Network Documentation & Technical Systems
General Dynamics Information Technology
Drafter III
My experience as a Drafter III at GDIT brought me closer to information technology and networking.
I created detailed network diagrams and worked with network engineers to document technical environments. I used tools including AutoCAD, Visio, and SolidWorks while maintaining technical documentation as network changes occurred.
This position helped me understand the importance of visualizing and documenting technical systems.
A network diagram is more than a picture. It provides a way for technical professionals to understand relationships between systems, devices, connections, and infrastructure.
Skills Developed
- Network documentation
- Technical drawing
- Systems visualization
- Collaboration with engineers
- Documentation management
- Attention to detail
- Technical communication
- Computer-aided design
Connection to Cybersecurity
This experience has been particularly valuable to my cybersecurity career because security professionals need to understand the environment they are protecting.
Knowing how systems connect helps me better understand:
Assets → Networks → Services → Vulnerabilities → Security Controls → Risk
My experience documenting networks gave me an appreciation for the importance of understanding the entire environment rather than focusing on one individual device.
Cybersecurity Operations
General Dynamics Information Technology
IT/Security Analyst
My current experience represents the next stage of my professional development: applying my technical background directly to cybersecurity.
As an IT/Security Analyst, I work with vulnerability assessment, security monitoring, system hardening, security audits, and network security. My responsibilities include using Nessus to identify vulnerabilities and Splunk to conduct security audits and analyze security information. I also participate in vulnerability remediation and maintain an air-gapped environment containing servers, switches, and Windows hosts.
I also work with security baselines and hardening requirements, including DISA STIGs and CIS Benchmarks. My work includes creating Splunk queries to identify anomalies, compliance issues, and potential threats.
This experience has allowed me to take concepts that I learned through my cybersecurity education and apply them in a professional environment.
Areas of Experience
Vulnerability Management
Identifying vulnerabilities, evaluating security issues, and supporting remediation efforts.
Security Monitoring
Using Splunk and security data to identify anomalies, compliance concerns, and potential threats.
System Hardening
Applying security requirements such as DISA STIGs and CIS Benchmarks to improve system security.
Network Security
Working within an air-gapped environment and considering the security of servers, switches, and Windows hosts.
Security Auditing
Using security information and technical evidence to evaluate systems and identify potential issues.
What This Experience Has Taught Me
My current position has changed the way I think about cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity is not simply about finding vulnerabilities. A vulnerability is only the beginning of the process.
A security professional must be able to:
Identify → Analyze → Prioritize → Communicate → Remediate → Verify
That process requires technical knowledge, analytical thinking, documentation, communication, and collaboration.
Those are the same three skill areas represented throughout this portfolio.
Connecting My Experiences
Looking at my career as a whole, I can see that each position prepared me for the next.
Navy
Technical knowledge + Leadership + Communication
↓
Engineering
Systems thinking + Requirements + Precision
↓
Network Documentation
Technical systems + Networking + Documentation
↓
Cybersecurity
Security analysis + Vulnerability management + Monitoring + Risk
My career has therefore not been a series of unrelated jobs. Each experience added another layer to my professional skillset.
My Navy experience taught me how to communicate and lead. My engineering experience taught me how to analyze systems and follow technical requirements. My network documentation experience taught me how technical environments are structured and documented. My cybersecurity experience has allowed me to combine these skills with security knowledge.
Education & Professional Development
Old Dominion University
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
My academic experience at Old Dominion University has provided the formal cybersecurity foundation that connects my previous technical experience to my current career.
Through my coursework, I have studied areas including:
- Cybersecurity
- Networking
- Operating systems
- Cryptography
- Digital forensics
- Cybersecurity policy
- Risk and security controls
- Cybersecurity research
- Interdisciplinary problem solving
The interdisciplinary nature of my program has been particularly valuable because cybersecurity problems rarely exist within a single discipline.
Technical knowledge helps me understand the system.
Research helps me understand the problem.
Policy helps me understand the environment.
Communication helps me explain the risk.
Professional experience helps me determine how the solution can actually be implemented.
Professional Certifications
My professional development also includes industry certifications that complement my academic education.
CompTIA Security+
Provides a broad foundation in cybersecurity principles, security operations, risk management, and security technologies.
GIAC GFACT
Demonstrates foundational knowledge across information security and cybersecurity concepts.
GIAC GSEC
Demonstrates practical knowledge of information security and the ability to apply security concepts in technical environments.
These certifications are important to my development, but I view them as complements to experience rather than replacements for it.
The combination of education + certifications + professional experience is what has prepared me for my current cybersecurity career.