Certifications

Every cert on this page represents a decision. Technology moves fast and staying relevant means staying committed. This page is my public roadmap. It keeps me accountable and shows exactly where I am headed.

I am not collecting certifications for the sake of having them. Each one builds directly on the last and moves me closer to a career in cybersecurity and technology. The order is intentional. The timeline is real.

Currently Pursuing

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CompTIA A+ — Expected Summer 2026

The A+ is where everything starts. It covers the fundamentals of hardware, software, operating systems, networking basics, and technical troubleshooting. Before you can secure a system you have to understand how it works. Before you can diagnose a network problem you have to know what a network is made of. The A+ gives me that foundation in a structured and industry recognized format.

I already have hands on experience with Windows, macOS, iOS, and hardware repair from my time at Refresh Computers and Transcom. This certification puts a credential behind that experience.

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CompTIA Network+

Once I understand how individual systems work the next step is understanding how they communicate. Network+ covers network architecture, protocols, routing, switching, and network troubleshooting. This is the layer that connects everything and it is essential knowledge for anyone working in cybersecurity or IT infrastructure.

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CompTIA Security+

Security+ is the one that opens doors. It is one of the most widely recognized and frequently required certifications in the cybersecurity industry and is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense. It covers threat management, cryptography, identity management, network security, and risk mitigation. This is where the path toward a SOC analyst role gets real.

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CompTIA Linux+

Most enterprise environments and servers run on Linux. If you want to work in cybersecurity at a serious level you need to be comfortable in a Linux environment. Linux+ covers command line operations, system administration, security, and scripting. It is a critical step toward more advanced offensive and defensive security work.

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On the Roadmap:

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PenTest+ Penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. Learning how attackers think in order to better defend against them.

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CySA+ Cybersecurity analyst skills including threat detection, data analysis, and incident response. Directly aligned with a SOC analyst career path.

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Certified Ethical Hacker One of the most recognized offensive security certifications in the industry. A long term goal that requires a strong foundation first.

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CCNA Cisco's networking certification that goes deeper than Network+ and is widely respected in enterprise environments.

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Why This Order

The progression is deliberate. A+ builds the hardware and software foundation. Network+ adds the connectivity layer. Security+ introduces protection and risk. Linux+ adds the operating system depth. Everything after that goes further into offensive security, threat analysis, and advanced networking.

Each step prepares me for the next one. That is how I approach everything.