Security enthusiast | Geocacher | Objectivist | Blogger | Researcher | Speaker | Amateur media critic | Wannabe toucan owner
Washington, DC (NoMA)
I am a second-year student in the Ph.D. Cyber Operations (PhDCO) program at DSU, just starting my career in the industry and striving to make technology more secure and accessible for everyone. My research interests are in system and network forensics, open-source intelligence, and disinformation.
I frequently participate in computer security red/blue competitions, Capture the Flag tournaments, and STEM outreach events around the world. Currently, I am researching ways to apply OSINT to search and rescue missions, law enforcement cases, and threat intelligence. I also enjoy being a lifelong student by incorporating other disciplines and perspectives into my activities, from psychology and sociology to philosophy, journalism, communications, and political science.
In my spare time, I am often updating my blog, volunteering with STEM and environmental campaigns around DC, or doing adventurous activities such as geocaching and bouldering. In the future, I hope to learn to fly a paramotor and adopt a rescue toucan.
Technical, professional, educational, and volunteer involvements
I was awarded the National Science Foundation's CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) while attending RIT to recognize my academic achievements and personal commitment to making national systems and data more secure and accountable to civilians.
I was also the recipient of the International Systems Security Association (ISSA)'s Howard A. Schmidt Award in honor of the past president of the ISSA International Board, presidential computer security adviser, and US-CERT chief security strategist, as well as the Black Hat Student Scholarship. I was awarded these scholarships due to my academics, activities, and desire to work in national security.
I currently hold ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM), CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+), and Cisco Certified Cyber Ops Associate (CCCOA), as well as membership in the GIAC Advisory Board and other certifications. Certifications complement my academics, extracurriculars, and work experience, and I see them as an excellent way to validate and reinforce my growing skillset.
I plan to obtain further certifications in security analytics and blue team operations soon. These certifications will validate the skills I have learned through classes, personal and club projects, internships, and competitions.
FIRST, H4D, CyberForce
I volunteer for the FIRST Robotics competition as part of my goal to improve STEM education and extracurricular opportunities for students in rural areas. I was previously recognized by Scholarship America and the ACT for this commitment. I continue working towards this goal by mentoring Hacking for Defense (H4D) teams at various universities and assisting with DoE CyberForce to bring STEM, CS, and security skills to all levels of education.
I also advocate for cybersecurity proficiency and the technology workforce in the federal government. As part of Hackers on the Hill, I met with the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to address the cyber talent gap and the shortfalls in federal, state, and local cybersecurity employees.
Employment, education, and skills
Employment
Washington, DC
The executive branch of the United States federal government is responsible for the day-to-day operation of federal departments and agencies.
Operations Development Program
Diversity Tour
Offensive Operations Tour
Defensive Operations Tour
Core Training; Superior Teammate Award
Offensive Operations Tour (continued)
Cooperative Education Development Program
Offensive Operations Tour
Research & Development Tour
Defensive Operations Tour; Go Get 'AM Award
Enterprise Architecture Tour
National Security Engineering Center; Bedford, MA
MITRE works in the public interest across federal, state, and local governments, as well as industry and academia, to bring innovative ideas into existence in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, quantum information science, health informatics, space security, policy and economic expertise, trustworthy autonomy, cyber threat sharing, and cyber resilience.
Cyber Operations, Parsons Government Services; Centreville, VA
Parsons is a leading disruptive technology provider in the national security and global infrastructure markets, with capabilities across cyber, space and missile defense, transportation, environmental remediation, urban development, and critical infrastructure protection.
Education
Ph.D. Cyber Operations
M.S. Computing Security
B.S. Computing Security
A.A. Liberal Arts and Sciences
Nevis High School, Minnesota Class of 2017
Diplomas are available on Parchment
I'm giving back the scholarships I earned for my undergraduate education! Currently, I've donated $865 / $19,000 (as of January 2024).
Skills
Languages
Assembly Bash C Java MATLAB P4 PowerShell Python SQLTechnologies
ANB Autopsy Cobalt Strike Cuckoo Docker FTK IDA Kali Jupyter SIFT sklearn Snort VolatilityCommunication
Agile Curriculum Development Metacognition Public Speaking Technical WritingDetailed work experience, classes, and testimonials are available on my Resume
Some fun stuff about me
Travel
Quotes
If you don't know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn.
A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open.
I never lose. Either I win or I learn.
There's a voice in the universe that holds the truth of all those who walk the earth. I believe that we are born for reasons we do not understand - and it is up to us to discover those reasons. That is your only task. If you are brave enough to sit and listen to the voice of the universe in the silence that lives within you, then you will always know what matters - and you will know too that you matter more to the universe than you will ever know.
Conquer anger with lack of anger; bad with good; stinginess with a gift; a liar with truth.
A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.
Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.
The question is not who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.
Be a nuisance where it counts. Be depressed, discouraged, and disappointed at failure and the disheartening effects of ignorance, greed, corruption and bad politics—but never give up.
I am rich no matter what I lose. I'd rather risk it all to find the truth.
This whole time, I thought changing the world was something you did, an act you performed, something you fought for. I don't know if that's true any more. What if changing the world was just about being here, by showing up no matter how many times we get told we don't belong, by staying true even when we are shamed into being false, by believing in ourselves even when we're told we're too different? And if we all held on to that, if we refuse to budge and fall in line, if we stood our ground for long enough, just maybe the world can't help but change around us.
Get in touch with me
Wyatt Tauber, 2024 | View the code for this website on GitHub