Certifications & Education¶
For Hiring Managers
10 industry certifications plus 5 CompTIA stackable credentials aligned with GRC Engineering, Cloud Security, and Detection Engineering roles. CySA+ and PenTest+ earned 2026, unlocking the CSAP, CNVP, and CNSP stackables — detection and vulnerability-assessment coverage complete.
Certification Roadmap¶
gantt
title Certification Timeline — GRC + Detection Engineering Path
dateFormat YYYY-MM
axisFormat %b %Y
section Foundation
A+ (Complete) :done, 2024-02, 2024-03
Network+ (Complete) :done, 2025-01, 2025-02
Security+ (Complete) :done, 2025-01, 2025-02
CIOS – IT Ops (Complete) :done, 2025-01, 2025-02
CSIS – Secure Infra (Complete) :done, 2025-01, 2025-02
section Ops & Management
ITIL4 (Complete) :done, 2025-05, 2025-06
LPI Linux (Complete) :done, 2025-09, 2025-10
Project+ (Complete) :done, 2025-11, 2025-12
section Security Specialist
SSCP (Complete) :done, 2025-08, 2025-09
CySA+ (Complete) :done, 2026-02, 2026-03
CSAP (Complete) :done, 2026-02, 2026-03
PenTest+ (Complete) :done, 2026-03, 2026-04
CNSP (Complete) :done, 2026-03, 2026-04
CNVP (Complete) :done, 2026-03, 2026-04
section Cloud & GRC
AWS Cloud Practitioner :active, 2026-04, 2026-06
ISC2 CCSP :2026-07, 2026-09Figure: Gantt chart showing certification timeline from 2024–2026, organized by Foundation, Ops & Management, Security Specialist, and Cloud & GRC tracks. Completed certifications in green, active/planned in blue/gray.
Recently Earned — 2026¶
CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) ✅ Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and offensive security. Completes purple team positioning alongside CySA+. Offensive PenTest Purple Team Earned: March 2026
CNSP — Certified Network Security Practitioner ✅ Network security architecture, defense strategies, and secure infrastructure design. Validates hands-on network defense capability. Network Security Defense Infrastructure Earned: March 2026
CNVP — Certified Network Vulnerability Practitioner ✅ Vulnerability assessment, network scanning, and remediation strategies. Validates offensive network analysis skills. Vulnerability Assessment Network Earned: March 2026
CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-004) ✅ Threat detection, security analytics, incident response. Validates SOC analyst and detection engineering skills. Detection SIEM IR Earned: February 2026
CompTIA Security Analytics Professional (CSAP) ✅ Advanced analytics and detection specialization built on Security+ and CySA+. Validates purple team capability. Analytics Detection Stackable Earned: February 2026
Why these certifications matter:
- PenTest+ → Offensive security fundamentals complete purple team positioning
- CNSP/CNVP → CompTIA stackable credentials in network security and vulnerability assessment, earned from the Network+/Security+/PenTest+ progression
- CySA+ → Detection engineering roles require demonstrated threat analysis capability
- CSAP → Advanced analytics and detection specialization built on Security+ and CySA+
Active Certifications¶
Security & Risk¶
| Credential | Issued | Validates | Target Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) | Mar 2026 | Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, offensive security | Penetration Tester, Purple Team |
| CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-004) | Feb 2026 | Threat detection, security analytics, incident response | Detection Engineer, SOC |
| CompTIA CSAP (Stackable) | Feb 2026 | Advanced analytics and detection (Security+ + CySA+) | Detection Engineer, Security Engineer |
| CompTIA Security+ ce | Jan 2025 | Core security concepts, risk management, compliance | All security roles |
| CompTIA CNSP (Stackable) | Mar 2026 | Network security architecture, defense strategies, secure infrastructure (Network+ + PenTest+) | Network Security, Purple Team |
| CompTIA CNVP (Stackable) | Mar 2026 | Vulnerability assessment, network scanning, remediation (Network+ + CySA+) | Vulnerability Management, PenTest |
| ISC² SSCP | Aug 2025 | Security operations, access controls, incident response | SOC, Security Ops |
| CompTIA CSIS | Jan 2025 | Infrastructure security (Security+ + Network+ + A+) | Security Engineering |
Networking & Infrastructure¶
| Credential | Issued | Validates | Target Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Network+ ce | Jan 2025 | Network architecture, troubleshooting, security | Infrastructure Security |
| CompTIA A+ | Feb 2024 | Hardware, OS, troubleshooting fundamentals | Foundation |
| CompTIA CIOS | Jan 2025 | IT operations (Network+ + A+) | Operations |
| Linux Professional Institute (LPI) | Sep 2025 | Linux administration, command line, system management | Cloud/DevSecOps |
Management & Process¶
| Credential | Issued | Validates | Target Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITIL 4 Foundation | May 2025 | Service management, change control, incident management | GRC, Security Ops |
| CompTIA Project+ | Nov 2025 | Project management, stakeholder communication | Team Lead, GRC |
Planned — 2026¶
| Credential | Target | Why This Matters |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) | Q2 2026 | Validates cloud fundamentals for AWS security work |
| ISC² CCSP | Q3 2026 | Cloud security architecture, validates senior cloud security positioning |
Cloud roadmap rationale: AWS Control Pack portfolio project demonstrates hands-on cloud security. Certifications validate the underlying knowledge for hiring managers who require formal credentials.
Education¶
B.S. Cybersecurity & Information Assurance¶
Western Governors University | March 2026
Capstone: TraceLock™ — Multi-domain RF threat detection platform (patent filed)
Program coverage: - Security frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS) - Network security and architecture - Penetration testing and ethical hacking - Security operations and incident response - Cloud security fundamentals - Governance, risk, and compliance
Accelerated completion: Competency-based program allows certification stacking — 10 industry certifications plus 5 CompTIA stackable credentials earned during degree.
Licenses¶
| License / Credential | Issuer | Status | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot | FAA / U.S. DOT | Active | Legal commercial drone operations — validates AAM/UAS credibility |
| FCC Amateur Radio — Technician | FCC | Active | RF experimentation and emergency communications |
| FCC GMRS License | FCC | Active | Extended-range radio communications |
| OSHA 30-Hour General Industry | OSHA Training Institute | Active | Workplace safety and health — industrial/field operations |
| TWIC | TSA / U.S. Coast Guard | Active | Transportation Worker Identification Credential — secure federal facility and port access |
| AZ DPS Level One Fingerprint Clearance | Arizona DPS | Active | State background clearance |
Role Alignment¶
| Target Role | Key Certifications | Status |
|---|---|---|
| GRC Engineer | Security+, SSCP, ITIL4, Project+ | ✅ Ready |
| Cloud Security Engineer | Security+, Network+, AWS CP (planned), CCSP (planned) | 🔄 In Progress |
| Detection Engineer | Security+, SSCP, CySA+, CSAP | ✅ Ready |
| Security Analyst | Security+, CySA+, Network+ | ✅ Ready |
| Penetration Tester | PenTest+, CNSP, CNVP, Security+, Network+ | ✅ Ready |
Verification¶
All certifications verified via official channels:
- CompTIA: Credly profile
- ISC²: Member ID verifiable upon request
- FAA: Certificate available upon request