Cyber mania and a pinch of python

Welcome back…..

So these past two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind of cyber adventures and heartwarming moments that have left me excited. Let me fill you in on the latest chapters of my journey:

Virtually Testing Foundation.

I landed a role as a Cyber Security Validation Analyst at the VTF University? . I'm already on week two, and let me tell you, it's been quite a ride! To say that the experience has been intense would be an understatement. You know, here we work and also learn on the job. How cool is that? I know, am so lucky to be here. I Love it. In the first week alone, the assignments given seemed to pile up faster than I could keep track of. I had to submit not just one, but three course badges from AttackIQ along with a slew of other assignments. It was enough to make anyone feel a little crazy. But you know what? I'm resilient, I thrive on conquering these seemingly overwhelming challenges. I've learned to embrace the chaos and rise above it. It's in these moments of trial and triumph that true growth happens.?

Some of the technical topics? I've learned so far at the Virtually Testing Foundation are Foundations of operationalizing Mitre Att&ck v13,Top Att&ck Techniques, Application of att&ck Navigator, Attack Flow v2, Introduction to Fin6 Emulation plan and MenuPass emulation plan execution. all these offered by AttackIQ . You see those courses there, yeah? I am bursting with knowledge, I can use the attack navigator tool, am conversant with attack flows and emulation plans, I am doing hard things.? And you know what they say about doing hard things? That famous quote by Theodore Roosevelt that goes, "Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain and difficulty." It emphasizes the idea that doing hard things is worthwhile and necessary for personal growth and achieving meaningful accomplishments. But here's the thing, these topics weren't exactly hard in the traditional sense, they were just? different, unexplored territories that I never imagined I'd venture into. And boy, am I glad I did! It's like opening a treasure chest of knowledge and discovering shiny gems I never knew existed. So since we are in this together I encourage you to go do that hard thing you are afraid of doing, trust me, you will not regret.?

Soft skills training sessions that take place once a week at VTF are already making a profound impact on my life, helping me grow into a better-rounded individual with each passing week. It turns out that achieving success in any field requires a complete package of skills. Additionally, the highlight of my week is the highly anticipated debate session. Within our workplace, we are divided into different groups, and I proudly belong to Team Bravo. These debate sessions tackle thought-provoking topics that shed light on the intricate complexities of the cybersecurity world. Engaging in these debates is not only intellectually stimulating but also a fantastic opportunity for learning and personal growth. Well my team may not have snagged first place yet in either of the weeks? (let's just say second last has been our lucky spot), but hey, we all have to start somewhere, right? We were still finding our groove. Next week, Team Bravo will be coming in strong. Oh, and here's the fun part. I'm proud to say that in week one we managed to defeat Team Delta, where my buddies Joshua Karisa and Janet Oluwatoyin Olabode are members. A team had to be the last so thank you to team Delta for securing that spot for us. No hard feelings, Joshua and Janet, you know I still adore you.

AWS/restart program

Now, in another chapter of my life. I was In week four and five of the AWS re/start Cloud Computing Program. In week 4? the topic was security. While I like to consider myself an experienced veteran in security concepts ( confident chuckle), this week took my knowledge to a whole new level. I discovered fresh insights and deepened my understanding in this critical domain. Let's just say I added a few extra tools to my cybersecurity utility belt. Now, here's where things got interesting. Week five rolled in like a gangster on me, bringing with it the topic of the Python programming language. Oh boy, let me be honest with you guys, I hit a roadblock. It felt like my brain decided to take an unscheduled vacation or something. Maybe it was a case of fatigue, or perhaps my attitude needed a little adjustment. It was a struggle.

But you know what saved the day? My amazing peers in Team Maxthon. They were my lifeline during this challenging period. I would have been lost at sea without their support. I conquered the topic though, turns out I just needed to concentrate. I am a cyber girl, and nothing is too difficult for me to master.

Let me take a moment to give a shout-out to the tutors in this program. They are beyond amazing. Trust me when I say this program is the real deal. They hold your hand every step of the way, ensuring you don't feel like you're drowning. And my peers? They are amazing? too! Seriously, everyone in this program has a heart of gold. It's a community where knowledge flows freely, and helping one another is second nature. You guys know I'm a little bit shy in person? and my introverted side thrived in this program. I don't talk as much in it but I am able to soak up knowledge like a sponge, quietly absorbing all the goodness this program has to offer.?

It's hot in Nairobi right now and I am typing this sitting on my balcony, enjoying the cool night air and sipping on a comforting mug of coffee. It's become a bit of a ritual for me, inspired by the wise words of NetworkChuck ,one of my favorite tech YouTubers. He always said that coffee and tech go hand in hand,it's an unwritten rule? and I've taken that to heart. Now, coffee and I have become the best of friends.

Before I wrap up this newsletter, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to all of you. Your support and encouragement have meant the world to me on this transformative journey. If you have any questions, thoughts, or simply want to connect, please don't hesitate to leave a comment below or send me a direct message. I'm always eager to hear about your own experiences and growth.

If you’d like to stay updated on my cyber adventures, subscribe to my newsletter for future updates and also connect with me on social media.

LinkedIn:https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/tessa-mmaitsi-057aa61b9/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/TessAngelika

With gratitude

?Tessa