Journal
Notes from web development, networking, security, and broader technical learning — practical, dated, and tied back to hands-on work.
Active Directory Fundamentals — Understanding the Core Architecture
Explored the fundamentals of Active Directory and how AD DS, Domain Controllers, DNS, Kerberos, LDAP, and Group Policy work together to provide centralized identity and management in a Windows domain.
How Spanning Tree Prevents Layer 2 Loops
Redundancy helps keep networks available when links or devices fail, but redundant Layer 2 paths can also create switching loops. In this journal, I explain how Spanning Tree Protocol uses BPDUs, a root bridge, path costs, and port roles to keep redundant links available without allowing frames to loop endlessly through the network.
What Building a Multi-Site Network Taught Me
Designed and configured a multi-site enterprise network from scratch using VLSM, VLANs, router-on-a-stick, multilayer switching, and static routing. This lab strengthened my understanding of subnetting, VLAN segmentation, and inter-VLAN communication through hands-on practice.
From Networking to Network Security
Since I was already learning networking alongside Connect and Protect: Networks and Network Security, most of the network fundamentals were familiar to me. What stood out more was learning how those same concepts are used from a security perspective—analyzing packets, detecting network attacks, hardening different environments, and applying a structured framework when responding to an incident.
Understanding How Security Operations Work
Play It Safe: Manage Security Risks, helped me understand how cybersecurity is actually managed inside an organization. I learned how frameworks guide security decisions, and how analysts use SIEM tools, logs, dashboards, alerts, and playbooks together to investigate activity, respond to incidents, and decide what needs to happen next.
The Beginning of My Cybersecurity Journey
Foundations of Cybersecurity, introduced me to the broader responsibilities of a security analyst and how analysts help protect organizations in practice. I also explored security frameworks and controls, and how tools such as SIEM, logs, playbooks, Python, and SQL work together to monitor systems, investigate suspicious activity, and respond to security incidents.