First Steps
This is a beginning of an adventure. Possibly also a text adventure. I am taking my first steps into learning about cybersecurity, and I intend to write about it.
Cybersecurity. The word makes it sound like I’m turning into Judge Dredd. He was a futuristic robo-cop sort of guy, right? I always get 80s movies mixed up.
In reality, I’m a thirtysomething mum-of-two with a couple of degrees who wants to retrain (and perhaps a teensy bit of me wants to challenge that stereotype that advanced computing is a man’s domain).
What on Earth have I got myself into?
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My prior experience to date includes creating a text adventure in C++ (working title: The Lost Rabbit, it was a hardcore storyline with many cutscenes and cutting-edge graphics, ripe for a movie adaptation, about a rabbit who escapes from someone’s back garden). It was based on my houserabbit, Banacek.
The same year, I used C++ to make a simple four-operation calculator. Which I probably should have compiled as an app for iPads, since I bought an iPad mini earlier this year and discovered they don’t come with any way to crunch numbers. I should dig out that code.
I’ve worked extensively with HTML, both in an internship with Internet Archaeology, the open-source academic publisher based at The University of York, and while running and maintaining several different websites and a blog which I’ve had since 2014.
I’ve designed book covers and graphics for the romance industry and my Photoshop skills are above average.
I have also worked with 3D modelling, database management, analysis of aerial photography, GIS and geophysics as part of my MSc in Archaeological Information Systems.
But when it comes to all this cybersecurity stuff… I’m a total beginner. I am writing this blog to give myself some accountability as I learn, as well as keeping notes on what I am doing. I have ADHD and other fun brain-gremlins so accountability is important to me.
I don’t necessarily know where I’m going or what I’m doing, but it’s going to be an interesting journey and that makes it an adventure.
