
  • For my midterm, I was tasked with designing a digital forensic lab for a fictional mid-sized police department. I had to model the lab itself, list accreditation bodies and standards, list needed software and hardware for the lab, create a maintenance plan, and develop job descriptions for employees. It shows familiarity with the requirements of digital forensics labs in order to function.
• Digital Forensics Final Assignment (CYSE 407)
  • For my final assignment, I was tasked with creating a report for a fictional cybercrime, complete with a breakdown of how I properly extracted data from several devices. It involved extensive research on using digital forensic software I was not particularly familiar with at the time. Technology evolves, and so does digital forensics. Professionals within the field must adapt to change.
• Lab 13-1: Cloud Forensics Assignment for Digital Forensics (CYSE 407)
  • This task assigned me to search through the hexadecimal values of a photograph located on a cloud platform to verify its date and authenticity. In the digital forensic field, it is an absolute necessity to ensure that data is accurately captured; respecting the chain of custody is required, and it shows diligence.

2. Networking

Network administration requires knowledge of network monitoring tools (e.g., Wireshark), how packets move through a network (e.g., OSI Model), firewalls, IP addresses, and various Internet protocols that determine the structure and content of packets. Without such a foundation, a modern business or organization cannot operate properly. The three assignments below demonstrate the work and experience I handled while taking various courses in cybersecurity and programming.

• Library Socket Programming Project for Basic Cybersecurity Programming and Networking Class (CYSE 250)
  • For this final project in my programming class, I created a server that had a repository of books, and it functioned as if it were a library. Though the client was local to my computer, I had to configure how the server would transfer data to the client.
• Lab Report for Cybersecurity Techniques & Operations Class (CYSE 301)
  • In this laboratory session, I was tasked with analyzing unusual traffic using a packet-sniffing software, Wireshark. These basic tools are commonly used to diagnose network issues, which are frequent in any IT environment. They can also reveal threats to cybersecurity.
• Cisco Packet Tracer Demonstration
  • While following assignment instructions, I created a broad overviews virtual networks on Cisco’s Packet Tracer, which includes laptops, PCs, routers, switches, and other devices typically used in an office setting. It’s essential for professionals to be familiar with how a network is connected, especially when troubleshooting.

3. Communication

Communication, written and verbal, is the basis of any interaction. The ability to articulate thoughts and ideas in a concise, comprehensible manner is crucial for all types of businesses. Any good employee must know how to handle a customer or client, as they are what drive success. The three assignments below demonstrate the work and experience I handled while taking various courses throughout my years at Old Dominion University.