Recently, I found myself thinking about certification exams again. It had been several months since I last sat for a major certification exam, and while reviewing some of Microsoft’s newer AI certifications, I started asking myself a simple question: What should I take next? That led me down a rabbit hole of reviewing Microsoft’s current… Read More: Microsoft Security and AI Certification Roadmap »
I was introduced to the Copilot Earth project late last year, and that got me thinking about how a similar concept could be applied to security. The idea of visualizing activity at a global level, enriched and interactive, felt like something that should exist for a SOC. From there, one idea led to another. I… Read More: Adventures in Vibe Coding »
My oldest child is a game design major. The program is very anti-AI. That reaction is understandable when you are trying to learn the fundamentals of a craft. Nobody wants shortcuts replacing real skill while they are still trying to master the basics. One thing that surprised me is how many students in the program… Read More: Game Design in the Age of Vibe Coding »
I write a lot of prompts. Easily dozens a day at this point. Between experimenting with ideas, vied coding , vibe learning, asking questions, and drafting content, a good part of my day involves typing into some kind of LLM prompt. The odd part is that I have never been a great typist, despite thousands… Read More: Is LLM Prompting Causing Bad Typing Habits? »
I was reminded of something recently that I have been aware of for a long time. The first time it was explained clearly to me was many years ago during a presentation on profit strategies for video game arcades. The core idea is simple. People behave differently when they feel like they are spending money.… Read More: Pricing Misdirection Improves User Adoption »
As we enter the winter months and holiday season, when many of us will struggle to maintain or lose weight due to colder weather, a natural inclination to hibernate, and all those tempting holiday meals, I wanted to share my weight loss journey. This is not my typical post on AI, security, or career, but… Read More: 60 pounds in 7 months on Mounjaro »
What It Really Looks Like to Study Artificial Intelligence Online A decade ago, most universities treated artificial intelligence as a single elective buried deep inside computer science. It was the kind of class you took after surviving data structures, algorithms, and a heavy dose of calculus. That began to change in 2018, when Carnegie Mellon… Read More: Looking for an online AI degree? »
Another Unforgettable Black Hat & DEF CON Week I landed in Las Vegas and checked into Circus Circus, a no-frills spot but close enough to DEF CON to make the walk easy. It felt like the right basecamp for a packed week. My 4th hacker summer camp! Tuesday was about arrivals, badges, and parties. I… Read More: Hacker Summer Camp 2025 »
With so many Large Language Models (LLMs or GPTs) available today, how do you know which one to use? The truth is, there isn’t a single “best” model. Instead, the right choice depends on your specific needs and the tools you have at hand. General-Purpose LLMs Text-based LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot are… Read More: Choosing the Best AI Model »
Vibe Learning is a new approach to education that uses AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to create a fast, interactive, and engaging learning experience. By shifting from traditional study methods to conversational exploration, learners can accelerate understanding, focus on what matters, and build knowledge more efficiently.
I was explaining my career progression to a new mentee recently, someone new to IT, and it got me thinking about how, early in life, it can be unclear how someone might transition through multiple jobs or careers. For many, these transitions are driven by interest, necessity such as being laid off, or a drive… Read More: Thinking Back on Career Transitions »
I’m still recovering from my third year at Black Hat and DefCon. The physical and emotional exhaustion, social overload, and post-event sniffles are all signs of a great conference. This year, I added an extra day for the first-ever Black Hat AI Summit. I was drawn to the topic, the networking opportunities, and my usual… Read More: Hacker Summer Camp 2024 »
I returned from my second Hacker Summer Camp a few weeks back, Black Hat and DEF CON, and I’m excited to share my observations and notes. What is Hacker Summer Camp? DEF CON was started by Jeff Moss (known as Dark Tangent) at the age of 18 in 1993, with around 100 attendees, and it… Read More: Hacker Summer Camp 2023 »
There are many opportunities in our professional lives to provide feedback on peers, managers, company direction, instructors, vendors, etc. You may be tempted to use these opportunities to focus on the negative by providing constructive criticism and negatively weighted responses. I suggest that you consider focusing on the positive. Consider that these feedback requests are… Read More: Providing constructive criticism on professional feedback requests »
At some point in your technical career, someone is going to ask you to research a new technology and to educate others on what you learned. Maybe you are a SME, consultant, salesperson, instructor, or you simply drew the short straw. I have been fortunate to experience this process many times in my professional career.… Read More: How to learn like a teacher »
Forged in Fire is a great analogy for a job interview. Forged in Fire is a one-hour blacksmithing competition show where four contestants compete in three rounds to identify the Forged in Fire Champion. Each round involves sword and knife forging competitions. Professional and amateur blacksmiths compete in timed rounds to forge weapons within specific… Read More: 10 Interview Tips Inspired by Forged in Fire »
The Information Technology career field draws people from many industries. If this is your first career or your third career; here are a few tips on how to be awesome at IT Admin. Most IT Admins are not programmers. Learn at least one programming language fluently. For those entering college that means taking the computer… Read More: Tips for IT Career Excellence »
Here are some useful links for job seekers. I will update the list periodically.
Microsoft Specific, Resume Services, Soft Skills, Cyber Learning, Tech Training, Vet Resources, Tech Projects
Here is a list of over 1,000 hours of book recommendations (70 titles) from an audiobook and podcast addict. Walking, driving, shopping, cleaning, or just relaxing. Hopefully I can share my addition with others. May you also get strange looks from onlookers as you laugh unexpectedly or carry a silly grin or intense scowl. Enjoy!… Read More: Audiobook Reading List »
The two most important interview questions in my opinion are around your passion for technology and the company. Interviewers want to know that you are technology focused and that you are particularly interested in serving their organization. How do you stay up on technology? The core of this question is an attempt to assess your… Read More: Two most important technical interview questions »